Access to the fast ferry to the UK has been restored for disabled passengers after a lift onboard the DFDS boat was repaired “ahead of schedule”.
It comes after months of complaints from passengers with disabilities who were re-routed via Portsmouth.
The delay in repairing the lift was due to “the need for bespoke, specialist parts”, according to DFDS’s head of customer experience Steve Garner.
Accessible travel is a core part of our commitment to inclusive service, and we understand how important reliable accessibility is to many of our passengers
Steve Garner, Head of Customer Experience at DFDS
He said the company “sincerely regrets” disruption caused by the lift on the Levante Jet, the fast ferry to the UK, being out of service.
Earlier this year, Express reported on a Jersey wheelchair user who was left unable to board the DFDS fast ferry to Poole – and forced to endure a nine-hour slow boat to England instead.
At the time, commercial drone photographer James Bedding said: “This situation is completely unacceptable for anyone with a disability, as well as for elderly passengers who rely on lift access to board and disembark the ship.
“It effectively prevents disabled and elderly passengers from using the DFDS fast ferry to the UK during this period.”
The matter was escalated to Jersey’s Chief Minister, who said the government “continues to impress on the operator that the lift on board this essential service must be repaired as soon as possible”.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham said: “The operating agreement sets performance standards relating to customer satisfaction, and passenger feedback is being closely monitored by the government as part of its oversight of these services.”
Mr Garner explained yesterday that accessible travel was “a core part of [DFDS’s] commitment to inclusive service”.
He said: “We understand how important accessibility is to many of our passengers.
“We remain committed to supporting all our customers and ensuring their journeys are as smooth and inclusive as possible, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on board.”
DFDS said that all passengers were now able to use the ferry.
