Passengers 'angry' after Condor Christmas change

Condor's schedule changes mean Deputy Victoria Oliver can no longer see her mum on her birthday

Condor Ferries' customers have said they are "annoyed" and "angry" at the company's decision to change schedules over Christmas.

The alterations mean Deputy Victoria Oliver would not see her mother before Christmas on her birthday, while Gary Trimbee-Laine has had to take more time off work, they have both told the BBC.

A spokesman for Brittany Ferries and Condor said their "cross-Channel capacity has been increased over the Christmas and new year period".

Chair of Jersey's Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel Montfort Tadier has submitted an urgent question for Thursday's States meeting about the schedule changes.

The ferry firms have said services on offer would be "sufficient to meet the seasonal demand" despite the criticism.

The Condor Liberation is due to re-enter service on 19 December after maintenance, according to the companies.

While the Commodore Clipper is set to be chartered to Brittany Ferries, the parent company of Condor - with the option for it to be used in the Channel Islands if it is needed for "resilience".

A 'lose-lose'

Before Condor Ferries changed its schedules, Deputy Oliver said she was leaving Guernsey on 21 December to go to the UK to see her in-laws for Christmas.

"Unfortunately, Condor cancelled that boat and gave the choice of 19 or 27 December."

She said the change meant she would not be in Guernsey for her mother's birthday on 20 December.

She said: "We were leaving on the 21 December to go to the UK to see my husband's parents for Christmas, as it was my mum's birthday on 20 December.

"I am really annoyed. Covid stopped my mum having a big party on her last big birthday. It's a lose-lose for me - I upset one set of parents or the other."

Gary Trimbee-Laine said the situation has made him angry and concerned about the future of island ferries

'Angry' at changes

Guernsey resident Gary Trimbee-Laine criticised the decision to change the schedules at Christmas.

"It's meant I've had to take an extra day-and-a-half of annual leave and my manager was not happy, as he'll have to find cover."

Mr Trimbee-Laine said he was "really angry" about the changes to the schedule, despite being re-booked on the Condor Islander with a cabin.

"Having to change my holiday time has just left a bad taste in my mouth," he said.

He was initially offered a space on the Condor Liberation, which he said was an issue as his wife was "petrified" of sailing on the fast-ferry in autumn and winter.

Brittany Ferries has said the "Condor Liberation resumes service on 19 December after her annual maintenance and will operate additional sailings from Poole.

"Commodore Goodwill and Condor Islander are also running six and seven days per week respectively to keep the islands connected and supplied," it also said.

Deputy Oliver said she was also concerned about having to rely on the Liberation during winter: "I am nervous it may not run around Christmas."

Committee for Economic Development President Deputy Neil Inder said he would sign a contract for Brittany Ferries to run ferry services to and from Guernsey on Tuesday, but that did not happened and the States of Guernsey has not commented on the delay.

The Commodore Clipper will be chartered to Brittany Ferries in December.

'Concerned about future ferries'

Oliver said she believed the Christmas schedules had been put out to show Condor and Brittany Ferries were good operators while the bidding war to run the island's services went on earlier this year.

"It feels like Condor has put on a good service to get the contract in Guernsey and, once it is secured, they've taken them away.

"The inconvenience is absolutely ridiculous, I'm really concerned about the future. It does put a lot of doubt in my mind about the future just weeks after the company was announced as Guernsey's prefered bidder."

Last month, Guernsey's States selected Brittany Ferries as its preferred bidder to run its sealinks for the next 15 years.

Mr Trimbee-Laine said he was equally concerned about the future for Guernsey's ferry links.

He said: "If this is what we've got to look forward to in the future, this is quite appalling."