Excuses from Red Funnel – Isle of Wight Observer News

Dear Editor,

In issue 280 I wrote, in Soapbox, about how ferry costs had stopped my wife and I having a short mainland break to celebrate her 60th birthday. The discount vouchers expired before the return journey.

It’s now July 11, and I’m still waiting for Fran Co££ins “Big Book of Red Funnel Savings”. I needed to travel in early August and, just like last month, no discounts, bookings getting fewer, and prices top whack. Where are my ‘offers’? Phoned customer services this morning. Apologies, would “email them through”. The books are issued with instructions to Royal Mail, that they be delivered by the 1st of the month.

Some hours later, no email. Chased them up. Spoke to a different operative. Thus the revelations began.

“It’s the distributor’s fault.” Abdication of responsibility. “We’re not obliged to issue the book to everyone.” Grace and favour?

“We deliver in bulk to Royal Mail, who distribute them as they choose.” I asked if they chose to deliver them all to Lynn Bottom, would they have fulfilled their obligation?

On drawing to her attention the fare would constitute about 75 per cent of my weekly pension, I was ‘comforted’ by “If we received government subsidies, Red Funnel wouldn’t have to charge so much. Hopefully the new MP should be able to do something.” She then got very stressed and argumentative and, like a true ‘pro’, hung up.

This is disgusting. A privately-owned, greed-ridden monopoly. Thatcherism in action – yet crying ‘shame’ that the government will not bail them out. Really?

Meanwhile, those in reduced circumstances, and those that will not submit to capitalist injustice, will have to wait for their new MPs to show they are worthy.

Dick Swanhill, Brading