Passenger Transport

Local Ferry Services

Passenger ferries form vital links in Hampshire’s public transport network. Whilst usage varies from route to route, each of them is a strategic link either within the county or across local authority boundaries. There are four local ferries operating in Hampshire:-

• Hayling Island – Portsmouth (Eastney)
  (Operated by Hayling Ferry Ltd)
• Hythe – Southampton
  (Operated by White Horse Ferries)
• Hamble – Warsash
• Gosport - Portsmouth
  (Operated by Gosport Ferry Ltd)

These services together were used by 4.17 million passengers in 2004/5, and whilst these journeys are over relatively short distances, by using the ferry many people can avoid the need for much longer road journeys.

Hampshire County Council provides financial support for the Hayling and Hythe ferries, in partnership with our colleagues at Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils.  This means that services can operate throughout the year and in the evenings, at times when fare revenue is lowest.

In addition the County Council has occasionally provided grants for pontoon facilities at some of the ferry terminals, and there are also costs associated with licence fees to use harbour property under agreements with Langstone Harbour Board (at Hayling) and ABP (at Town Quay, Southampton).  

Planning a journey
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