May 9, 2001 Hoverspeed will be the selling agents for the Transmanche Ferries freight ship, Sardinia Vera, as the company begins carrying passengers on the Newhaven - Dieppe route from week commencing 14 May. The agency agreement with Transmanche will provide a year round passenger ferry service between Newhaven and Dieppe for the first time since 1998. Augmenting their seasonal high speed craft service, Hoverspeed will be concentrating on generating coach business - which the Seacat cannot carry - in addition to increasing car and caravan traffic onto the conventional ferry. Hoverspeed's potential to sell into the coach market signals a new development for the fast ferry operator. The company re-introduced the Newhaven - Dieppe route in 1999 and has firmly re-established the service as a popular cross channel option for travellers preferring a direct link into Normandy. Sardinia Vera currently operates a freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe with two sailings daily from Saturday to Friday. Crossing time is 4 hours, with departures from Newhaven at 0900 and from Dieppe at 1600. Hoverspeed's high speed Seacat service provides a crossing time of just 2 hours with up to 3 return sailings daily in peak periods. The service operates from 30 March to 31 October. Passenger and vehicle fares start from £15 return for day trip foot passengers and £59 for a car and up to five passengers. Three day returns for a car and 5 passengers start from £129 and 5 Days from £195. For the coach and group market, based on a coach and a maximum of 55 passengers, fares start from £220 for a 36 hour return, £300 for a 72 hour return and £470 standard single. Reservations for Transmanche Ferries and Hoverspeed's Seacat services can be made by calling Hoverspeed on 08705 240241.Press Release Media contact: Nick Stevens, Public Relations Manager Telephone: (01304) 865170 |