Latest news with #DFDS
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Brittany Ferries: 'Morel's comments are ridiculous'
A ferry company has hit back at claims made by Jersey's economic development minister, that problems with the inter-island ferry service are due to Guernsey ending the joint tender process before Jersey had made its decision. A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries, which won the Guernsey contract, said there must be "something in the deputy's water" after the comments from Deputy Kirsten made the comments after DFDS, Jersey's ferry operator had to cancel several inter island sailings because of tide and staffing Ferries described Morel's comments as "ridiculous." Initial plans for a single provider to serve both islands were disrupted last year when Guernsey announced they had chosen Brittany Ferries before Jersey had made it's decision. Jersey later chose DFDS leaving the two islands with separate DFDS was selected as Jersey's ferry operator, Morel said while an inter-island service wasn't a formal part of the tender process it was something the company understood it would have to asked if in hindsight an inter-island service should have been a formal part of the ferry tender process, Morel said: "What happened is that Guernsey ended the joint process and we had to go alone on our own process which meant we couldn't include Guernsey in that. So it's a moot point."Guernsey controls its own port and as I understand it prioritises the use of its port for that operator so it wasn't possible for us without having any of the information they had to include it in the tender process."It's had an effect on the inter-island service." In response to the minister's comments, Brittany Ferries said in a statement: "There must be something in the deputy's water. There can be no other explanation for such a ridiculous response to the withdrawal of DFDS inter-island services."No doubt, Jersey residents and businesses will see through this for what is."Just a reminder: the reason DFDS were disqualified from the first bid process was a clause that allowed them to change schedules on whim, up prices at their convenience and change service levels with impunity.""Et voila, Deputy Morel: all your chickens are coming home to roost."DFDS has been contacted for a comment.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
DFDS cancels some weekly inter-island ferry services
A ferry company has cancelled some of its weekly sailings to Guernsey from began the service in June after calls for a reliable link between the islands and it offered a return trip every Monday, saying it would consider putting on more if there was company launched its ferry routes to and from Jersey in March after winning a government contract to operate sailings for the next 20 years, with Brittany Ferries continuing for said a lack of staff and problems with the tides meant some crossings would be cancelled. A spokesperson said: "We have taken the decision to cancel some upcoming sailings which will impact on inter-island services during the summer. "We can confirm that this is not a planned reduction in inter-island crossings and that our customers have been made aware of these amendments. "We have tried to not disrupt journeys as much as possible by accommodating passengers on the next available ferry but apologise to those who have been affected by these schedule changes." 'Build for long-term' Ian Cuming, from the Jersey Sports Council, said DFDS had to create a plan to improve its services for the future."I think we need to have a conversation with DFDS to find out what their issues are," he said."Presumably it's commercial and then what can we build for the long-term to create a better inter-island service - both for passengers and for people who want to take equipment, cars, horses, boats, whatever, across [to] the other islands."Antiques dealer Stephen Cohu said the timetable had not been helpful and the cancellations were affecting his trade with Guernsey."We used to be able to go over for the day, get a day trip, go and pick it all up or they would send it over," he said. "We literally need to go and pick up half a car full of stuff. We've got to stay in Guernsey for a week."
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
The Best European Cities For Cycling, According To New Analysis
Young woman in green dress riding a bicycle on a street of Paris, near the Eiffel tower getty Cycling while traveling abroad isn't just a budget-friendly alternative — it's a great way to get a feel for a new city while taking in the landmarks and historic neighborhoods on two wheels. Biking as a form of transportation is more common than ever in many cities, but there are still certain destinations that are more bike-friendly than others. The ferry and cruise operator DFDS looked at a number of popular European cities, looking at factors like cycling infrastructure and designated bike trails, flatness, rain and wind, and social media searches, to best understand the cities that stand out for cyclists while traveling abroad. Here are the best European cities for cycling, according to the new analysis: Young romantic couple of tourists using bicycles near the Eiffel tower in Paris, France getty Is there anything more romantic than a bike ride through the winding streets of Paris? The capital of France earned first spot due to its comprehensive network of over a thousand kilometers of cycling lanes throughout the city, which makes it easy to get to the biggest tourist spots and landmarks via bicycle. It also boasts a flatness score of 9.2, which makes cycling more pleasurable than exerting. Munich earned second place on the list thanks to its network of bike trails in and out of the city center. There are plenty of bike routes that start in the center of town and lead directly out of the city, including the Isar Cycle Path on the River Isar and the M-Wasserweg to Lake Tegernsee. Helsinki HELSINKI, FINLAND: Bicycles for rent in Helsinki, Finland. There are 1400 Alepa bikes in the city. getty The extensive cycle network in Helsinki makes this Finnish city another appealing option for cyclists. The city is easy to get around by bike but also has marked routes in parks and natural landmarks that allow cyclists to enjoy a more leisurely bike ride through its forests rather than just cycling for transportation purposes. Amsterdam Amsterdam might be one of the most famous cycling destinations in the world — and it's easy to see why. There are more than 400 kilometers of cycling paths throughout the city and cycling is one of the main modes of transportation in Holland, which means drivers and pedestrians are used to cyclists and make it easy to get into the flow of cycling culture without necessarily disrupting traffic or local life. Strasbourg Street with cyclists at sunset in Strasbourg, France getty The second French city on the list, Strasbourg boasts more than 600 kilometers of cycling paths throughout the city. In recent years the city has seen a shift from cars to public transportation and cycling as the main form of transportation, which makes cycling through the city pleasant and easy. Frankfurt Frankfurt is the second German city on the list and boasts both cycling lanes for transportation and paths in nature for more pleasant and leisurely bike rides. It boasts 10 kilometers of bike lanes per 10,000 people, which is the third highest on the list. Lyon Bikers passing through Place des Jacobins, Lyon, France getty The third French city on the list, Lyon boasts an impressive 870 kilometers of cycling lanes all over the city. The cycling routes are designed for commuters but can easily get travelers to all the biggest landmarks and historic neighborhoods in the city. Stockholm Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities to get lost in while cycling, the water views juxtaposed against historic buildings and more than a thousand kilometers of bike lanes makes cycling through this city an activity in and of itself even if you're just getting from point A to point B. Ghent Sunrise view on the water channel with beautiful old buildings with woman standing near the bicycles in Ghent city getty The only Belgian city to make the list, it's very common for locals in Ghent to opt to cycle as their main form of transportation over driving. The city has the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe, which makes it a much more relaxing destination for amateur cyclists. Lille Lille is the fourth French city on the list and earned its spot thanks to the abundance of cycling routes and trails that lead from the city center into the countryside. It has also been accredited with the Accueil Vélo label, affirming even further its status as a cyclist-friendly city.
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
Scotland to Europe ferry continues to face delays
No further progress has been made since it was announced in January that the Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry was expected to be delayed until spring 2026. The National reported at the time that this was due to issues with border control in Rosyth and continued funding delays. And now, DFDS, the ferry operator planning the route, has confirmed that no progress has been made since then. READ MORE: 'Long overdue': Scotland reacts as UK voting aged lowered to 16 French outlet Connexion reports that the Rosyth port requires an upgrade before the service can launch. DFDS has already asked the Scottish Government for grants to cover the cost of installing passenger-handling facilities and customs-related equipment at Rosyth. A spokesperson for DFDS told Connexion: Given the time that it will take to get the service up and running, that means I do not see the service starting this summer." Earlier this month, Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill said discussions set to take place in the coming weeks. She told Parliament on July 2: "My officials are in touch with the company behind the new proposed new route and relevant Scottish Government and DEFRA officials are looking at arranging a meeting as early as next week to look at possible solutions that would allow this project to go ahead." READ MORE: 'Disturbed': MP hits out after armed police threaten peaceful pro-Palestine protester The Scottish Government has previously said that it supports the development of Scotland's ports and the potential for new passenger ferry services linking it to mainland Europe. DFDS reportedly has a ship for the route, while Dunkirk port has said it is fully ready for the service to begin. The route is expected to run three weekly return sailings. Once operational, it is estimated that around 80,000 passengers will use the service each year.
ITV News
15-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Jersey visitor numbers plummet compared to 2024 as business group raises concerns
New figures have revealed a significant drop in Jersey visitor numbers compared with 2024. The latest statistics from Visit Jersey show a 24% decrease in visitors across May, with 53,000 people travelling to the island - 17,000 fewer than during the same period last year. This is mainly down to fewer overnight stays, although there were also 2,400 fewer day trips. From January to May, 71,500 people came to Jersey for leisure, almost a quarter down on 2024. However, there was more business travel with an extra 3,700 trips to Jersey. Tim Crowley from the Jersey Chamber of Commerce says the overall trend is worrying. He explains: "It is very concerning, and the concern now is that when we get into the winter, businesses rely on cash to get them through. "All the markets are down, I know Ireland is down 10%, so we are seeing similarities but we are down more, and we have to ask ourselves why and what we can do about it." Separate data from the Ports of Jersey also revealed a decline in the number of passengers travelling from Saint Malo. In April, the number of passengers from the French city was 24% lower compared to the previous year. In May, the decline was even more pronounced with a nearly 50% drop from 20,637 visitors in 2024, against 11,142 this year. Speaking to ITV News, Visit Jersey points to data showing the average length of stay increasing in the island, as well as surveys showing people are more likely to recommend Jersey as a destination. Operator DFDS took over the island's ferry service at the end of March 2025 and Chris Parker, Jersey Route Director, says: "DFDS remains committed to providing high-quality travel to Jersey, focusing on increasing visitors to the island and their customer experience. "Since we launched our services in March, we have introduced day trips between Jersey and St Malo, providing more opportunities for islanders and visitors alike to explore and enjoy travel across the Channel. "We have also launched our new inter-island service, strengthening Jersey's connection to Guernsey and ensuring there are convenient ways to travel between the two islands. "We are working closely with Visit Jersey and other partners to promote Jersey as a destination; we have a joint campaign with Visit Jersey, which will run through the summer. "We are also introducing new offers, including short break fares, which we are launching today."
