Hovertravel is adding late-night services between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight over the August Bank Holiday weekend as Ryde prepares for a busy period of tourism and hospitality activity.
The operator will run additional evening crossings from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August, with the final service from Ryde scheduled for 11.45pm.
The extra capacity comes as the town expects increased visitor numbers during the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally, which runs from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August and traditionally attracts thousands of people to Ryde.
Hovertravel says the later timetable is intended to give passengers greater flexibility while also supporting businesses which benefit from the evening economy.
Restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues across Ryde are expected to see increased trade over the weekend, with a programme of live music and events taking place alongside the scooter rally.
Venues including Ryde Pavilion, the Royal Esplanade Hotel and Rocket Ronnies are among those hosting entertainment during the weekend.
The move also reflects Hovertravel’s wider summer strategy of extending operating hours during periods of increased demand.
Loretta Lale, Head of Marketing at Hovertravel, said: “Every year, the August Bank Holiday weekend is the opportunity to catch the latest flights of the year, so we want people to take advantage of them. Whether you are planning a special meal, meeting friends for drinks or simply want to experience Ryde after dark, there is no need to rush home.
“Being able to leave the Isle of Wight as late as 23:45 means you can enjoy a proper evening out and still be back in Portsmouth that night. With some fantastic restaurants just a short walk from our Ryde terminal, it is a great opportunity to enjoy a taste of Island nightlife without needing to book an overnight stay. And for our PO postcode customers, HoverBlue fares makes it even easier to make the most of an evening on the Island.”
The additional crossings are part of Hovertravel’s programme of late summer services and come at a key trading period for businesses in Ryde and the wider Isle of Wight visitor economy.
Passengers are being advised to check the timetable before travelling.
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