[N]ew ticketing arrangements will be in place in time for Easter on the Windermere Ferry.
From Wednesday (28 March) the current on-shore ticket machines will be turned off, with passengers asked to purchase tickets on-board the ferry. New handheld ticketing machines [picture link below] will allow ferry staff to take payments by cash or card during the journey.
Trials of the new handheld devices have been successful, with positive feedback from passengers and ferry staff.
By the summer holidays, e-tickets and permits will be available to purchase online, along with further service improvements.
Cllr Janet Willis, Cabinet Member for Customer Service, said: “We’ve listened to the issues that people raised and are implementing this change in time for the busy Easter period. Our aim is to make it as easy and quick as possible to purchase tickets and the customer feedback from the trials has been good. In the longer term, providing a range of different options for ticket purchase will improve things even further. I’d welcome people’s feedback as we make these changes.”
Windermere’s Conservative councillor, Ben Berry, has welcomed Cumbria County Council’s decision to scrap shore-based ticket machines on Windermere Ferry following a community campaign.
Councillor Berry urged Cumbria’s Labour and Liberal Democrat-run authority to carry out an urgent review into the shore-based ticket system, which was causing long delays and lost revenue to the ferry and local firms.
The review concluded the new system wasn’t working, and Cumbria County Council decided to axe the machines in favour of taking payment on board.
Cllr Ben Berry says, “The scrapping of the shore-based ticketing system is a victory for common sense, and not a minute too soon, as businesses, commuters and tourists alike were suffering.
“This is a real community victory and I’m pleased that the council finally listened.”
