CONDOR has hit back at a Jersey politician’s accusations that its fares had doubled during the last year, saying his claims were inaccurate and misleading.
Deputy Sean Power made the claim during an interview with Channel Television and said he planned to make a formal complaint to the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority.
But in a recent interview with the Guernsey Press, the new managing director of Condor assured customers that prices had not risen.
At the time, Simon Edsall (pictured) said: ‘The economics of ferry operations are that it’s a fixed cost base. What that means is that our costs are the same per trip no matter how many passengers we have. For the great majority of our sailings, we are not completely full. So what we are trying to achieve is maximising the number of people we take on our service each time – and you cannot do that by charging astronomical prices.
‘Our prices this year are no higher than they were last year.’
A Condor spokesman added yesterday: ‘Condor has a long-term commitment to providing a world-class service to the islands.
‘We are disappointed that recent criticisms relating to Condor’s fares and pricing structure are inaccurate and misleading.’
The claims by Deputy Power came less than a month after HD Ferries announced it would not be returning this year after a disastrous 2008. It aimed a parting shot at Condor, claiming the company had received preferential treatment from the States.
A statement from the Commerce and Employment Department insisted yesterday that Condor received no such treatment – and that any unreasonable price hikes would be investigated.
‘Despite what HD Ferries may claim, Condor enjoys no preferential treatment from either Jersey or Guernsey,’ the department said.
‘Condor has signed a memorandum of understanding with Guernsey on how it intends to operate the UK route and has committed to regular meetings with the External Transport Group and to giving prior notice of and holding prior discussions on any changes to schedules or fares, etc. Guernsey is discussing having a similar MOU for the French route.
‘Under the fluid pricing system operated by Condor, and by most airlines, the price you pay for a ticket depends on when you book it and like-for-like comparisons are very difficult. If we became aware of any unreasonable general price increases, we would raise it with Condor within the terms of the MOU.’
Article posted on 7th March, 2009 - 9.29am
8 Article Comments
If the majority of Condors sailings run ‘not completely full’ then for why cannot Condor offer last minute cheaper fares to fill these seats? Either through their port offices, or even better, an online facility.More people would travel if the fares were more reasonable. I would definately travel more, if I could simply afford to pay the fares.
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As someone who travels with Condor from the Continent may I say that despite teething problems when starting, the service they now offer is courteous and effecient.I often wonder that people snipe at costs of travel to the Channel Islands,but never mention how expensive it is once you get there?
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That still doesn’t explain why fares originating or terminating in the CI cost more than those between France and the UK, (where there are other operators) does it Mr. Edsall?
And you don’t really have to worry about ‘maximising the number of people we take’ for that proportion who are local and without another choice.
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During competition (Emeraude) £135 return to France with a car. No competition (post Emeraude) £260. Condor still has some answering to do and hopefully the Jersey competition comissioner can get an answer (fare reduction) from this monopoly service
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Sir,
With reference to Mr Edsall’s comment, Quote, “Our prices this year are no higher than they were last year,” unquote. I use Condor Ferries on a fairly regular basis travelling between the Channel Islands, and the Mainland, last year Condor were charging £84.00 return for a foot passenger, yet this year the charge has risen to £97.00.
Can Mr Edsall explain why he says that prices have not risen, when I know for a fact that they have?, also, can he explain why the price of the crossing has gone up, when in these days of global economical crisis, I would have though it more prudent to leave them as they were?
If this is the way Mr Edsall means to start running Condor, by raising the prises because the company have the monopoly on the crossing, then he will be setting him self up for a very rough ride by members of the public in both islands.
People can travel all over Europe for less money than it takes to get to Jersey, or Guernsey, so what is that doing to the visitor numbers to the islands.
Mr Edsall, think, before you raise prices any further, people can only take so much.
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What I would like to know why it is so much dearer to travel to the UK as it is to travel to France for a trip which is only slightly longer.
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Oh dear. Don’t people understand how operating a ferry company works? It’s just takes a little bit of common sense to realise that prices will be slightly higher than this time due to the rises in fuel costs in 2008. Of course travel is going to be higher. The Trident is now £9.75 to Herm, Isle of Sark is now £25.50 (which is dearer than a day trip to Jersey on Condor!!)
When you add the harbour dues (which Guernsey and Jersey have some of the highest in Europe) I think Condor offer a very good service.
Stop slagging them off. You’d all be lost without them
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But Jon it shouldnt have anything to do with fuel prices in 2008 because Condor added quite a hefty surcharge to cover this. Having recently booked to go to France with them, I note a surcharge is still there. I did question it with the staff there because fuel prices have come down substantially. She said it has come down from last year but that Condor have always added a fuel surcharge for many years. But you are right, we’d be lost without them. We don’t have a choice though eh?
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