Wightlink's FastCat service is suspended from today (Saturday).
The cross-Solent operator said that due to a lack of demand in lockdown, the service is being stopped.
It's not known when it will return, despite lockdown being scheduled to end on December 2.
From Monday (16), Wightlink's Lymington-Yarmouth timetable will also be reduced. It will continue to support Island students who need to attend classes on the mainland. The first weekday sailing from Yarmouth will depart at 07:30 instead of 06:25.
Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says:
“We are sorry to suspend our FastCats and reduce sailings between Lymington and Yarmouth, however we will still be able to transport all essential travellers and supplies to the Isle of Wight on our remaining services.
“We will continue to monitor demand with a view to restoring services as soon as they become sustainable. Wightlink continue to work closely with the Isle of Wight Council Transport Infrastructure Board and the other cross Solent operators to make sure the Island has the essential services it needs at this difficult time.”
FastCat passenger numbers have now declined by 80% compared to last year, according to Wightlink.
Meanwhile, as previously reported, Hovertravel has announced extra crossings and a string of contingency plans should its services be cancelled due to adverse weather.
The firm says when bad weather suspends crossings it will operate a free dedicated bus from the terminal at Ryde to the Wightlink car ferry terminal at Fishbourne, during lockdown.
The bus will have a limited capacity of 35 passengers to maintain the appropriate social distancing and will not carry bikes.
The Hoverbus in Portsmouth will include an additional stop at the Wightlink Gunwharf Quays terminal and the weather contingency timetables for both buses can be found on Hovertravel's website here.
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