Alderney-Guernsey Ferry Tender Fails as Subsidised Service Is Scrapped After Unsuccessful Bids

Alderney’s subsidised ferry tender has collapsed, and passengers are already paying for it. On June 4, 2026, the States of Alderney’s Economic Development Committee reviewed the procurement process for the 2026 seasonal inter-island ferry service and decided it was not in a position to award a subsidy to any provider. The EDC rejected all bids on reliability grounds, stating the information provided did not demonstrate the capacity to deliver a resilient service for the 2026 season. 

The result is immediate and practical: Alderney Ferry Services, the incumbent operator since 2022, continues to run the route, but without the public subsidy that kept fares affordable. Ticket prices have risen with immediate effect, and the summer season connecting Alderney to Guernsey now runs entirely on commercial terms.

Why the EDC Rejected Every Bid

The Economic Development Committee did not reject the bids over cost; it rejected them over reliability assurance.

EDC Chair Stuart Clark said: “This is not a decision we have come to lightly. However, the investment of public funds in the current financial climate must be supported by both quantitative and qualitative factors to satisfy internal and external scrutiny.” The Committee was “not satisfied that the tender criteria were met to provide the required assurances to warrant such an investment of public funds.” The EDC confirmed it will continue investigating various options and connectivity models going forward.

What It Means for Passengers: Fares Rise Immediately

The subsidy removal has a direct and measurable impact on anyone travelling between the two islands.

Alderney Ferry Services co-directors Dan and Charlie confirmed fare increases with immediate effect following the subsidy decision. The operators wrote: “The SoA subsidy helped us to keep our ticket prices at a reduced rate. Without the subsidy we have had no choice but to increase our fares.”

For context, the 2025 subsidised fares were:

• Adult one-way: £60
• Child one-way (under 14): £45
• Babies under 2: Free
• Dogs and cycles: £5 one-way
• Large luggage: No extra charge

All of those rates are now subject to revision upward under the unsubsidised commercial model.

The Operator’s Position: Service Continues Despite the Loss

Alderney Ferry Services is not walking away, but the operating environment is harder.

Despite not receiving the subsidy, the owners confirmed they remain committed to providing the vital sea link between the islands. “Whilst this is not the decision we hoped for, we would like to assure our passengers that we remain committed to providing this vital sea link,” wrote Dan and Charlie. The service has operated continuously since 2022, including through the 2025 season when the contract included an option to extend into 2026 and 2027, an option the EDC chose not to exercise in favour of a competitive tender process that ultimately failed to produce a viable bid.

What Comes Next for Alderney’s Connectivity

The EDC’s decision leaves a gap that will need a structural answer before the 2027 season.

• The Alderney–Jersey service, operated by WaterTaxi CI, continues; the EDC agreed to support that route following a successful 2025 trial 
• The Alderney–Guernsey route remains commercially operational under Alderney Ferry Services at higher fares
• The EDC confirmed it will “investigate various options and models to strengthen connectivity in the future”
• No timeline has been set for a new subsidised tender process

The failure of the 2026 ferry tender is a small but pointed example of a challenge facing island communities across the Channel Islands balancing public fund accountability with the practical reality that thin-margin transport routes often cannot survive without subsidy. Track the latest updates from the States of Alderney at alderney.gov.gg and Guernsey Press at guernseypress.com.

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