Two sides ΄up in arms΄ over Vidos shuttle service
Vidos
18 Jul 2022
/ 13:40
CORFU. The private shuttle service is undercutting the price of the municipal service.
"War" has broken out at the Old Port over the Vidos shuttle service due to the position of the kiosks for the municipal and private services.
The private boat has had to give one of the two positions it had until recently to the municipal boat 'Agios Stefanos'.
The dispute ended up at Corfu Port Authority and the municipal boat has been given permission to set up its ticket kiosk and mooring spot at the location made available following the removal of the 'Calypso'.
Apparently there were dramatic scenes and on Sunday the private boat retaliated by dropping the price of its ticket to just €1 and changing its timetable so that its shuttle service departs just before the municipal one. Previously, the municipal and private services had the same price - €3 for return ticket.
"Sea battle"
Matters came to a head in the sea on the afternoon of the same day when the two boats came close to colliding due to a conflict over who had priority - it is not clear whether or not this was accidental. According to the skipper of the municipal boat, it was absolutely clear that he had right of way.
Number of trips cut
The municipal shuttle service has been hit once again by this conflict, losing a number of its customers to the private service, which is offering the same service for a third of the price.
The problem with the municipal boat's income became clear from the beginning and the skipper informed the municipality of the competition and asked for a solution - either a subsidy for the tickets or a reduction in the number of trips.
According to the skipper, the municipality told him that it would be very difficult to provide a subsidy. Until some kind of support is decided upon, he has reduced the number of trips to the island, with the last service now being at 19:30, so that he can save on fuel costs and on the second shift.
Social policy
It should be noted that the municipal boat is leased by the municipality to a third party with specific terms and conditions in the contract regarding the number of trips, ticket price and free shuttle services for specific groups such as children, special needs, elderly etc. as part of the municipality's social policy.
The competition which appeared this year as well as the increase in fuel prices led to a reduction in the number of evening shuttle services - leaving the way open for Ikos restaurant to have almost exclusive use of the island.
Things are looking bleak for the municipal shuttle service and the accessibility of the island on its doorstep to the Corfu public.
With the market being free for anyone to take initiatives, it seems that the only body that can legally regulate the situation and support the community aspect of the island is the municipality itself.
The private boat has had to give one of the two positions it had until recently to the municipal boat 'Agios Stefanos'.
The dispute ended up at Corfu Port Authority and the municipal boat has been given permission to set up its ticket kiosk and mooring spot at the location made available following the removal of the 'Calypso'.
Apparently there were dramatic scenes and on Sunday the private boat retaliated by dropping the price of its ticket to just €1 and changing its timetable so that its shuttle service departs just before the municipal one. Previously, the municipal and private services had the same price - €3 for return ticket.
"Sea battle"
Matters came to a head in the sea on the afternoon of the same day when the two boats came close to colliding due to a conflict over who had priority - it is not clear whether or not this was accidental. According to the skipper of the municipal boat, it was absolutely clear that he had right of way.
Number of trips cut
The municipal shuttle service has been hit once again by this conflict, losing a number of its customers to the private service, which is offering the same service for a third of the price.
The problem with the municipal boat's income became clear from the beginning and the skipper informed the municipality of the competition and asked for a solution - either a subsidy for the tickets or a reduction in the number of trips.
According to the skipper, the municipality told him that it would be very difficult to provide a subsidy. Until some kind of support is decided upon, he has reduced the number of trips to the island, with the last service now being at 19:30, so that he can save on fuel costs and on the second shift.
Social policy
It should be noted that the municipal boat is leased by the municipality to a third party with specific terms and conditions in the contract regarding the number of trips, ticket price and free shuttle services for specific groups such as children, special needs, elderly etc. as part of the municipality's social policy.
The competition which appeared this year as well as the increase in fuel prices led to a reduction in the number of evening shuttle services - leaving the way open for Ikos restaurant to have almost exclusive use of the island.
Things are looking bleak for the municipal shuttle service and the accessibility of the island on its doorstep to the Corfu public.
With the market being free for anyone to take initiatives, it seems that the only body that can legally regulate the situation and support the community aspect of the island is the municipality itself.
