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FAQs: Torpoint Ferry
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Who gets priority loading on to ferries?
We operate some priority arrangements for certain vehicles, falling into two categories. A higher level of priority is given to emergency service vehicles and in-service public transport buses. We aim to get these vehicles loaded and unloaded as quickly as…
Why don’t the ferries run exactly to time every time?
On occasions we may run a few minutes late or slightly out of sequence. Various factors that affect our schedules include: Shipping movements (see separate section) Periods of high demand for the service, especially at peak traffic times when a…
Delays – Why do you say that there are no delays when I’m sitting in the lanes waiting for a ferry and there are none on the slipway?
We use similar terminology to any other public transport network. If you arrive before the scheduled departure time for a train or a bus and have to wait to be boarded before the scheduled departure, your journey would not be…
Why do we sometimes let vehicles out of lanes to queue by slipways before a ferry has arrived?
We aim to avoid this practice where reasonably possible, but there are occasions where high demand may impact on the wider road network and therefore, we proactively try to avoid unreasonable congestion on approach roads.
How are buses handled?
We are often asked about the rules for buses using the ferries. Both Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council are committed to providing a reliable and efficient public transport network for their communities. This helps to reduce road traffic congestion…
Are there any reasons why some traffic lanes are not filled in a standard sequence?
We are often asked why we don’t complete the loading of lanes in sequenced order i.e., start loading at the front of lane A, fill it, then repeat in lane B, etc. There are a number of key considerations that…
What is the Priority Lane for?
As a matter of routine, the Priority Lane is restricted for use of blue light emergency vehicles, in-service buses (see separate section for full details), motorbikes and cycles (see separate section for full details). There are also a limited number…
How are motorcycles and cycles loaded onto ferries
For safety and efficiency, motorcyclists and cyclists are held together in the Priority Lanes (Lane 11 Devonport or Lane 7 Torpoint), segregated from other vehicles and called forward to the slipways with a green traffic light. As a result, motorcyclists…
As a motorcyclist, if I arrive at the last minute can I still board the ferry?
All vehicles must arrive in the queueing lanes in time for the scheduled departure in order to be loaded on to that departure if space is available. In line with other transportation networks, the ferry’s departure time is the time…
As a motorcyclist, do I have to use the priority lane when it is quiet?
To access the ferries during the Control Tower manned hours, motorcycles and bicycles must queue in lane 7 at Torpoint and lane 11 at Devonport and adhere to the traffic control signals, waiting to be called forward on demand.To access…
Why do cycles and motorbikes get priority?
Motorcycles and cycles are not provided a priority loading status, but for their own safety and to optimise loading they need to be treated differently from cars and other bigger vehicles. The current processes for loading the ferries and the…
Why doesn’t someone ‘pull up’ all the vehicles so there are smaller gaps in between them, therefore making room for more vehicles?
Pulling up vehicles to the absolute minimum is labour intensive and will slow down the overall loading if extra crew are not available to complete the task. Also, the process does not always achieve the desired effect, as the additional…