After digging that mega expensive channel tunnel in the 90's, why are there STILL ferries operating?

Question

between Dover and Calais.

Is there insufficient capacity in the tunnel for all traffic that needs to use it.

It seems silly to take 90 minutes (ferry time) to do the crossing when the tunnel takes only 30 minutes.

I mean - when they built a bridge across to the island of Skye, the ferry stopped operation, yet on the channel...

Answer 1

It's £30 for a person plus car on Speedferries Dover-Bolougne which takes 50 minutes. The Tunnel is £145 and takes 30 mins to Calais which is further north than Boloughne - no contest.

Answer 2

Yes the tunnel only takes 30 minutes except when something goes wrong and everyone is stuck under the channel for a few hours, not good for people with claustrophobia. If I wanted a trip over to Europe I think I'd stick to the ferry, it may take 90 minutes but at least I'd know that's all it will take and wouldn't have to gamble whether the tunnel is operating to time or not.

Answer 3

Numpty.. P&O didn't think "omg there's tunnel now! we need sell off our ships and go out of business" they've just had to compete in terms of cost rather than time. End of the day all trans-channel travel is privately owned business. Skye bridge and ferry were both government subsidised so they weren't in competition.

Answer 4

OK, not your fault, you have been "educated" by a bunch of left-wing morons with their world views stuck in the 60's who have never had to do a real job in their lives and thus have no concept of real world business operations.

You need to do some research.

Start with "Capitalism" and move on to "Profit and Loss in Business"

Hint - in the real world 'they' offer various levels of services to consumers at a price the consumers are willing to pay ..

Unlike the UK "Education" system, where money is stolen from consumers (Tax payers) in exchange for fixed level of sub-standard service.

Answer 5

Maybe people like to travel on water and not under it?