On Friday, 25 November, Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, held a meeting with Sean Collins, Chief Executive Officer of MBNA Thames Clippers.
Co-founded by Mr Collins in 1999, Thames Clippers provide a river bus service on the Thames, including both commuter and tourist services. Thames Clippers operate a fleet of fifteen high-speed catamarans, which, following the maritime tradition of giving fleets connected names, all have names relating to meteorological features.
Further to correspondence between Greg and Mr Collins on behalf of local residents, Greg was glad to hear about the intended investment and expansion of Thames Clippers’ RB6 service between Putney Bridge and Blackfriars – the route most likely used by residents of Chelsea & Fulham – over the past three years. Thames Clippers currently carry more than 1,000 commuters each day on the RB6 route and, as Greg suggested in his correspondence, Thames Clippers have acknowledged that there is the need for an off-peak and weekend service. Mr Collins has also been discussing the Thames Clippers service with neighbouring MP for Putney, Justine Greening.
Speaking after their meeting, local Member of Parliament, Greg Hands, said: “I am glad that Thames Clippers’ CEO, Sean Collins, is seriously considering investing further in the local RB6 route that serves my constituents in Chelsea & Fulham, providing them with an alternative route into Central London.
“I should like to thank Mr Collins for our meeting, and I will keep my constituents updated as to Thames Clippers’ plans to begin off-peak and weekend services on our local route.”
More information on Thames Clippers can be found here.