Hovertravel launches Sensory Journey Guide in celebration of Purple Tuesday
Transport company Hovertravel took part in the national initiative dedicated to improving the customer experience for disabled people, Purple Tuesday last week, by unveiling its new Sensory Journey Guide, designed to help travellers plan and prepare for their journey across the Solent.
Loretta Lale, Head of Marketing and Digital Development at Hovertravel, said: “At Hovertravel, we believe everyone should be able to travel with confidence and comfort.”
“Our new Sensory Journey Guide is one part of our ongoing commitment to accessible travel — empowering customers with information so their journey is more predictable, and ensuring our team is ready to offer assistance wherever needed.”
The Sensory Journey Guide is available online via the Hovertravel website and outlines what customers might experience in terms of sights, sounds, smells and feelings at each stage of their journey. It covers the Ryde Terminal, the hovercraft crossing, and the Southsea Terminal.
Topics within the guide include busy passenger queues, vending machines, and terminal noise; Hovercraft noises, such as engines, alarms, announcements, and vibrations; sensory aspects of embarkation, disembarkation, ramps and steps; the influence of weather and sea conditions, and the possibility of seating near strangers or pets.
The guide is intended to help passengers plan proactively and to reduce uncertainty, such as knowing when to expect louder moments, visual stimuli, or movement.
If travellers have specific sensory or accessibility needs, they are invited to get in touch in advance at hovercare@hovertravel.com or call 0345 222 0461 so the team can work with them. Hovertravel’s staff are trained and ready to help.
Hovertravel says it has long invested in accessible travel, and recent years have seen a series of initiatives to raise standards across operations. In 2024, Hovertravel was awarded Leader status in the Government’s Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme, the highest accreditation level for accessible transport providers.
In past years, projects have included installation of a Changing Places toilet at the Southsea terminal enhanced terminal access, upgraded hearing loops, and digital accessibility tools such as Recite Me for its website.
Hovertravel was one of the first cross-Solent ferry operators to adopt a hidden disabilities (Sunflower) recognition scheme.
The company also offers concessionary fares and a free assistance scheme for disabled persons or those with reduced mobility, subject to eligibility.
Loretta added: “We want every customer, regardless of ability, to enter our terminals and board our hovercraft feeling confident and informed.”
“By making invisible factors visible — the sounds, movements, scents — our Sensory Journey Guide helps demystify the journey. Purple Tuesday is a timely reminder of the importance of designing with all customers in mind, and we commit to continuing to evolve our accessibility initiatives in 2026.”
