Bristol Community Ferry Boats has launched a temporary Bridge Replacement Service with a £1 Harbour Hop, helping people cross Bristol’s Floating Harbour while Pero’s Bridge is out of action.

The Harbour Hop runs between Prince Street landing stage, next to the Arnolfini, and the Amphitheatre, offering a quick and affordable way to hop across the water rather than make the longer journey around the harbour.

The service will run until the end of the school summer holidays, with the possibility of continuing beyond the summer if it proves popular.

For Bristol Community Ferry Boats, a not-for-profit Community owned Business, it has also been a great example of Bristol’s harbour community working together to find practical solutions when something unexpected happens.

Roisin Tobin-Brooke, Co-Director of Bristol Community Ferry Boats, said:

“The harbour is a community, and this is one of those times when everyone pulls together and finds a way to keep things moving.

The Harbour Office have been fantastic at keeping in touch with us and working with us to find practical solutions.

The Bridge Replacement, Harbour Hop Service is our small contribution. We’re not looking to make money from the situation – we have our fantastic crew and fleet here, so if we can help people get across the harbour for £1, we’re very happy to do it.”

Bristol Ferry’s usual day service is still running

The temporary closure of Pero’s Bridge also means Bristol Community Ferry Boats cannot currently access its usual City Centre landing stage at Cascade Steps.

Thanks to the support of the Harbour Office, the ferry company has been able to temporarily relocate its City Centre stop to Prince Street landing stage, beside the Arnolfini.

Its standard day ferry service therefore continues to operate seven days a week, seven hours a day, connecting people with stops and destinations around the Floating Harbour.

Roisin added:

“If you normally find us at City Centre, we haven’t gone far! Just head to Prince Street landing stage by the Arnolfini and you’ll find our boats there.

We’re really pleased that by working together with the Harbour Office we’ve been able to keep our normal ferry service running. The harbour is still open, busy and ready to explore.”

Bristol Community Ferry Boats is encouraging residents and visitors to continue enjoying the Floating Harbour throughout the rest of the summer – whether that is hopping across for £1 or spending the day exploring Bristol by ferry.

Bridge Replacement Service – Harbour Hop:
Prince Street (Arnolfini) ↔ Amphitheatre | £1 per person

Operating daily 11am - 4pm

Standard Day Ferry Service:
Prince Street (Arnolfini) temporarily replaces City Centre

Operating daily 10am – 5:40pm