New Gravesend fast ferry service connects the Kent seaside town with central London for scenic commute

We test the first high-speed catamaran for commuters from North Kent

The early Southeastern train this morning from London Charing Cross to Gravesend left late, stopped several times between stations for unexplained reasons, dawdled frequently and arrived late.

In contrast, the first-ever commuter ferry from the town’s pier set off exactly on time at 7.15am and barely slowed below 30 knots (35mph) on the 30-mile journey up the Thames into central London. True, the Aurora Clipper arrived five minutes behind schedule at her final stop, Embankment Pier (change here for the London Eye and Trafalgar Square). But the reason was the powerful outgoing tide — a more exciting excuse for tardiness than signalling issues in the Lewisham area.

Between Monday and Thursday this week, MBNA Thames Clippers is offering free travel as it assesses potential demand for a permanent link. About 100 passengers were aboard the high-speed catamaran for her first trial run on an extension of existing services downstream beyond the current terminus at Woolwich.

The firm currently runs a busy network of fast ferries between Woolwich, the O2, Greenwich, Rotherhithe and central London, filled with commuters at peak times and tourists during the day. Its chief executive, Sean Collins, who founded Thames Clippers in 1999, said: “We want as many commuters as possible to realise the huge benefits in terms of speed, comfort and frequency of travelling by river.

“We are optimistic about the volume of customers opting to trial the new service.”

At present the Gravesend commuter can choose between a High Speed train taking only 22 minutes to London St Pancras, a conventional train to Charing Cross with a journey time of almost an hour, or a Redwing coach to a range of London points — taking around an hour, on a good day.

Jayme Halko, who normally commutes by train, was enthusiastic about the new service. While the ferry's top running speed is only a quarter of the 140mph achieved on High Speed 1 trains, the vessel serves a pier almost opposite her office in Blackfriars.

“I would be OK with a bit of a longer journey if it was as comfortable as this appears to be,” she said.

Steve McCormick, travelling to the final stop in order to reach his office near Oxford Circus, said: “If it’s cheaper than the train, and it’s got to be, then all the better.

“As good as the High Speed service is, I think any opportunity for people to save money these days, they will.”

The firm says only that fares would be competitive with trains (£12.20 one-way, with a one-third supplement for High Speed rail) and Redwing commuter coaches (£10 one way).

Aesthetically, the journey is far preferable to either train or road. After a fresh view on the marshes of the Thames Estuary, the passenger gets a new perspective on the Dartford Crossing, the Thames Barrier and the O2.

Shortly after Greenwich, passing the Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark, the first stop is at Canary Wharf. The journey time to the Dockland complex takes under an hour, and is within easy walking distance of the big companies based there.

The ferry also calls at Tower Pier, serving the eastern part of the City, Blackfriars Pier and Embankment Pier.

The Mayor of Gravesend, Harold Craske, was on board the maiden voyage. When The Independent suggested to the Mayor that a ferry link could put his town on the map, he said: “Gravesend’s already on the map. When people come to Gravesend they say: ‘I didn’t know it was as nice as this’.”

The town is believed to be bracing itself for an influx of tourists.