Plea to increase passenger sailings on CalMac Ullapool – Stornoway route issued by Highland MSP as demand hits 'all-time high'

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has written to CalMac asking them to increase passenger sailings with the MV Loch Seaforth between Ullapool and Stornoway.

With the announcement that the MV Arrow had been contracted in to provide freight ferry service for the beleaguered route, hopes were high that capacity could be freed up on the Loch Seaforth to restore some of the lifeline service for passengers, as well as relieving pressure from the height of the tourist season.

However CalMac confirmed that while the MV Arrow will be sailing six nights a week, and capacity would be freed up on existing sailings of the largest vessel in its fleet, the Loch Seaforth would only be able to provide two additional sailings a week.

When Mrs Grant questioned this decision she was advised that further sailings could not be provided because if they had to be cancelled at short notice, for instance if the MV Arrow was recalled, then it would cause too much disruption.

“It’s madness,” said Mrs Grant. “Demand for ferry space is at an all-time high. Between tourists flocking to Scotland, and island residents trying to contend with such a limited capacity due to Covid, the need for ferry capacity is desperate.

“To plan for the worst eventuality at the cost of allowing people access to a lifeline service seems counter-intuitive. The MV Arrow is only available for a short while, we should be wringing the additional capacity for every space we can for as long as we can. Self-imposed limitations in case of cancellations through the summer months are not providing value for money, so I have written to CalMac asking them to reconsider and to increase their passenger sailings.”

CalMac has been asked for comment.

Freight service joins Ullapool to Stornoway route

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