‘People’s Calmac’ call as ageing ferries cancelled

A campaign for a “People’s Calmac” to improve reliability and give islanders a greater role is to be launched by the main ferry union as passengers endure further disruption due to extended vessel overhauls.

Therail,maritimeandtransport union (RMT) plans a “day of action” today in Oban – one of Calmac’s main ports – two days after public spending watchdog Audit Scotland heavily criticisedthehandlingofalongdelayed contract to build two desperately-needed ferries at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow. They are now due to be delivered next year, five years late, for the Arran route to Brodick and the Skyenorth Uist-harris triangle.

Meantime, extensions to Calmac’s vessel maintenance programme have triggered a series ofcancellationsastheoperator struggles with an ageing and unreliable fleet.

Sailingscancelledincludeten betweenmallaigandarmadale in Skye yesterday, one between Oban and Coll/tiree today, and two between Oban and Craignure in Mull on Monday.

The Mallaig/oban to Lochboisdale service in South Uist has been suspended due to a shortage of vesselson Monday.

The RMT will call on the Scottish Government “to invest in creating a publicly-owned and operated ferry service that delivers reliable, more affordable services”.

Atransportscotlandspokesperson said: “We agree that Scotland’s ferries should not be privatised, which is why ministershavealreadyruledthatout.

“Ministers recognise there is a need to better incorporate islandervoiceinthisregardand the Transport Minister would be happy to meet with RMT.”