Islanders praise new ferry service
THE ADDITION of an extra ferry on the Oban to Craignure service is revolutionising island life for local residents as well as visitors.
CalMac recently switched the MV Coruisk from the Mallaig to Armadale (Skye) route due to the expected increase in passenger numbers to Mull this summer following the introduction of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) last year.
Mull Councillor Alistair MacDougall welcomed the new ferry service for the island. He said: ‘The addition of the MV Coruisk has made a huge difference to the island.
‘ With the introduction of the RET making ferry travel much cheaper, we anticipated an increase in visitors and were delighted when it was confirmed there would be an extra ferry.’
Councillor MacDougall, who is Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for transportation, added: ‘Not only is it a wonderful resource for tourists to visit our beautiful island – providing a huge boost for local businesses, from cafés to outdoor sports companies and everyone in between – it’s great for local people, meaning there are now sailings every daylight hour, making Mull better connected to the mainland.
‘To accommodate this huge increase in visitor numbers, our piers and harbours team has made small improvements to Craignure pier, as well as putting measures in place to effectively manage traffic coming off the ferry, making for a smooth arrival to Mull.’
Councillor Mary-Jean Devon, who also lives on Mull, said: ‘ We are so pleased with this new service. It’s providing such a boost to the island, bringing in people, supporting jobs and creating more for local people on the boat itself.
‘From a children and fam- ilies perspective, it’s a real game- changer, making it so much easier for people to get on and off the island for medical appointments as well as for our children getting to and from Oban.
‘It’s opening up even more opportunities for them to get involved in sports and recreation clubs or even do something as simple as go to the cinema.
‘With a ferry every hour, it takes the time pressure away.
‘Island connectivity is so important for the health and wellbeing of our community.
‘We’re delighted and hope that the service continues long into the future.’