Why do people vote for same?

In response to the article by Sandy Neil and a letter regarding the ‘chaos’ that is engulfing CalMac, some of the blame may be laid on CalMac, but CalMac can only work with the vessels they are given to operate.

Who is ultimately responsible for this chaos? It is the Scottish Government via Transport Scotland and then CMAL. CalMac are at the end of the chain of THREE government bodies. One has to put more questions to these bodies and even question if they are fit for purpose.

Due to years of under-investment by the Scottish Government, the CalMac fleet has 34 vessels which has an average age of 23.8 years, the oldest vessel is 46 years old!

Any commercial shipping company would not operate with a fleet of this average age. Old ships cost a lot to maintain and become more unreliable as they age, just like your car. Nothing last for ever.

In the commercial world – not the Western Isles world – commercial customers do not tolerate unreliability and hence poor service, so why should the users of CalMac? Unfortunately they have to as there is no alternative.

What ceases to amaze me is that the voters who use and rely on these lifeline services continue to vote for more of the same. I’m afraid you can only point the finger of blame at the Scottish Government. They have been in for 14 years now and overseen this chaos.

As for the two ‘new’ ferries at Fergusons…what a shambles and who is in overall charge? The same government. Think about it next time.

Colin Ungoed-Thomas, by email.