The Scottish Mail on Sunday

CalMac’s failing ferry services only stick to timetable one day in six

- By Cameron Charters

SHOCKING figures show Scotland’s failing ferry services have only ran to timetable one day in every six since 2018.

Research has found there were only 291 days when CalMac’s ships all ran to schedule between 2018 to 2022.

Figures obtained by the Lib Dems show that in 2021 there were just 21 days ‘performed to schedule’, meaning there were no service interrupti­ons.

In 2020 there were 121 days completed according to the timetable, while in 2019 there were 50 and in 2018, only 83. So far this year there have been 16 days without delays.

The data also shows 15 per cent of delays were caused by technical faults on ships, with a further 65 per cent due to the weather, while the pandemic also heavily affected sailings.

Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie last night branded the service record an ‘omnishambl­es’.

He said: ‘Now we learn there were a mere 291 days over five years when sailings actually operated to their timetables.

‘There seems no end to this saga. It’s an utter omnishambl­es, the fault of which sits sorely and squarely with the SNP Government.’

To compensate passengers who have issued claims over delays, food and accommodat­ion since 2018, CalMac has had to pay out around £900,000.

Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac, said: ‘We take our responsibi­lity to provide a reliable lifeline ferry service very seriously and work hard to avoid any disruption. However, the vast majority of cancellati­ons or disruption is due to poor weather, which is outwith our control.’

A spokesman for Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: ‘The majority of CalMac ferries run on time and to schedule but breakdowns and delays are not acceptable. That’s why we have invested to provide additional capacity.’

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