Changes to Cal Mac Ferries
14 replies
JVB66 replied on 13/08/2021 17:13
Posted on 13/08/2021 17:13
The ban on standby tickets for CalMac Ferries was originally to be from 31st March, but was delayed because of covid,
They are desperately short of ferries, as the new biuld ferries it seems are still not in service(2018 was First date of introduction)to help out CalMac have hired in a ferry from the Isle of Man steam packet Co .for one of its busiest routes
brue replied on 13/08/2021 17:15
Posted on 13/08/2021 07:26 by ExtuggerThis from The Herald.......
Finlay MacRae, head of operations for CalMac, said: "To prioritise customers without alternative accommodation and to optimise deck space at the end of loading, motorhomes, campervans and vehicles towing caravans will no longer be given a standby or waitlist position on all bookable routes - either at the reservation stage or on the day of sailing.
"Restricting larger vehicles in standby lanes will allow us to make the best use of any remaining space for smaller vehicles, whose occupants may not have alternative options available for accommodation. It will also remove the issue of larger vehicles filling up standby lanes, and smaller vehicles having to be pulled out of car lanes if that is all that can be shipped at the end of the loading process."
Looks like the locals are getting sick of Motorhomes and Caravans!
Posted on 13/08/2021 17:15
These are often open decked ferries and require quite a bit of manouevering to get a variety of vehicles on board including supermarket containers etc. I can see the reasoning behind squeezing a few more small cars into awkward gaps to get the optimum revenue out of the deck spaces.
Locals get subsidised and free journeys on some routes and they already have priority.
2 people like this
nelliethehooker replied on 13/08/2021 20:52
Posted on 13/08/2021 17:01 by ExtuggerHave no idea and frankly don’t give a damn. I’m not one for excuses or inefficiencies, life’s too short and there’s always other options. If you offer a service you need it to be good service, otherwise your customers will go elsewhere and it’s very difficult to get them back once they’ve gone.
Posted on 13/08/2021 20:52
Perhaps that's just the idea, to get rid of some of the chancers, and rely on the locals and regulars who know the system. Those that really want to visit would book in advance, so giving the ferry company foreknowledge of how many to expect and perhaps they are then able to organise additional services. They certainly won't want to alterations or order additional or a larger vessel if the hedgehog there.
Tammygirl replied on 13/08/2021 23:04
Posted on 13/08/2021 23:04
I would never dream of turning up for these crossings in high season without a booking.
Maybe tourists should have to prove they have somewhere approved to stay on the islands, before being allowed to travel to them. That would cut down a lot of the problems some of the islands face.
The 2 new ferries are not yet built and will not be ready until I think now 2023 
totally disgusting the way the island communities have been let down by the Scottish Gov.
There was a report in the paper yesterday that the man now in charge of getting these ferries built, is the highest paid public servant in the UK.
DavidKlyne
Motorhomer