CalMac treating islanders “worse than cattle” 14/7/10
The Barra economy is seriously suffering from chaos caused by disruptions to its ferry service say islanders.
Now they are to complain to the Scottish Government about ferry company Cal Mac.
A broken camshaft has left the usual ship, MV Clansman, needing major repairs and islanders slam the "inability" of the two temporary vessels, MV Lord of the Isles and MV Hebridean Isles, covering the route.
Councillor Donald Manford convened a public meeting in Castlebay on Tuesday night
A hot topic was the tourist trade with hotels and guest houses reporting a 40%
fall in bookings.
Some tutors to Feis Bharraigh were unable to get to the island and some visitors vowed never to return after their ferry experience.
The loss of income to the community events could "seriously affect their future"
said Mr Manford.
He added: "CalMac insist there are spaces on the ferry. However, people wanting to come to Barra are told the ship is full.
"There are numerous reports of tourists cancelling holiday accommodation as a result."
Many at the meeting recalled their experiences of travelling to Barra.
One said that CalMac had knocked back some Oban to Castlebay bookings leaving passengers to travel 200 miles or more out of their way to go north via Harris and then drive a lengthy journey south through the island chain.
One couple reported that rather than being transferred to the Uig to Lochmaddy
route they were sent via Tarbet / Harris and travelled through Uist to arrive in
Eriskay only to find the Barra ferry fully booked resulting in an overnight stay
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The meeting heard claims of passengers, including toddlers and babies, having to
lie on the floor with no seats available, running out of sick bags and being replaced
with Coca-
One speaker said that cattle received "infinitely better treatment" from Cal MaC
than human passengers.
A letter from Phil Preston, Cal Mac's managing director was read out.
He pointed out that unseasonably bad weather was the cause of a lot of
disruption.
It said: "We are fully aware of the inconvenience and discomfort faced by some, but we are working extremely hard with the available fleet we have at our disposal to ensure that all those who wish to travel can travel.
He pleaded for “customers' forbearance to ensure that those people wishing to
dine on board can get a seat in the cafeteria.”
Engineers were working flat out to try and get the Clansman fixed by 25th July.
He added: "At all times during the disruption, our staff in Oban have worked
continuously to ensure that all customers who have made bookings are contacted and, where necessary, alternative bookings are made where they could not be carried on their original choice.
“This, of course, includes giving customers the option of travelling to Barra via Lochmaddy and the Sound of Barra. Whilst this is inconvenient, it is certainly a feasible and realistic detour."