Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has again raised the issue of the capacity on the Western Isles ferries.
She said passengers continue to suffer from the inability to travel to and from the mainland.
Mrs Grant recently met with Cal Mac bosses Martin Dorchester and Brian Fulton over the “totally unacceptable” situation.
She said islanders are suffering because they cannot get a booking on the ferries between Stornoway and Ullapool and also on the Tarbert to Uig route.
MSP calls for two ferries on busy Stornoway route
5 July 2017
“This is very worrying, especially as summer has only started.
“This is affecting day to day life for the islanders who are experiencing problems attending funerals, appointments and work commitments. It is likely to impact on families going on holiday this summer too.”
The Stornoway ferry MV Loch Seaforth has less seating capacity than its predecessor, the MV Isle of Lewis. In addition she carries out an overnight freight run.
The MSP added: “It seems ridiculous to even contemplate replacing a larger passenger seating capacity vessel with a smaller one given RET and the increase in people holidaying in Scotland never mind having it take over from the freight ferry as well.
“The fact of the matter is the Loch Seaforth is running almost 24 hours a day and, as was predicted by the majority of stakeholders at the time, it simply does not have sufficient capacity in the summer months.
“This also raises the issue of maintenance as the ferry now sails twice during the day on Sunday.
“We need two boats on this route to satisfy the lifeline requirement and I will be taking this fight back to the Scottish Government.”
Mrs Grant continued: “When pressed on the issue Martin Dorchester confirmed that CalMac could investigate the introduction a freight ferry which would free up capacity on the Loch Seaforth which can only carry restricted passenger numbers when carrying hazardous cargo.
“I believe this would be a short term solution and will be discussing this with CNES and hauliers. This would at least alleviate the immediate issue as the Loch Seaforth then could accommodate a third sailing for passengers through the summer months.”
Mrs Grant concluded: “I have contacted CNES who agree that the situation is worrying and that we need to look at short term measures to get us through the summer.
“I will also be asking Humza Yousaf and the SNP Government to address this issue rather than consistently ignoring the provision that is the lifeline ferry services for the Western Isles.
“It is clear that this yet another grass roots issue for islanders is being swept
aside with disregard by this SNP Government and its senior ministers who seem more
intent on constitutional ramblings than getting to grips what the people of Scotland
really need.”