Scottish Labour today warned of a summer of discontent on Scotland's ferries after tourism bosses in the Outer Hebrides called on the SNP's Humza Yousaf to intervene in the delivery of the lifeline transport system.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Colin Smyth, said that the SNP transport minister must stop procrastinating and provide the vital ferry services promised by his government.
The Western Isles tourism industry is demanding Mr Yousaf visit the islands and invest in CalMac's ageing ferry fleet.
Colin Smyth said: “This situation beggars’ belief. We have every conceivable economic body and responsible stakeholder calling for the government to stop ignoring the Western Isles communities and provide the life line ferry services that are much needed and were promised.
"But still Humza Yousaf persists in procrastination at the expense of the islanders and the Western Isles' fragile economy.
"It is astonishing that even government-
"Incredulously CalMac has warned of “significant breakdown risk” with no contingency in place to deal with that situation. Yet still the SNP, at a local level and a government level, do nothing.
"It looks like a summer of severe discontent is ahead of us, and I too call on Humza to intervene and sort this issue out once and for all.”
A Scottish Government said: “While these issues are an operational matter for CalMac, we understand the frustration of the communities which rely on their ferry services.
“CalMac is seeking to manage the situation by redeploying vessels within the fleet to ensure that lifeline connections are maintained to all the communities it serves on the Clyde and Hebrides network.
“The frequency of service for some routes may, however, be reduced from normal during the period of disruption.
“Our recently published Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan shows how existing, planned and prospective vessels could be deployed across the Clyde and Hebrides network to deliver the commitments set out in the Scottish Ferries Plan, and better address forecast demand.
“Future vessel provision on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service network will be based on the conclusions set out in the report and the affordability of those proposals.”
Ferry passengers face a summer of discontent warns Labour
19 April 2018
