Monday, 11 January 2016

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who has had extensive communications with Caledonian Macbrayne regarding their proposed new ferry provisions, and who is an advocate of keeping the MV Coruisk for the Mallaig - Armadale Crossing, has reacted with disappointment at the news that the MV Coruisk will be re-deployed to the Oban - Mull service.

Mr Thompson, having recently met with the Transport Minister, Derek Mackay, along with a representative of Cal Mac and Transport Scotland, understands the great pressure on the Oban - Mull service and reluctantly accepts the changes to the Mallaig � Armadale service, which will provide extra capacity.

However, Mr Thompson pressed that Mallaig - Armadale should not be disadvantaged in the process, which is why he welcomes the news that there will be an extra vessel (MV Bhrusda), taking the vessels from two to three for Mallaig � Armadale, at peak times, and increased capacity, which will give greater resilience on the crossing overall.

This increase in frequencies of sailings and a significant increase in capacity should meet the expected extra demand on the route from RET, and includes an earlier service in the morning. The MSP cautioned, however, that a review of tourist bus schedules will be required to ensure schedule compatibility with the new ferry crossing timetable.

Mr Thompson said, �As someone who has been campaigning to keep the MV Coruisk for the Mallaig - Armadale Crossing, I reacted with disappointment at the news that the MV Coruisk will be re-deployed to Oban - Mull.

�From my recent meeting with the Transport Minister, Derek Mackay, I am informed that the expected increase on the Craignure � Oban service is significantly higher than that expected of Mallaig � Armadale service.

�However, it is welcome news that the MV Bhrusda will take the vessels operating on the crossing from two to three and that there will be greater frequencies of sailings and a significant increase in capacity to meet the expected extra demand on the route from RET, including an earlier service in the morning for Mallaig - Armadale. Although, a review of tourist bus schedules will be required, which will involve detailed discussions with tourist bus operators to ensure tourists and locals are properly accommodated by the new extra sailings.

�Given the expansion in demand that will occur with the introduction of RET on the Mallaig � Armadale Crossing, it is critical that the capacity and frequency matches that, despite the loss of the MV Coruisk. So, whilst I am heartened at news of extra sailings and significantly enhanced capacity, including an extra early morning service, I will be keeping a close eye on how the situation develops to make sure we get the best deal for Mallaig � Armadale, and I welcome the fact that Cal Mac has committed to keeping the situation under constant review�.

Notes:

Response to Dave Thompson MSP from Cal Mac Below:

Regarding concerns raised about proposed services on Mallaig Armadale

1 Questions raised

	Question	Response
1	Why move MV Coruisk to Craignure - Oban route at all. This looks like a case of benefitting one community at the expense of another.	Firstly, CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) do not believe that Sleat will be disadvantaged and that the ferry capacity provided on the Mallaig-Armadale route is sufficient to meet the anticipated demand. (Please see Tables 2 and 3 below) The introduction of RET on this route will have a significantly greater impact on demand than at Mallaig-Armadale and extra capacity is needed to meet this. There has also been a consistent call from the community here for an earlier morning service to meet commuter needs. CFL is confident that the proposed solution for Mallaig-Armadale will meet the expected extra demand on the route from RET and will be a reliable service.
2	Why not put MV Lochinvar / MV Bhrusda to Craignure Oban?	As highlighted above, the expected increase on Craignure - Oban is significantly higher than that expected at Mallaig � Armadale. However, CFL will continue to monitor the utilisation and discuss with TS whilst sharing statistics with the relevant communities.
3	Mallaig - Armadale is a significant tourism route to Sleat and beyond	CFL understand that and feel the solution proposed, albeit a solution made up of multiple vessels, ensures that this important tourism route is maintained. CFL will monitor route performance and take actions to rectify any persistent issues where possible. CFL are happy to share statistical information on a regular basis. CFL have listened to feedback from the Sleat community and have already revised the initial plans to build in additional sailings and capacity. For 2016 CFL will build upon the Marketing support provided to Sleat and the wider community in Skye in 2015. Furthermore, the CFL Commercial team is in communication with key tourism partners at Sleat and beyond to investigate other ways that they can work together. Further details of the 2015 activities are provided in Table 5 below.
4	Will the proposed solution cope with the many tourist coaches that travel Mallaig Armadale in the mornings, when the smaller vessel MV Lochinvar is planned to be operating?	CFL are aware of the travel plans of the coach operators and are confident that the planned services will meet the demand. CFL are also in dialogue with this important group of customers to ensure that potential issues are identified and solved. Furthermore, the increased frequency that a three vessel service will offer over and above a single vessel will mean more choice for coach operators as well as the fact that there will be a shorter time to wait between sailings.
5	The Harbour Master has stated that due to the number and frequency of vessels CFL are proposing to utilise that the entrance to Mallaig harbour will be extremely congested, and potentially permanently closed to other traffic?	CFL have also been, and continue to be, in communication with Mallaig Harbour Authority and believe that this is not an issue. Mallaig Harbour Authority welcome the additional use and revenue that the proposals offer.
6	Having experience of the sister vessel of MV Lochinvar at Mallaig Armadale, this operation will be subject to tidal restrictions?	CFL are aware of this situation and believe that the planned vessel allocation and timetable solution minimises the potential of this eventuality. CFL are used to dealing with tidal restrictions as happens in the Sound of Harris and will plan for any additional or adjusted services.
7	MV Lord of the Isles has provided an unreliable winter service from Lochboisdale, what happens at Mallaig when it is storm bound at Lochboisdale?	CFL are confident that the planned services will be more reliable over the Summer. CFL marine and technical teams have been working with the on-board team of MV Lord of the Isles to improve the operational response of that vessel. Furthermore, in peak periods, the MV Bhrusda will be positioned in Mallaig and will possibly be able to deliver a shuttle service with the MV Lochinvar to address the demand.
8	There is no on-board catering offered on MV Lochinvar and MV Loch Bhrusda, and their sailing times will be 10 minutes longer than MV Coruisk. Do you feel this is an acceptable situation?	It is correct that these vessels do not have on-board catering facilities. CFL will investigate options that they can deliver, primarily the installation of vending machines. CFL would welcome approaches from local businesses if they have ideas as to how to fill this need at both port facilities and on board.
9	Further issue - Operational resilience	Having two or three vessels providing the Mallaig-Armadale service improves the operational resilience of the service in the event of a technical breakdown. A service would continue to operate, albeit with a lower capacity, compared to no service at all if a one vessel service was in operation. (See Table 2 and 4 below)
10	Further issue � Local economic benefit of reduced fares that RET will bring to the Mallaig-Armadale route.	The fares reduction with the introduction of RET on the Mallaig-Armadale route from October 2015 are significant. Non-RET fare in October 2014 - Passenger �3.60 (equivalent �3.12 � with 6 journey ticket) and Car �20.45 (equivalent �14.67 � with 6 journey ticket) Compared with RET fare in October 2015 - Passenger �2.80 and Car �9.40. The intention behind RET is that it reduces the economic disadvantage suffered by remote island communities, and that it will therefore enable the islands to make a bigger contribution to the economic prosperity of Scotland. The reduced cost to local individuals is funded by increased subsidy from the Scottish Government. Besides the direct benefit to local users, the lower fares will likely have a positive impact in the tourism sector. Ferry fares for 2016/17 have been frozen, further supporting the RET benefits.

2 Mallaig-Armadale route marketing support

Skye benefitted from involvement with CFL in a number of activities during 2015 including Days Out, National Ferries Fortnight and Brilliant Island Moments.

Highlights included CFL partnered with Clan Donald and Dunvegan Castle on our joint Days Out products.

Featuring in our Days Out brochures also promoted on social media and to 220k subscribers via CalMac Connects e-newsletter. Extensive support was provided for all feature routes through social media.

Talisker Distillery is a new partner on the West Coast Whisky Trail. A new year round product to promote distillery visits. A Whisky Magazine feature is planned for Feb/Mar and specifically features Talisker and Skye as a destination.

For 2016

In addition to support for Days Out and National Ferry Fortnight and Brilliant Island Moments again in 2016, Skye will feature heavily on the new Calmactive brand to promote outdoor activities in Scotland.

Skye has also been selected for a trial mapping project of cycle routes working in partnership with Mountain Biking Scotland.

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