The British Columbia Ferry Commission has set a price cap on ferry fares of 9.2 per cent for each of the next four years. The BC Ferries vessel Queen of Surrey passes Bowen Island while traveling on Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, B.C., on Friday, April 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Regular readers will have seen recent reports here of breakdowns and cancellations in the elderly and troubled ferry services of British Columbia, Washington State and New Zealand. Now we see the good folk of the Vancouver area are going to have to pay through the nose for a failing service after the government in that part of Canada plans only a 9.2% cap in each of the next four years.
What’s happening in Scotland, you ask.
The freeze on fares on CalMac’s Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles ferry networks will extend for a further six months.
Tickets will be held at current prices from October 2023 until March 2024.
The Scottish Government’s transport agency, Transport Scotland, wants to help the island businesses and communities that depend on these vital services.
Transport minister Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the current challenges being faced by these communities, particularly with disruption to services on the Clyde and Hebrides network, although the situation will improve as new tonnage starts to join the fleet from next year.
https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2023/06/28/calmac-fares-frozen-for-six-months/
How is CalMac reliability these days?
93.4% yesterday and 95.4% over the season, on nearly 500 sailings daily, often to very small populations that more privatised services such as those in Canada, NZ and US do not serve.
In Greece in the winter? SFA.
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The reliability figures relate to boats that were operational. How many sailings were cancelled over the period and how many routes, if any, have been without service at all?
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Try finding that kind of data for any other ferry service in the world.
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John,
I am on your side and have indeed used the statistics you provide defending Calmac and Scottish Government, however, in a recent discussion I was countered by the very point I raised with you. It would be useful having the complete picture to defend OUR position. If Calmac don’t provide that information, impressive as their reliability on routes operating is, the argument loses some of its strength.
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I understand but feel the lack of any reliable comprehensive data from other global operators is the main problem here.
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Fair comment.
ATB
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