Two days ago, we heard from the Herald:
The Scottish Government’s bid to provide a direct public contract to CalMac to run the ageing ferry fleet without going through a competitive tendering process is opposed by its community board.
Today, to warn the board to be careful what it wishes for, we can read of how a large, failing but profit-making ferry operator, in the USA, is doing for its users:
After several years of trying to predict when normal ferry service might return, Washington State Ferries is now acknowledging what most regular riders likely already suspected: Until new boats come online four to five years from now, normal service is not possible.
That means routes between Seattle and Bremerton; Fauntleroy, Southworth and Vashon; and Port Townsend and Coupeville will each indefinitely operate with one fewer boat than they should. It also means other routes, such as Edmonds to Kingston, are likely to continue experiencing intermittent service reductions, despite WSF’s declaration last year that the crossing was back to full service.
More trips will be added occasionally as crew and boats become available, but they should not be expected. Under this new plan of lowered expectations, WSF’s goal is to deliver 95% of its trips — lower than its historical goal of 99%.
All of this is a change from last year. In early 2023, WSF estimated it could resume full service to both the Southworth and Bremerton routes by the fall. That timeline was bumped to 2024 last summer.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/wa-ferry-system-scraps-timeline-for-resuming-normal-service/
Imagine that was in Scotland?
How is CalMac doing today, with the youngest fleet and lowest fares in the West and the best, as the only one required to publish them, performance stats?
Only 97.2% on time after 100% in the previous two days. Write that headline for the Herald yourself.
Talking-up Scotland 
4 ferries coming into service. 2 in Scotland aiding the economy. Innovative technology saving monies. Less need for future funding. Spend £millions to save £Billion. 2 being built in Turkey.
Before only one a year was built. More funding in ferries than ever before. SNP Gov initiative. Good investment in the future and success of the islands and the Scottish economy.
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CalMac may not be everyone’s cup-of-tea , but those served by its ferries should be very careful in calling for a replacement company to take over . Public Services being taken over by private enterprise in the UK have a very very poor record !
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As the saying goes “if it ain’t broke……..”
Call me cynical but maybe Tories/Labour have infiltrated the board and offered
them their usual backhanders to sink Calmac (literally) and promised them paid board jobs in private company.
Be aware…..remember P&O and private companies of that ilk hire and fire on a whim, island community employment will suffer for one, ferry prices will rise affecting tourism, health and safety will be low to zero and who’s ships will they use,
will they buy out Calmac fleet as, after all, we have been told that they are very very old ships. So will Scottish people have to pay for a brand new fleet for a private company to run for a profit?
I expect under Labour all this will come true, we will have Transport GB run from
Westmonster along with all of Scotlands resources…NHS GB….only if you can afford it!!!
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