From Isle of Wight County Press letters page, today: I am writing to express my utter outrage and profound frustration regarding the outrageous increase in ferry ticket prices. This is a blatant exploitation of those who rely on this essential service, and it is high time someone took a stand. In recent months, the cost of ferry tickets has spiralled out of control, making it virtually impossible for many families, workers, and tourists to afford basic transportation. What was once a reasonable means of travel has now become a financial burden that is choking the life out of local economies … Continue reading Isle of Wight ferry prices at two to seven times CalMac rates prevent tourists coming

From KOMO News today: Over the past few years, WSF has experienced crew shortages which have caused delays and cancellations. A few weeks ago, KOMO News reported that WSF had 21 boats in its fleet, but only 15 were currently in service. Oftentimes, when a crew shortage happens ferry riders may assume that a deckhand or other position they would normally see on board working, couldn’t make it to work. KOMO News learned from one of the unions that represents ferry workers, that many times the missing link in the crew is someone who works below deck, in the engine room. Crew … Continue reading “Washington state ferry cancellations cripple service before the busy Labor Day weekend”

For the first time, the super-affluent state of Norway is experiencing a ferry fiasco of the sort we have seen reported here, in New Zealand, Greece, the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, British Columbia, Toronto and Washington State USA, with this from SINTEF: Major problem for coastal ferry services. There are many examples, and they all tell the same story. Shortfalls in crew numbers and regulations governing rest periods make non-scheduled extra crossings problematic. This results in many cancelled crossings, causing major irritation to travellers along the Norwegian coast. At present, the evacuation of car ferries and other vessels carrying … Continue reading Now Norwegian ferries join the list of failing ferry services

What could have caused this spike in TuS readers last night? With the greatest respect, dear readers, the IVF story was by far the one of the greatest importance. They’re the future! Continue reading Ferry reports are more popular than babies!

By Professor John Robertson OBA Today, BBC Scotland’s Lucy Adams reports: Lee-Anne King has three sons at schools in Glasgow. They all have additional support needs – and, as a result, are among those most likely to be affected by cuts to teacher numbers across the city. Lee-Anne, 41, volunteers at a primary school in the Knightswood area and is also the chair of the parent council. She says the impact of the teacher cuts is already visible in the classroom at the school, which her 10-year-old son JJ attends. “Last week our deputy headteacher ended up teaching a class all … Continue reading “Progress cannot be made by focusing on teachers alone” in a system with the best pupil/teacher ratio in the UK

By Professor John Robertson OBA From Public Health Scotland, today, the above trend evidence and: During the quarter ending 30 June 2024, 372 patients attended a screening appointment. The 90% standard was met, with all patients screened within 52 weeks of referral.1 And from Fertility Scotland: Scotland is proud to be the only UK nation to provide up to three full IVF/ICSI cycles on the NHS for eligible couples with some of the highest pregnancy rates and lowest multiple births across all UK nations.2 In England: IVF: ‘People are being priced out of becoming parents’3 How free IVF saves lives and reduces NHS … Continue reading Scotland’s unique free 100% target-busting IVF service, saving lives and the NHS millions, year after year but to absolutely no media recognition