Caledonian MacBrayne’s customers are reminded that the summer timetable starts from sailings this Friday, March 25 and that due account should be taken of this when making travel arrangements.   

Customers intending to travel to Arran should note that on Thursday, March 24, MV  Caledonian Isles will undertake a sailing at 1915hrs from Brodick in order to reposition at Ardrossan for the following morning.  This will be a non bookable service but will transport passengers and vehicles.

The new timetable includes some changes from last year with which customers should familiarise themselves through the pocket-sized version of the timetable or through the magazine Explore, or on the website www.calmac.co.uk  Amongst the key changes are additional sailings to Arran during a 9-week period. These sailings will commence on Monday, June 27 at 0715hrs from Brodick, finishing on Thursday, August 25, sailing from Brodick at 1545hrs.  These are listed separately on a leaflet which is available from CalMac offices or on the website.

The CalMac fleet has completed its winter overhaul improvement programme which will bring significant benefits to customers.  Friday also marks the annual change in fares with CalMac applying a general 2.5% increase to all cars, passengers, coaches and commercial vehicles across the network for the following 12 months. This increase in fares was previously confirmed on July 9, 2004.

This is the first time in 3 years that CalMac has raised the commercial vehicle rate, the last 2 years having been held with no increase. CalMac’s Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: “The fares rises which we are introducing recognise the significant cost pressures that CalMac will face in the following 12 months. Prudent management of our fuel costs, for example, has enabled us to meet the challenges faced in that sector for a number of years and other costs have been absorbed by the company wherever possible. This is the smallest increase we could manage. We have kept these increases at as reasonable a level as is practicable, to enable us to live within our means. We hope that our performance over the past number of years, where we have absorbed possible increases in the commercial sector in particular, will be recognised.”

The most significant improvement to CalMac customer facilities this summer will be the opening of the £3million Oban terminal facility, due to be operational from Monday, April 4.

Ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Services, Caledonian MacBrayne.  Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk