Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) today (September 21, 2009) announced that it is making a further 22 changes to the Clyde and Hebrides ferry timetables.

CalMac Ferries consulted widely with the local communities and received the go-ahead from the Scottish Government to make the changes. 

The changes to the winter timetable will come into effect on Sunday 25th October 2009 and are now available to book on-line. The summer sailings will be available to book later in the year.

The timetable changes, which include the introduction of a number of additional sailings on some routes, are largely aimed at improving connectivity and better integration with bus and rail services

Phil Preston, Managing Director of CalMac, said: “We have succeeded in introducing 22 changes that we put to Government and most of the planned changes proposed are being undertaken as a result of direct requests from the communities we serve. I believe this amply demonstrates our desire to do what we can to provide the best service possible.”

Welcoming the timetable improvements Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: “These are welcome changes, which reflect the Government’s commitment to improving ferry services to our remote and island communities. Ferry services are a vital lifeline to the communities they serve, especially in these challenging economic times, and through the Scottish Ferries Review we’re looking at what further enhancements can be made to improve services across the network. 

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

1. The following changes have been approved by the Scottish Government:

• Mallaig – Small Isles; Muck. Winter 2009/10 timetable – new Saturday sailing
• Mallaig – Armadale, Summer 2010 timetable – Changes to improve integration with bus services on Skye
• Uig – Tarbert, Winter 2009/10 timetable – Additional sailings on Wednesdays and Fridays to provide additional capacity and improve public transport connections
• Sconser – Raasay, Winter 2009/10 – Extend late Saturday sailing to year round for social purposes and changes to reflect revised passage time due to opening of new terminal
• Barra – Eriskay, Winter 2009/10– Changes to improve connectivity with Sound of Harris service
• Berneray – Leverburgh, Summer 2010 - Changes to improve connectivity with Lochmaddy service
• Oban – Craignure, Winter 2009/10 – Changes to improve access to and from Oban from Mull on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Tobermory – Kilchoan, Winter 2009/10 – Additional services to improve access to Mull for Ardnamurchan residents
• Oban – Lismore – Oban, Winter 2009/10 and Summer 2010 – Changes to improve access to hospital appointments and for Lismore residents who work in Oban
• Oban – Coll – Tiree, Winter 2009/10 and Summer 2010 – Changes to reflect improved sailing times
• Oban – Castlebay – Lochboisdale, Winter 2009/10 and summer 2010 - Changes to reflect improved sailing times and extend turnaround times in Oban.
• Oban – Lochboisdale – Oban, Summer 2010 - Changes to reflect improved sailing times
• Tayinloan - Gigha, Winter 2009/10 - Additional sailings on a Sunday morning and afternoon. Summer 2010 - Additional sailing on a Friday night and Sunday morning.
• Rubodach –Colintraive, Winter 2009/10 and Summer 2010 - Changes to improve connectivity with the Portavadie service and turnaround times
• Wemyss Bay – Rothesay, Winter 2009/10 and Summer 2010 - Changes to Sunday timetable to improve connectivity with rail services
• Lochranza – Claonaig, Summer 2010 – One additional Sunday sailing

2. Further information about Caledonian MacBrayne is available at www.calmac.co.uk

3.     Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Ltd  (CFL). These names are used under licence from     Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). The lion rampant device is used by CFL with the permission of CMAL.

For further information, contact:

David Cannon
Group Public Affairs Manager
David MacBrayne Ltd
(On behalf of CalMac Ferries Ltd)
Tel: 01475 650371
Mob: 07595 092332
david.cannon@davidmacbrayne.co.uk