Western Isles MSP takes up issue of ferry luggage service

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today written to both Calmac and Citylink to ask if they can come to an arrangement that would benefit passengers, following news that the Citylink ferry luggage service on the Stornoway ferry will stop within the next few weeks.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“I know many people will be concerned that the service currently offered by Citylink to all coach passengers traveling to the Stornoway ferry will be stopped within the next few weeks.

“As well as the fact that a number of local jobs will be lost, this move would particularly disadvantage those with children and the elderly, who, up until now, have not had to worry about carrying their luggage from the ferry, down the gangway and into the ferry terminal in Stornoway.

“Citylink have been able to reduce their fares by 50 pence on their Ullapool to Inverness service as a result of this cut, however, I do not expect many people in the islands to feel that this saving justifies losing the luggage service altogether.  It is a service which is extremely valuable to the large number of passengers each day who rely on this ferry, and whose five-hour journey between Inverness and Stornoway is made slightly easier by not having to cart luggage on and off vessels.

“I have therefore written to both Calmac and Citylink to impress on them the importance of this service and to ask if they are able to come to an arrangement that would secure its future.”

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