CALMAC has announced that it will be ceasing to take advanced bookings until July as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement released today, the ferry firm said customers will no longer be able to book any service in advance for sailings due to take place up to and including July 15, though a "turn up and go" service will still be offered at ports.
Bookings that have already been made up to that point will be honoured where services are still running, and priority will still be given to emergency services and medical emergencies.
Hot food will also no longer be served on board from Friday morning, to ensure staff are freed up to crew the vessels.
Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac said: "The Covid-19 outbreak is creating an ever-changing landscape not just for CalMac but for all transport operators and indeed all businesses.
READ MORE: Timetables set to change as public transport numbers drop
"Whilst we are currently able to continue operating our normal timetabled service, we have to plan for the impact of the virus on our staff at ports, on vessels and within our support services. It has been prudent, therefore, to pause our ability to offer customers advance bookings.
"We will be operating a turn up and go service on all of our routes. This will reflect arrangements we have much experience with, and those we already have in place permanently in a number of locations across the network, such as Wemyss Bay and Rothesay.
"We know how popular our food service is on board our routes, but we are sure our customers will understand our need to free up as many staff as possible to help with priority tasks such as cleaning and other on board duties. Understandably, we are seeing a reduction in the amount of food purchased at this time in any case, so this decision makes sense.
"As the situation is changing on a daily basis, we will keep this situation under constant review."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel