We have recently updated our records and analysis of winter reliability, and the numbers show that the 2019/20 winter had the highest rate of cancellations since our records began in 1999/2000. Across the network as a whole, winter weather cancellations exceeded 8% for the first time ever.
The Oban – Craignure service bucked the trend however, showing an improvement over the previous winter. We believe this was in part due to the frequent re-deployment of the Clansman to the route, (a far more capable vessel) which was available because of increased cancellations on the Coll & Tiree service.
Our relatively sheltered and short route consistently tracks below more exposed routes – Coll & Tiree for example had record cancellations of 26%, and Ardrossan-Brodick shot up to 19%.
This is a long-term and difficult problem to solve, and the problems on each route are complex. It is the users’ top concern however, and we will continue to track it. Whenever an opportunity or an issue arises that has a bearing on reliability – like future vessel replacement – the evidence of this data and user concern regarding reliability will be central.
You can see the full data set and more information here.