We have been in communication with Transport Scotland and CalMac repeatedly over many months regarding the ‘first come first served’ booking system and how it is prejudiced against island residents. It has become clear however that nothing was being done to address it; not even to trial some changes on select routes.
It has also become clear that the Islands Act has not been considered by either CalMac or Transport Scotland. CalMac should have carried out an Island Communities Impact Assessment in respect of their new IT and ticketing system, and Transport Scotland should have carried one out in respect of the ‘first come first served’ ticketing policy that they ask CalMac to enforce.
We have therefore written to both the Islands Minister and the Transport Minister on this key issue. You can read the letter and accompanying press release below.