CalMac have warned Scottish Ministers that they will not be able to return to their scheduled summer service while maintaining two metre social distancing protocols as travel restrictions as gradually lifted. They are currently operating a reduced service limited to essential islander travel, key workers and supply deliveries, with hundreds of people being refused travel for non-essential journeys since restrictions were put in place. The Caravan and Motorhome Club have reported they are expecting a boom in “staycations”, with people travelling to popular Scottish destinations as restrictions are lifted over the coming months, but CalMac have stated they will be unable to adapt to their usual summer timetable with physical distancing in place.

In written evidence provided to Holyrood’s rural economy and connectivity committee, they advised that implementing physical distancing of two metres will reduce the capacity of their fleet on average to 17% of normal passenger capacity, and 91% of car deck capacity. They noted that physical distancing will increase loading times, meaning they are unable to operate normal timetables of high services routes which require a quick turnaround.

CalMac warned that transitioning from the essential service to a winter or shoulder service will take around 4 weeks, whereas a transition to the summer service will take between 8-10 weeks to recruit seasonal staff. They have called on the Scottish Government to consider prioritisation of passenger categories if demand outstrips the capacity when restrictions are relaxed, and also pointed to temperature screening to determine whether passengers are fit to travel.

It was reported last week that CalMac had caught several groups of people attempting to evade the non-essential travel ban, including golfers hiding in a van and two people hiding in the footwell of a car. Non-essential travel on CalMac ferries is prohibited until at least 30th June.

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