Amount spent on meals and hotels for passengers hit by ferry disruption revealed

More than £820,000 has been spent on meals and hotels for CalMac passengers affected by delays and cancellations over the last three years, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.

The figures, which were obtained via a freedom of information request, show that between 2021/22 and 2023/24 the ferry operator paid out an “eye-watering” £823,179 in compensation for meals and accommodation as a result of disruption to ferry services.

They also show that the amounts paid out rose over each of the three years, with £202,462 paid out in 2021/22, £306,223 in 2022/23 and £314,494 in 2023/24.

If nationalist ministers delivered a ferry network that worked, then taxpayers wouldn’t be forced to shell out on meals or accommodation for passengers

Conservative transport spokesperson Sue Webber blamed the situation on government “incompetence”, which she said had left CalMac having to operate an “ageing, unreliable fleet”.

“This eye-watering bill for Scottish taxpayers should shame SNP ministers – because it stems directly from their incompetence,” she said.

“SNP mismanagement has left CalMac with an ageing, unreliable fleet, which means that it’s a roll of the dice whether lifeline services will be late or cancelled.

“These cancellations have a devastating impact on betrayed islanders, who are regularly unable to get to work or hospital appointments.

“Then there’s the impact on the local economy, because tourists are either put off visiting our islands or delayed in getting to and from them.

“If nationalist ministers delivered a ferry network that worked, then taxpayers wouldn’t be forced to shell out on meals or accommodation for passengers.

“It’s disgraceful that not a single SNP minister has been sacked for their unforgivable and never-ending ferries scandal.”

A CalMac spokesperson said: “We’re operating more sailings than ever before, with many of our vessels operating at their limits to provide services.

When disruption does occur, we do our utmost to get customers on alternate sailings or routes to reach their destination wherever possible

“When disruption does occur, we do our utmost to get customers on alternate sailings or routes to reach their destination wherever possible.

“When that isn’t something we can do, we have a robust passenger rights policy in place to ensure affected customers are compensated for food, drink and, when appropriate, accommodation costs they incur.

“Starting with MV Glen Sannox, which entered service in January this year, we’ll welcome 13 new vessels to the CalMac fleet by 2029.

“These six major and seven small vessels will see approximately one third of our fleet renewed.

“This will lead to a reduction in technical issues and cancellations as ageing vessels are replaced.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is investing in six new major vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network by 2026, alleviating the need for extensive repairs on older vessels and improving reliability.

“Last month the contracts were signed for a further seven new smaller vessels.

“To improve service in the short term, we have also purchased the MV Loch Frisa and chartered the MV Alfred.

“We continue to work with operators and (ferry-owning agency) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to improve resilience across our networks.”