FERRIES UPDATE
Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.
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Minutes:
Simon Richmond of Calmac provided an update in respect of this year’s sailing figures advising that the figures for Summer 2016 had seen a 5% decrease, however the figures for the winter season this far are up by 7% which is encouraging. Mr Richmond provided further detail in terms of vessel maintenance and the festive season timetables. David Black of Calmac provided information in relation to the delays in the second stage of the Dunoon – Gourock Passenger Route contract. He advised that this section has been delayed since early September, with no indication from Transport Scotland of when this will be actioned. General discussion was had in this regard, with the Community Governance Manager agreeing to draft a letter to Transport Scotland on behalf of the forum, requesting information on the delay of the ITT document.
Alistair McLundie of Western Ferries updated the forum in respect of the passenger and vehicle figures, noting that these were similar to those of the previous year. Captain McLundie gave further information in relation to the replacement of the old link span and the protection of the old pier at Hunters Quay and the protection of the listed pier at Kilmun. Information was also provided in respect of the festive season timetables.
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FERRIES UPDATE
Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.
:
Minutes:
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Argyll Ferries Simon Richmond and Scott Goodwill from Argyll Ferries provided the Forum with the following update: · The Clyde and Hebrides contract has been signed and will come inforce on the 1st October 2016. · With regards to the TheDunoon Gourock Passenger Route contract , the first stage pre-qualifying process is complete and the second release of the invitation to tender will be out week commencing 5th September 2016. · It is expected that the new contract will run from the 29th of June 2017 fo a period of twelve years. · Passenger numbers for the summer months at Colintraive, Wemyss Bay and Portavadie are up on last year. · The passenger numbers for the Gourock to Dunoon sailing has decreased by 4% on last year’s figures. · Cowal Games passenger numbers were down 1% overall but up 3% on the Saturday and Bute Games were up in number of cars but down in number of passengers. · The Ferry users group meeting will be held in October. · A conversation was held around Argyll Ferries procedures for dealing with intoxicated passengers and drink related incidents. Procedures will be reviewed. · Simon Richmond informed the Group that Cmal had not received the letter submitted by the transport forum. Actions Senior Area Committee Assistant to forward Simon Richmond the original letter that was sent to Cmal and he will progress the matter. Western Ferries
Update As Captain McLundie had been unable to attend the meeting at short notice due to operational reasons following increased ferry traffic due to an unplanned road closure diversion due to an accident, there was no update from Western Ferries. |
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FERRIES UPDATE
Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.
:
Minutes:
Argyll Ferries
Simon Richmond and Scott Goodwill from Argyll Ferries
provided the Forum with the following update:
·
Caledonian MacBrayne
was the preferred bidder in the recent tendering process for the contract which
will start in October 2016.
·
The impact of RET means that Colintraive
service continues to be busy.
·
The network on a whole continues to be busy.
·
The contract for the current Argyll Ferries
service will be up for renewal in 2017.
·
Additional sailings will be provided over the Cowal Games weekend.
·
Seven percent of sailings were cancelled in May
2016.
The Forum held a conversation regarding the frequency of
cancelled services or possibilities of disruption to services and how this
could be better advertised. It was noted that community councils have had
public representation regarding the difficulties in planning journeys due to
not knowing of possible disruptions to services in advance. It was also noted that
Argyll Ferries currently have a text messaging service as well updates being
widely available through social media.
Western Ferries
Gordon Ross from Western Ferries provided the Forum with the
following update:
·
Uptake on service is higher this year.
·
Western Ferries currently have 100% reliability
year to date.
·
The tender process for the Dunoon
Gourock service currently being run by Argyll Ferries
is now underway but no documentation from the Scottish Government has been
released.
·
McGills buses have
launched a new timetable which will provide an additional mid-week service.
·
A planning application has been submitted to
create a new berthing space and linkspan at McInroy’s point. Once this is completed the same works will
be carried out at Hunter’s Quay.
Actions
1. Simon
Richmond will contact CMAL regarding providing a response to the letter sent by
the Transport Forum.
2. Community
Transport Officer will ask McGills for an update
regarding the waiting times to link up to the Clydebank bus.
3.
Community Transport Officer to liaise with City
Link regarding the missing connection on the Inveraray
to Oban route.
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FERRIES UPDATE
Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.
:
Minutes:
Argyll Ferries
Simon Richmond from Argyll Ferries provided the Forum with
the following update;
·
Argyll Ferries passenger numbers have decreased
by 105 over the winter.
·
The Argyll Flyer will undergo a refit[%1] .
·
The marketing department is currently working on
promoting the Cowal Games weekend.
·
Summer timetable is now in place.
·
Colintraive ferry has
been very busy due to Wemmys Bay ferry closure.
·
A yellow level of service has been introduced
which indicates to Ferry Users that ferries are running as intended but may
experience disruption.
Western Ferries
Gordon Ross from Western Ferries provided the Forum with the
following update:
·
Joint ticketing exercise that was put in place
due to the Wemmys Bay ferry closure has worked well.
·
Clyde and Hebridean
routes tender – Gordon Ross updated on discussions with the tenderers for the
Clyde and Hebridean routes and set out possible
opportunities to enhance customer access to the full range of ferries.
·
Plans are in place to replace existing linkspans and improvements to the berthing structure as
well as improvements to the Kilmun Pier, with a hope
to begin works in the next few months and an estimated completion date of
December 2016.
Actions
1. Community
Transport Officer to look into connecting bus service with the 20.20 ferry.
2. Willie
Lynch asked for a response on the feedback that Argyll Ferries had requested
from him. Simon Richmond agreed to provide this.
3. Figures
on the uptake of RET to be brought to the June Transport Forum meeting.
4.
The Forum agreed that a letter should be sent to
CMAL to express their concerns at the current steps berthing system and whether
a more suitable pontoon system can be put in place. Ian McNaughton agreed to
draft this letter which will then be circulated to the Forum for comment.
[%1]My
notes aren’t entirely clear on the point, but I thought the refit was to
come?
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FERRIES UPDATE
Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.
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Minutes:
Argyll Ferries
A representative from Argyll Ferries was not present at the meeting and therefore no update was provided.
Willie Lynch informed the Group that the unsuitability of disabled access at Argyll ferries has now been escalated to the attention of the Transport Minister as previous engagement with Argyll Ferries on the subject has not resolved the issue.
Actions
1. Senior Area Committee Assistant to circulate copies of the letter to the Transport Minister to the Forum.
2. Councillor McNaughton to discuss with the Area Governance Manager if there is anything that can be done to help provide a solution to the disabled access issue.
Western Ferries
Gordon Ross from Western Ferries provided the Forum with a brief update, which included the increase of ferry traffic due to road closures and the cancellation of the Gourock Bute ferry on the 30th December 2015. Gordon reported that during times of very high ferry traffic they work very closely with the police and the situations were managed well with no complaints received. It was also noted that Western Ferries would have their drydock period between February and March and that there are no changes to the previous summer timetable.
Actions
1. Keith Murray to find out how many cars go through the relief road on an hourly basis when the A83 is closed and feed back to Gordon Ross.
2. Councillor McNaughton and the Senior Area Committee Assistant to enquire if there are any known issues surrounding the gaps between the trains and platforms at Gourock and then report back to the Forum.
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