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| MSP calls for Kilcreggan ferry contract to end early | MSP calls for Kilcreggan ferry contract to end early |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| MSP Jackie Baillie is calling for the early withdrawal of the publicly-funded Kilcreggan ferry contract following 10 days without a service. | |
| The last sailing to Gourock was on Monday 12 February with the operator, Clydelink, blaming electrical problems. | The last sailing to Gourock was on Monday 12 February with the operator, Clydelink, blaming electrical problems. |
| Its contract with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport ends in July. | Its contract with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport ends in July. |
| Ms Baillie has written to the chairman of SPT asking him to "do everything possible" to replace the current operator earlier than planned. | Ms Baillie has written to the chairman of SPT asking him to "do everything possible" to replace the current operator earlier than planned. |
| In her letter to Councillor Martin Bartos, she said: "Unless action is taken to resolve the situation, there will be no service to deliver by the time the new contract comes into effect." | In her letter to Councillor Martin Bartos, she said: "Unless action is taken to resolve the situation, there will be no service to deliver by the time the new contract comes into effect." |
| Clyde Marine is due to take over the contract on Sunday 15 July having become the only company to submit a bid. | Clyde Marine is due to take over the contract on Sunday 15 July having become the only company to submit a bid. |
| 'Level of incompetence' | |
| In the last year, Clydelink has been forced to withdraw service on both its Kilcreggan and Renfrew routes following technical problems and failed inspections. | In the last year, Clydelink has been forced to withdraw service on both its Kilcreggan and Renfrew routes following technical problems and failed inspections. |
| Ms Baillie said: "Clydelink never cease to amaze me with the sheer level of incompetence. | Ms Baillie said: "Clydelink never cease to amaze me with the sheer level of incompetence. |
| "Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspectors have found so many faults with the Island Princess over the past year that it raises serious concerns over whether Clydelink is a fit and proper company to operate a passenger ferry service. | "Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspectors have found so many faults with the Island Princess over the past year that it raises serious concerns over whether Clydelink is a fit and proper company to operate a passenger ferry service. |
| "Now that SPT has already appointed a new operator, I see no reason why the start date cannot be brought forward." | "Now that SPT has already appointed a new operator, I see no reason why the start date cannot be brought forward." |
| Clydelink have been unavailable for comment, with all telephone lines diverting to a recorded message. | Clydelink have been unavailable for comment, with all telephone lines diverting to a recorded message. |
| The only way passengers have found out about disruption has been via the company's Twitter account. | The only way passengers have found out about disruption has been via the company's Twitter account. |
| Rona Grierson works in Glasgow and uses the ferry daily to commute to the office. | Rona Grierson works in Glasgow and uses the ferry daily to commute to the office. |
| When the ferry isn't running, she drives for 30 minutes to Helensburgh in order to get a train, with the entire journey taking nearly two hours. | When the ferry isn't running, she drives for 30 minutes to Helensburgh in order to get a train, with the entire journey taking nearly two hours. |
| Mrs Grierson said her journey to work was affected 25 times last year due to technical issues. | Mrs Grierson said her journey to work was affected 25 times last year due to technical issues. |
| "As well as the inconvenience of the additional time, its the cost of fuel by driving 30 minutes each way," she said. | "As well as the inconvenience of the additional time, its the cost of fuel by driving 30 minutes each way," she said. |
| "I have previously asked SPT for a refund on my Zone Card but all they would offer was a discount off my next purchase. | "I have previously asked SPT for a refund on my Zone Card but all they would offer was a discount off my next purchase. |
| "I now work from home one day a week as the ferry service is so unreliable." | "I now work from home one day a week as the ferry service is so unreliable." |
| In the letter to SPT, Ms Baillie also questioned the operator's claim that electrical problems were the reason for disruption. | In the letter to SPT, Ms Baillie also questioned the operator's claim that electrical problems were the reason for disruption. |
| "I understand from local sources that the Island Princess is in fact out of service because it is undergoing a pre-planned annual inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency," she said. | "I understand from local sources that the Island Princess is in fact out of service because it is undergoing a pre-planned annual inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency," she said. |
| "I also understand that several deficiencies have been found which are more serious than minor electrical issues, including faults below the waterline." | "I also understand that several deficiencies have been found which are more serious than minor electrical issues, including faults below the waterline." |
| The local community recorded a satirical song to highlight longstanding problems with the ferry service. | The local community recorded a satirical song to highlight longstanding problems with the ferry service. |
| Mrs Grierson is involved in the user group formed to maintain pressure on SPT and the operator while promoting the service to the community. | Mrs Grierson is involved in the user group formed to maintain pressure on SPT and the operator while promoting the service to the community. |
| She said: "The communities concern is that Clydelink leave the service off and leave us with nothing until July. | She said: "The communities concern is that Clydelink leave the service off and leave us with nothing until July. |
| "The fact that the service has been so unreliable has already made a big impact on passenger numbers. | "The fact that the service has been so unreliable has already made a big impact on passenger numbers. |
| "We are concerned that the Scottish government or SPT could withdraw funding for the service because it is no longer seen as viable." | "We are concerned that the Scottish government or SPT could withdraw funding for the service because it is no longer seen as viable." |
| Ms Baillie added: "It is becoming increasingly clear that passengers cannot wait until summer for the service to improve." | Ms Baillie added: "It is becoming increasingly clear that passengers cannot wait until summer for the service to improve." |