Bridge to Bute 'only way to combat high ferry fares'

sponsored survey has revealed.

The survey, carried out by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, is

critical of the island's ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne for failing

to provide a competitive service and leaving islanders stranded during

the winter after its early evening crossing.

Business groups are preparing to stage a public meeting to tell CalMac

to reappraise its service or risk hastening the demise of Bute's

economy.

Most Bute residents want to keep their special island status but 55%

of the 3000 who responded to the Lec survey said they would welcome a

permanent road link to span the Kyles of Bute to Colintraive on the

Cowal peninsula rather than continue facing high fares.

The third of a mile crossing between Rhubodaich on Bute and

Colintraive is one of the most costly ferry crossings by distance in

Europe at 70p per person and #5.20 for a car.

Travellers have also complained about charges for the half-hour

crossing across the Clyde from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay.

CalMac charges #2.55 per person and #9.10 for a car of less than four

metres long for this monopoly route, which is significantly higher than

the #2.10 per person and #5.70 for any car using its crossing between

Dunoon and Gourock, where it faces competition from Western Ferries.

The survey, which was commissioned by the Bute Transport Users Group,

showed that 71% of islanders wished to see a fast ferry/transport link

to Glasgow with 85% calling for reduced total travel time between the

island and the city.

On existing sailings, 24% welcomed the increased summer timetable but

wanted these extended to winter services. Other improvements requested

were late-night sailings, especially at weekends, special visitors

tickets, driver's fare included in the car price, and secure parking for

vehicles at terminals.

Further demands included the charging of cars at a single rate instead

of by length, less disparity of charges between the Rothesay and Dunoon

routes, a better range of concessionary and reduced fares, and

improvements to CalMac staff attitudes.

Dunoon-based Database Direct (Scotland) Research Division, authors of

the survey, claimed the views of the islanders were compounded by the

fact that in the absence of competition CalMac decisions were simplified

to maximise profits or minimise losses.

Mr Jim Lyle, president of Bute Merchants' Association, said: ''This

survey is a damning endictment of its service to this island. A bridge

would seem to many to be the only alternative to the problems we face.''

Mr Ray Dalton, chairman of Bute Transport Users Group, said the survey

was instigated to add weight to a campaign to improve the island's ferry

service.

''It costs an average family in a car #30 to come here, so the effect

on day trippers alone is obvious, while fares are prohibitive to

companies operating on the island,'' he said.

Mr Dalton said a public meeting would be called to decide how to lobby

both the Government and the ferry company.

However, a spokesman for CalMac said the options of a competing

service or a bridge were ''ridiculous'' and defended his company's

pricing policy. He claimed CalMac had never received complaints about

staff attitude.

He said options of 10 journey tickets which offer up to a #7.20 saving

on the normal single fares on the Wemyss Bay service and short break

returns of #3.70 proved the company was committed to providing

concessions.

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