Sticking POINT: The tribunal said Western Ferries was not fully certificated for the route between McInroy's Point and Hunter's Quay. Custom byline text: mark smith deputy business editor The company yesterday insisted that the decision will have no bearing on its tender for the Gourock-to-Dunoon ferry route. Meanwhile, Western’s critics expressed concern at the tribunal’s ruling that the Clyde crossing does not qualify as a river or estuary route, but is technically a sea-crossing, thereby leaving the door open for the company to revisit the issue in the future. Loa…

Gourock – Dunoon ferry users will welcome news an arrangement has been reached that makes town centre to town centre travel across the Clyde more resilient during bad weather. Dedicated replacement buses will now run between Argyll Ferries’ terminals at each town centre, when both its ships are off for prolonged periods, using Western Ferries’ service. Shuttle buses have been in place for some time to help alleviate disruption caused by cancellations, mostly due to adverse weather, however it was recognised a formal agreement would be beneficial. This has now been re…

The Harrop ferry will be out of service for maintenance from October 15th to October 30th, 2013. For this duration a pontoon barge will be in service to replace the Harrop ferry. Western Pacific Marine plans to complete the following maintenance: Hull plating, upgrade the drive system and rebuild the apron hinges As vehicle capacity is limited and the barge will be operating at a slower speeds, expect delays. Car pooling and public transportation are encouraged for this duration. A weight restriction of 35, 000 kg and a maximum length of 64 feet will be in place. We …

However, Western have also confirmed that there will be no fare increase for those travelling under the SPT Ferry Concessionary scheme. Fares under this scheme are being held at the current rate, despite SPT reducing the amount of compensation it pays to the operators. Western Ferries is the only ferry operator to waive the 90p single and the 1.30 return fare payable by SPT card holders. This gesture allows those with concessionary cards to continue to take advantage of of free passage on the Western route as foot or car passengers. Customers with a National Entitlem…

The service has been operated by CalMac for years, and the State-owned company has been forced to operate a strangled service with limited numbers of sailing, in order to avoid direct competition with the nearby Western Ferries service, which operated without restriction between Hunter’s Quay (near Dunoon) and McInroy’s Point (near Gourock). The CalMac service was limited to one sailing per hour, while Western sails up to four time per hour at peak periods. (I hope my recollection of reading the rules a few years ago is correct – I’m sure some reader will let me know…

Western Ferries operates a fleet of roll-on roll-off vehicle and passenger ferries on the short 20 minute sailing across the Firth of Clyde from McInroy's Point, Gourock to Hunter's Quay, Dunoon. Our frequent service operates from early morning to late evening, 365 days of the year, with sailings every 20 minutes throughout the majority of the day. Our service is increased to sailing every 15 minutes at peak times throughout the week. First sailing Mon - Fri 06:10 Sat - Sun 07:00 Last sailing Mon - Thurs 22:30 Fri - Sun 24:00 (A restricted timetable operates on 25, 2…

Gordon Ross, Managing Director of Dunoon company Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd, today (Tuesday) announced that, from March 25, the company will increase the number of early morning sailings. He also announced that most fares on the route will rise from April 1. The new timetable will see the three-vessel service commence from 7am on weekdays. There will now be 7am, 7.20am and 7.40am departures from Hunter’s Quay. The corresponding departures from McInroy’s Point will be 7.30am, 7.50am and 8.10am. Thereafter the three vessel service will continue through to 6pm Monday t…

Operator serving the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Check service status Visit website Reservations: 0845 6000 449 Orkney Ferries Runs services within the Okney Islands. Check service status Visit website Enquiry line: 01856 872044 P&O Ferries Ferry services crossing the Irish Sea. Visit website Enquiry line: 0871 66 44 999 Pentland Ferries Ferry services from Orkney to Gill's Bay. Visit website Enquiry line: 01856 831 226 Shetland Ferries Services operate within the Shetland Islands. Check service status Visit website Stena Line Services between the United Kingdom, Ir…