Bus and ferry services cut back
Bus and ferry timetables are being scaled back as demand for public transport drops with Scots being urged to stay at home to slow the spread of Covid-19.
First Glasgow has announced that bus services will operate to a reduced timetable during the working week from Sunday, March 29th 2020, when services will be operating to a broadly Sunday timetable level but with additional journeys added earlier in the morning to sustain services for those key workers and emergency service staff needing to make essential travel across the region.
Recent days have seen the number of people using bus services continue to reduce as they adhere to the government lockdown.
Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of First Glasgow, said: “With much of the UK effectively ordered to stay at home for at least the next few weeks, we have made the decision to move to a reduced service timetable to support those who still need to get to and from work and get out to shops and pharmacies, whilst fulfilling our own role as vital key workers during this time of national crisis.
“Just a few weeks ago it was almost inconceivable that these restrictions would be in place, which only underlines what a challenging, dynamic and rapidly evolving situation the UK faces, and one which First Glasgow is monitoring and responding to day-by-day, hour-by-hour.
“It’s important to emphasise that we are in constant contact with stakeholders, including local authorities and ministers, and rest assured everything is being done to keep those key workers mobile as the nation comes together to limit the spread of coronavirus.
“I would like to personally thank everyone at First Glasgow who have been absolutely fantastic at keeping the wheels turning for the people of Glasgow.
“Regular customers can be assured we will endeavour to get more frequent services back up and running as soon as the Government decides it is safe to do so.”
People are advised to refer to the First Glasgow website for the most up to date service information, travel advice and information about Coronavirus.
And ferry operator CalMac is introducing an Essential Lifeline Timetable from Friday 27th March,
It will run for an initial three-week period and will be subject to continual review.
All islands will receive a regular lifeline service ensuring essential goods and services are delivered.
CalMac were due to transfer from their winter timetable to their normal summer timetable but this revised timetable will come into effect instead.
In the last few days passengers on the entire service were down by 85%, cars by 75% and commercial traffic by 45%. In 2019 daily passenger numbers at the end of March were around 9,500, currently they are at 1,500 and these are expected to drop further. CalMac has also seen 8,000 bookings cancelled through their small dedicated contact centre teams compared to just 300 in the same period last year.
‘We believe that this timetable will be able to maximise use of available crews for the vessels and continue to provide our vital lifeline service for communities, said CalMac’s Managing Director Robbie Drummond.
“These are extreme times for businesses across Scotland, the UK and indeed the world. As this virus spreads there is the chance that pressure on crewing may require us to make further changes. In this eventuality, we will work to our agreed Route Prioritisation Matrix to ensure that all Islands receive a service. We are in daily contact with the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland to ensure we are on top of all the latest advice and guidance.”
“Given the lockdown from the Government that has made travel essential only, we think this new timetable is one that best suits the needs of the communities we support."
“It is important that we continue to provide ferries that can take vital goods and services to our island communities and transport people who have essential travel needs. Community groups and key hauliers have been consulted to ensure that the supply chains can be maintained.”
CalMac last week announced that it was not taking any new advanced bookings on any of its routes until at least a travel date of 15 July. It has also stopped selling any food, drink or retail on board any of its vessels.
Staff at the CalMac contact centres have been swamped by a large number of calls and are having to reduce their numbers to accommodate absence. Refunds for cancelled sailings are being offered online only in a bid to relieve pressure on the centres.
The new timetable can be viewed on its website
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