Transport / Ferry service could reduce further
THERE is a possibility that inter-island ferry services may be reduced further, according to Shetland Islands Council chief executive Maggie Sandison.
Four main routes – Bluemull Sound, Yell Sound, Whalsay and Bressay – are now on a reduced Saturday timetable as part of attempts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Sandison said on Monday that the council would be engaging further with island communities, with the chance that services could reduce again.
It came after the council restricted transport on the ferries to critical travel only for islanders and people providing essential services.
A key part of the reduction in journeys relates to maintaining a service amid possible staff absence, although usage will inevitably drop as more people stay at home.
“What we’re doing at the moment is applying the Saturday timetable, but we will be engaging with communities,” Sandison said.
“Basically the advice is very clear: there should be no travel unless it’s for particular purposes. There shouldn’t be any social traveling – it should be you’re either doing grocery shopping, travelling to work and travelling to care.
“One of the things we want to do is look at the need for people to travel to work, so we’re making sure that we’re actually meeting the islands’ need. There is a possibility that we may drop down again, but some of that may be about trying to build a bit more resilience into the system.
“So if we can have a crew and a spare, that’s a really good thing because we’ve got resilience.”
Sandison added that future changes to the service “might mean moving people around different areas of Shetland”.
At the moment normal timetables still apply on the Skerries, Fair Isle, Foula and Papa Stour ferry routes.
You can read all of today’s coronavirus news on our live feed below:
Coronavirus latest – funding for Scottish seafood sector, council meetings cancelled
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.