News / NorthLink’s struggle to cope with demand for bookings
IT LOOKS as though the NorthLink website is being overwhelmed by traffic after the chance to book journeys for the period up to the end of September became available earlier today (Tuesday).
NorthLink announced that bookings were open shortly after lunchtime which sparked demand on the company’s website and telephone lines by islanders and tourists alike.
By the middle of the afternoon, more and more people reported they could not get through either way, but NorthLink maintained that there were no technical issues.
By 4pm most people appeared to be unable to get onto the website with one reader reporting he had tried for two hours and all he got was a ‘502 bad gateway’ message.
NorthLink has been contacted again.
Islanders had been waiting for months for the 2023/24 booking to open as delays by Transport Scotland to set fares was in danger undermining tourism and islanders’ plans for the summer.
Up to now people could only book up to the end of March while the Scottish Government was reviewing fares.
At the weekend Transport Scotland announced a fare freeze until September indicating that the booking system would become available later in the week.
Earlier today Jim Dow, Serco’s commercial director for NorthLink Ferries, said: “We are pleased to be able to open our booking system up to September 2023, allowing people to book travel both to and from Shetland and Orkney.
“Last year’s passenger numbers show how popular the Northern Isles are with visitors, and we are committed to supporting the tourism sector while continuing to provide the lifeline service for islanders.”
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