widget/exchange-29
widget/exchange-30widget/exchange-33
widget/exchange-31

Transport / NorthLink having a busy summer – but no sign of shared cabins or autumn bookings opening

Photo: NorthLink Ferries

SERCO NorthLink has revealed that services to and from Shetland experienced their busiest May on record last month.

Stuart Garrett, managing director at Serco NorthLink, told Shetland’s external transport forum on Tuesday that 6,977 cabins were sold last month alone.

Nearly 3,000 pods were sold in May this year, compared to 1,992 last year.

Passenger numbers to and from Aberdeen are up 25 per cent from the first quarter in 2022.

The boats are set to run near full capacity for much of June and July – leading to frustration among those trying to book on the ferry.

Garrett said the data combined with looking at the “coverage that Shetland gets, whether it’s the Attenborough programme, whether it’s the Shetland detective series…Shetland is definitely up there in terms of top tourist attractions”.

Shetland West councillor Liz Peterson brought up the survey currently being carried out by isles MSP Beatrice Wishart.

offset-carousel/post-mobile/0

MSP launches survey on NorthLink bookings

Peterson said NorthLink provides “a great service but it’s not enough for the people of Shetland”.

She said that it is clear from the increase in demand that Shetlanders “need more” or else it will continue to be “detrimental” to people and businesses in the isles.

Garrett said that he had seen the headlines following Wishart’s survey regarding people missing funerals because they could not make a booking, but they were “not issues that were brought to my attention”.

He reiterated that “there is always passenger capacity” even if cabins are unavailable.

Garrett also stated that it is “categorically not the case” that construction workers are making large block bookings for cabins, but that the group tour market remains popular.

However, they never allow more than two coaches per sailing to book cabins.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

Currently NorthLink’s system is only accepting bookings up until 30 September.

Brian Gordon from Transport Scotland said he is “acutely aware of the impact” this is having on islanders and that the government agency is currently working with ministers to set fares for October onwards.

There still is no sign of shared cabins returning either on the Northern Isles ferry service after they were stopped during the Covid pandemic.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
widget/pd_widget-6widget/pd_widget-7widget/exchange-53widget/exchange-54widget/pd_widget-8widget/exchange-55widget/pd_widget-9widget/exchange-56

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.