CalMac exceeds five million passenger for first time in 20 years

Caledonian MacBrayne’s official carrying statistics for 2016 reveal that the west coast of Scotland ferry company passed five million passengers for the first time since 1997.

The company which operates the UK’s largest ferry network, with 32 vessels carrying out more than 136,000 individual sailings annually across an area which extends some 200 miles from Campbeltown on Kintyre and the Isle of Arran in the south, to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the north.

CalMac’s Managing Director Martin Dorchester, said: “Last year was our busiest in terms of passengers for two decades. This is a great reflection of the professionalism of our staff in dealing with an increase of more than 400,000 passengers and almost 190,000 cars, whilst still running a smooth operation to help all our travellers, whether islanders or visitors, business or pleasure to get where they are going.”

Scotland’s Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf said: “Passing the five million passenger mark is fantastic news and I congratulate all CalMac staff involved in delivering this achievement. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our island communities and ensuring these lifeline ferry services remain affordable for the remote communities that depend on them.”