Comments on: Jura Passenger Ferry Under Threat http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/transport/jura-passenger-ferry-under-threat/ A Blog about the Isle of Jura off the West Coast of Scotland Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:50:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dave http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/transport/jura-passenger-ferry-under-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-1987 Dave Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:53:28 +0000 http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/?p=219#comment-1987 The ferry is subsidised by A&BC, which is why it can be done at this price. But even so, it looks as though the price is proving a turn-off for some potential users. The only solutions would seem to be increasing the subisdy (ho-ho!), or selling more seats. The ferry is subsidised by A&BC, which is why it can be done at this price. But even so, it looks as though the price is proving a turn-off for some potential users. The only solutions would seem to be increasing the subisdy (ho-ho!), or selling more seats.

]]> By: Gavin http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/transport/jura-passenger-ferry-under-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-1984 Gavin Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:58:23 +0000 http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/?p=219#comment-1984 One of the problems the Ferry faces is in essence its running costs.The type of stern drives that the Ferry runs, consume up tops about 5 gallons an hour per engine, so if it takes an hour to go to Tayvallich, and an hour back, allowing for pushing into a bit of bad weather etc, the rib might burn 20 gallons about 90 ltrs of diesel per round trip, at a pound a litre thats 90 pounds, never mind other costs, over heads, repaying the boat, engine maintainance, servicing, insurance, and of course wages. I am amazed they are able to do it for the price that they are.If we want the luxury of taking a direct Ferry, with limited seating , fast and only 11m long, then unfortunately it has to be paid for, and if people do decide not to use it , it may cease to operate, and I suppose which is worse, No Ferry, or one which costs a little more One of the problems the Ferry faces is in essence its running costs.The type of stern drives that the Ferry runs, consume up tops about 5 gallons an hour per engine, so if it takes an hour to go to Tayvallich, and an hour back, allowing for pushing into a bit of bad weather etc, the rib might burn 20 gallons about 90 ltrs of diesel per round trip, at a pound a litre thats 90 pounds, never mind other costs, over heads, repaying the boat, engine maintainance, servicing, insurance, and of course wages.
I am amazed they are able to do it for the price that they are.If we want the luxury of taking a direct Ferry, with limited seating , fast and only 11m long, then unfortunately it has to be paid for, and if people do decide not to use it , it may cease to operate, and I suppose which is worse, No Ferry, or one which costs a little more

]]> By: Dave http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/transport/jura-passenger-ferry-under-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-1911 Dave Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:24:19 +0000 http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/?p=219#comment-1911 That all makes sense Ron. The service is very well integrated with buses at the mainland end, with good timetabled connections to Lochgilphead and Oban. But not on the Jura side. Maybe someone on the island could have a word in Alex D's ear? That all makes sense Ron. The service is very well integrated with buses at the mainland end, with good timetabled connections to Lochgilphead and Oban. But not on the Jura side. Maybe someone on the island could have a word in Alex D’s ear?

]]> By: Ron http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/transport/jura-passenger-ferry-under-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-1901 Ron Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:55:40 +0000 http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/?p=219#comment-1901 That seems like a good idea Dave but I also think they should do a bit more than that. The passenger ferry should be part of, and much more integrated in the public transport network. I received an email last weekend from a reader who asked me if I knew people who used the Jura passenger ferry to travel to Islay. I don't know of any do you? I think the Jura passenger ferry could be a good alternative for people who travel to Islay, specially when they come from Oban or even Glasgow. Obviously they would need public transport from Craighouse to Feolin but that shouldn't be too hard to arrange? It could save people a couple of hours travelling time and it would certainly fill those empty seats on the ferry. All that's required is publicity. I found out that a lot of people aren't aware of this new ferry service and therefore don't use it. And yes, they should have never raised the fares but lowered them instead to a maximum of £12 or so for a single fare or even less. With the current fares you don't want to make a daytrip to Jura with a family of four staying in Kintyre but you go to Gigha instead which is £2.95 for a single trip. A daytrip to Jura for them is £140 and a daytrip to Gigha with that same family of four is £23.60. How about that? That seems like a good idea Dave but I also think they should do a bit more than that. The passenger ferry should be part of, and much more integrated in the public transport network. I received an email last weekend from a reader who asked me if I knew people who used the Jura passenger ferry to travel to Islay. I don’t know of any do you?

I think the Jura passenger ferry could be a good alternative for people who travel to Islay, specially when they come from Oban or even Glasgow. Obviously they would need public transport from Craighouse to Feolin but that shouldn’t be too hard to arrange? It could save people a couple of hours travelling time and it would certainly fill those empty seats on the ferry.

All that’s required is publicity. I found out that a lot of people aren’t aware of this new ferry service and therefore don’t use it. And yes, they should have never raised the fares but lowered them instead to a maximum of £12 or so for a single fare or even less. With the current fares you don’t want to make a daytrip to Jura with a family of four staying in Kintyre but you go to Gigha instead which is £2.95 for a single trip. A daytrip to Jura for them is £140 and a daytrip to Gigha with that same family of four is £23.60. How about that?

]]> By: Dave http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/transport/jura-passenger-ferry-under-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-1895 Dave Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:18:15 +0000 http://www.jurainfo.com/blog/?p=219#comment-1895 As you say, Ron, this is unwelcome news but not unexpected. The fares on the passenger ferry have always been on the high side, ever since it started a couple of years ago. But the big mistake, surely, was putting the single fare up from £15 in 2008 to £17.50 this year. That's a whacking 17% increase, at a time when general inflation is running at less than 2%. No wonder people are voting with their feet! Obviously with A&BC planning huge budget cuts this is no time to be seeking a bigger subsidy! But now that the service has run for a couple of years, it should be possible to do some targeted discountiing of tickets on certain journeys - the days and times which have proved to be less popular up to now. This should help to fill some empty seats and may enable the service to continue in the future. As you say, Ron, this is unwelcome news but not unexpected. The fares on the passenger ferry have always been on the high side, ever since it started a couple of years ago. But the big mistake, surely, was putting the single fare up from £15 in 2008 to £17.50 this year. That’s a whacking 17% increase, at a time when general inflation is running at less than 2%. No wonder people are voting with their feet!

Obviously with A&BC planning huge budget cuts this is no time to be seeking a bigger subsidy! But now that the service has run for a couple of years, it should be possible to do some targeted discountiing of tickets on certain journeys – the days and times which have proved to be less popular up to now. This should help to fill some empty seats and may enable the service to continue in the future.

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