Wishart responds to NorthLink Ferries booking opening beyond December 2024

Responding to the opening of Serco NorthLink Ferries booking today beyond 31st December 2024 Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart said:

“I welcome today’s news that ferry bookings have at last opened beyond December 2024 until next year, but these repeated annual delays impact advance planning of trips, are a source of great frustration locally, and a solution must be found. 

“With two months until the end of the year many are still uncertain about their return ferry trips after the Christmas break.

“I have frequently raised the booking ‘cliff edge’ issue with the Scottish Government, and called for rolling bookings to replace the status quo, but the responses have sounded a bit like “the computer says no”. Is it really beyond the ability of Transport Scotland and Serco NorthLink to find a solution that can accommodate year round bookings with a proviso that passengers may experience a price increase before travel? 

“This is a lifeline service and its top priority should be to meet the needs of the island residents that it purports to serve. That includes a booking system that can take reservations a year in advance, all year round.”