CalMac is managing to enrage passengers waiting at Uig this morning. Technical problems with the regular ferry at Lochmaddy emerged before 7.30am but CalMac has again failed to send out texts with the details.
Not every passenger listens to Gaelic radio or even Radio Scotland and CalMac simply cannot be bothered to let them know what is happening.
In fact, CalMac is sending the ferry Isle of Lewis over to rescue them but, yet again, CalMac puts no importance on actually telling the passengers what is happening with its much-vaunted text service which it boasts so much about in its promotional material.
Very poor show this morning, guys. With about half the ministers in the Scottish Government desperate to bring in the crooks at Serco to replace you, you should be on the ball – particularly now. (Note to lawyers: Serco defrauded the UK Government out of £68.5 million by deliberately overcharging for the tagging of criminals.)
By the way, should CalMac staff really be telling customers that they do not know what is happening at Lochmaddy because they have not been in the office for long? Should they not be fully up to speed on disruptions before they even answer the phone? Who is in charge of staff training? Can we expect an explanation? Probably not.
Oh, and while I am at it, your staff at Uig have failed to offer complimentary beverage vouchers. Again. I understand some parched passengers have decided they have to go and demand something. Again.
Update: As a grumpy CalMac chap has finally walked round the cars to tell the waiting drivers and passengers, the ferry Isle of Lewis will leave Uig at 1.15pm. I suspect some of these passengers may recount their experiences at the hands of CalMac later on Facebook.
I was one of these passengers. Heard the announcement on Radio Scotland but at 8.15 were told by Cal Mac – no we do not have any problems. Radio nan Gaidheal knew about it when I called, as then did Cal Mac at 8.30am. Did not get any texts till 10.10 after we had been informed by a man on foot re what was happening…no sorry….no tea…..nothing!!!! I was glad to see the Isle of Lewis – and felt really sad on board. The captain apologised for very poor selection of food but he was sure we would find something to eat…..not even a free cup of tea on board. The toilets were in a sad state, some of them no water, no locks and one full to the brim. I finally got home by 5pm since I started my journey at 7.30am…….Cal Mac – we the passengers expect and should get better service from you by now, we have been with you long enough and depend on you, but today was I felt a really shabby day in your history…….