A new operator has been appointed for the Kilcreggan Ferry service, following responsibility of the route being taken over by the Scottish Government after an agreement was reached with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

CalMac will run the Kilcreggan to Gourock Ferry Service from 1^st June, when responsibility transfers to the Scottish Government.

The Kilcreggan Ferry Service has been plagued by problems over a number of years, resulting in the route being taken over in June 2018 by Clyde Marine Services, following poor service by the previous operator.

A campaign run by the local community and Jackie Baillie MSP, argued for the route to be taken over by Transport Scotland so that the Scottish Government could ensure it was adequately funded and maintained. After months of negotiation with SPT and Scottish Government Ministers, the Kilcreggan – Gourock Ferry Service has been taken over by the Transport Scotland. Jackie thanked Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, for the co-operative approach taken.

Following a tendering process, CalMac Ferries have been appointed as the new operators of the route, with an agreement for staff currently employed by Clyde Marine Services to be transferred over.

Local MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond, Jackie Baillie said:

“This is great news for local passengers. Over the last 2 years I have been working hard with local campaigners to secure the future of the Kilcreggan Ferry Service, through debates and questions in the Scottish Parliament, lobbying government ministers and SPT. I am glad an agreement has been reached which will secure the long term future of the route and the staff employed on it.

“Let me thank the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Transport Scotland and SPT for their collaborative approach to getting a solution.

“I want to thank Hamish Munro and Clyde Marine who have vastly improved the service since they took it over from the previous operator in June 2018 and welcome CalMac to the route. I am sure many local people will be pleased that the local service has a secure and bright future ahead.