WEST coast ferry operator CalMac is to stop taking cash on its ferries and ports in response to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organisation has advised against cash handling, and CalMac will stop taking cash payments from tomorrow (Saturday, March 28).

Travellers, who should only be making essential journeys on the ferries in line with strict government guidelines, can either pay by card, or Apple Pay or Google Pay where accepted.

Managing Director, Robbie Drummond, said: “We have introduced this measure in response to concerns raised by our staff and passengers.

“We are asking customers, who still require to use our ferries for essential travel, to ensure they have a valid debit or credit card with them as we will no longer handle cash. This is in line with most other organisations who have also stopped taking cash.”

The ferry operator introduced an 'Essential Lifeline Timetable' today (Friday, March 27) as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The new reduced timetable, which will run for an initial three-week period, comes amidst a lockdown on all but essential travel across the whole of the UK.

It will be subject to continual review in a rapidly changing environment, but they believe it is sustainable with their current crews.

All islands will receive a regular lifeline service ensuring essential goods and services are delivered. 

CalMac were due to transfer from their winter timetable to their normal summer timetable tomorrow but this revised timetable will come into effect instead.

In the last few days passengers on the entire service were down by 85 per cent, cars by 75 per cent and commercial traffic by 45 per cent.

In 2019 daily passenger numbers at the end of March were around 9,500, currently they are at 1,500 and these are expected to drop further.

CalMac has also seen 8,000 bookings cancelled through their small dedicated contact centre teams compared to just 300 in the same period last year.

This new timetable will see weekly sailings drop from 2419 to 948 against the normal winter timetable – a drop of almost 61 per cent.

"We believe that this timetable will be able to maximise use of available crews for the vessels and continue to provide our vital lifeline service for communities," said CalMac’s managing director Robbie Drummond.

“These are extreme times for businesses across Scotland, the UK and indeed the world. As this virus spreads there is the chance that pressure on crewing may require us to make further changes. In this eventuality, we will work to our agreed Route Prioritisation Matrix to ensure that all Islands receive a service. We are in daily contact with the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland to ensure we are on top of all the latest advice and guidance.”

“Given the lockdown from the government that has made travel essential only, we think this new timetable is one that best suits the needs of the communities we support," added Mr Drummond.

He said: “It is important that we continue to provide ferries that can take vital goods and services to our island communities and transport people who have essential travel needs. Community groups and key hauliers have been consulted to ensure that the supply chains can be maintained.”

CalMac last week announced that it was not taking any new advanced bookings on any of its routes until at least a travel date of July 15. It has also stopped selling any food, drink or retail on board any of its vessels. 

Staff at the CalMac contact centres have been swamped by a large number of calls and are having to reduce their numbers to accommodate absence. Refunds for cancelled sailings are being offered online only in a bid to relieve pressure on the centres.