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NorthLink reports 95% drop in passenger numbers over nine-week period due to coronavirus


By Alan Hendry

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NorthLink said the steep decline in passenger numbers due to Covid-19 was to be expected. Picture: NorthLink Ferries
NorthLink said the steep decline in passenger numbers due to Covid-19 was to be expected. Picture: NorthLink Ferries

Ferry company Serco NorthLink has revealed that passenger numbers across all its routes saw a 95 per cent drop over a nine-week period up to the end of May.

The impact of travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus crisis meant there were 3541 passengers between March 22 and May 31, compared with 69,458 over the same period in 2019.

NorthLink operates services between the Scottish mainland and the Northern Isles, including the Scrabster/Stromness link. The company is continuing to provide key worker travel as well as essential islander and freight connections.

Vehicle numbers for the period were recorded at 1368 – a reduction from 18,602 in 2019 (93 per cent).

Freight volumes, which provide essential inward supplies and services as well as outward exports, held up more strongly. There was an overall reduction in freight meterage of 27,173 after March 22 – a 24 per cent drop compared with the same period last year.

More than 9400 bookings have been cancelled to date during the Covid-19 lockdown period, resulting in a reduction of 31,208 passengers across all services. The company says this has led to more than £3.8 million in refunds being processed.

Serco’s managing director of NorthLink Ferries, Stuart Garrett, said: “We are currently running an essential lifeline service between the Scottish mainland and Orkney and Shetland and so it was expected that we would see a steep decline in numbers.

"We’re thanking passengers for their understanding and co-operation at this time and do remind them that by staying at home they are helping to keep themselves and others safe.”

Fifty passengers have been refused travel on NorthLink vessels during lockdown. The company is challenging passengers and denying boarding unless they are able to demonstrate that they meet the criteria of a key worker or an islander with a need to travel.

A statement from the company added: "If and when it is announced that non-essential travel can begin between the Scottish mainland and Northern Isles, then passengers who have had their booking suspended can rebook. Travel during this time will likely involve restrictions including physical distancing and continued screening of passengers, with reasons for travel potentially curtailed to support passenger volumes."

Details of the revised timetable and permitted reasons for travel can be found at www.northlinkferries.co.uk or by calling 0845 6000 449.


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