Ferry staffing review proposed after surge

Ferry staffing review proposed after surge

19 October 2016

A PLANNED review of the Strangford Lough ferry service has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie.

The exercise — which will focus attention on staffing levels —  is to get underway following the arrival of a new £6m ferry which will replace the ageing MV Strangford.

The MV Strangford II is due to come into operation within the next weeks once a comprehensive staff training exercise has been completed by Transport NI.

During the summer, additional ferry staff were deployed to cope with the huge numbers of people making their way to Portaferry to visit the reopened Exploris aquarium. 

Transport NI revealed passenger numbers were almost 25,000 with vehicle numbers approaching 6,800, compared to an average of approximately 16,000 passengers and 5,500 vehicles over the previous weeks. 

Miss Ritchie said the additional staff helped with traffic management and ticket sales to allow additional crossings.

“Given the increase in the number of visitors to the area and the reopening of Exploris, I requested  that additional staff be brought in on a permanent basis,” the MP explained.

“I have been advised while deploying additional staff was a temporary measure to cope with the increase in demand for travel over the summer period, the ferry service will be reviewed when the new MV Strangford II is launched shortly.”

The MP said the review will ensure the ferry service “efficiently meets the longer term demand for crossings, including during times of peak travel.”

Miss Ritchie added: “It is vital that traffic management in Strangford continues and that visitors to the village have the best possible experience. 

“Tourism is one of our main economic drivers in South Down and we must ensure all of the government agencies invest in the development of tourism. 

“A first class experience for tourists will ensure increased economic growth for our local communities.”