Wemyss Bay and Largs routes surpass Ardrossan Arran as busiest. Ferry breakdowns and harbor issues caused declines.
The Ardrossan to Brodick route saw fewer riders. Passenger numbers dropped by 9.3 percent last year, while car numbers fell by 6.6 percent versus the prior year.
The MV Caledonian Isles broke down in January 2023, causing many problems. It still hasn’t returned to service yet. This ferry carries many people, holding 1,000 passengers and 110 cars. The crossing takes 55 minutes.
A smaller ferry, MV Isle of Arran, replaced it. The big ferry should return in late March after getting a major update. The Ardrossan harbor also had problems. Peel Ports closed the Irish Berth, which MV Alfred used.
Deterioration caused the closure. MV Alfred had to use Troon harbor instead. The Troon route takes longer, which meant fewer sailings could happen. CalMac said capacity issues and the absence of the MV Caledonian Isles caused the drop.
The Ardrossan to Arran route transported 657,534 people in 2024, less than 2023’s 724,815. Car journeys also declined, with 2024 seeing 171,544 vehicles compared to 2023’s 183,593 cars.
The Largs-Cumbrae route is very popular. Passenger and car numbers fell by 2 percent. They carried 707,480 riders and transported 195,105 cars in 2024.
A CalMac spokesperson commented on the data, stating the older ferry caused issues. The MV Isle of Arran has less space. The new MV Glen Sannox should help solve those issues, aiming to give Arran a reliable service.