CUMBRAE residents have slammed CalMac for removing monthly and yearly passes from the service to Largs – a decision they say will DOUBLE the cost of yearly travel for some.

The ferry operator removed the ability to buy long-term cheaper tickets in September, but the issue only came to light after future changes to the route’s ticketing system were announced.

CalMac says tickets such as the monthly and yearly passes are being phased out to comply with Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) rules.

Chris Sutherland, a facility technician who lives on the island and uses the ferry up to six times a week, believes the lack of communication about the change to residents is unacceptable.

He said: “I was only recently made aware that monthly, six monthly, and yearly passes had been removed, and upon further investigation I found out they were stopped at the end of September.

“I was lucky enough to purchase my current pass at the beginning of that month, but it is totally unacceptable that we are only finding out in December that this particular type of ticket is no longer an option.

“CalMac have made no effort to inform local commuters of the change and the information has had to come from the local ferry users group.

“Members of the Cumbrae Ferry Users Group have assured me that they will campaign to have the decision reversed.”

Chris reveals that the removal of the pass will more than double the cost of travel for many residents who use the service frequently.

He explained: “Currently the cost for a one year pass is just over £400, which entitles its holder to travel daily as a foot passenger.

“Without the pass, the cost to travel five days a week is £850, and some of us travel six days a week, which takes the spend to almost £1,000.

“CalMac have said that it does not need to offer a pass and that not enough people used it, but it was never advertised on any website or price guide.

“If you were not a local and did not know about the pass via word of mouth then you would not be aware it even existed.”

Chris claims the removal of the ticket is a money-making exercise by CalMa - and says the island is being damaged by such decisions.

He said: “I will be writing to CalMac, local councillors, MPs and Transport Scotland to hopefully have this decision overturned.

“I for one see this as a decision all about money by a a company that is meant to providing a lifeline public transport service.

“CalMac is on course to destroy Cumbrae as a place to live and a holiday destination, due to their ageing fleet, lack of investment and lack of drive to work with the community to better the service.”

A spokeswoman for CalMac said: “Since Transport Scotland introduced Road Equivalent Tariff (RET), which provides discounted ferry travel, we have been phasing out products such as season tickets.

“The rules regarding RET state that additional discounts on top of what are already cheaper tickets should not be sold.”