Oban - Lismore
Headline route information
- Mainland port: Oban
- Island port: Lismore
- Check-in-time: 10-minutes prior to departure for passengers and cars
- Crossing time: 55-minutes
- Vessel: MV Loch Striven
- Overnight berth: Oban
Introduction
The Oban – Lismore route is operated by a single Loch Class vessel, MV Loch Striven. Lismore has a secondary route operated by Argyll & Bute Council to Port Appin.
Step 1: Route Service Level
The table below sets out the incremental ‘Route Service Levels’ which have been developed for this methodology:
| Level | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | Shared single vessel, single crewed | Several routes in Orkney including: Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre; Stromness - Graemsay / Hoy; and Houton - Lyness / Flotta |
| B | Shared single vessel, with more than a single crew | Uig - Tarbert / Lochmaddy (summer, currently) |
| C | Dedicated single vessel, single crewed | Various 'small vessel' routes in the CHFS network, e.g., Sconser - Raasay, Tayinloan - Gigha etc |
| D | Dedicated single vessel with more than a single crew | Colintraive - Rhubodach, which uses a shift system to offer an extended operating day |
| E | Two dedicated vessels, each with a single crew | There are no routes with this operating model currently, Wemyss Bay - Rothesay being the closest |
| F | Two dedicated vessels, with one operating with more than a single crew | Several routes on the Shetland inter-island network, e.g., Symbister - Laxo / Vidlin |
| G | Two dedicated vessels, with both operating with more than a single crew | CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) Gourock - Dunoon route |
Where the table refers to ‘more than a single crew’ (Levels B, D, F and G), this could be a small additional crew complement to extend the day or a full second crew. The crewing model will be described in the narrative which follows.
The operating day of a single crewed vessel is limited to the maximum hours that can be delivered by a single crew within the hours of work regulations and crew contractual agreements. ‘More than a single crew’ is where a small number of additional crew are added to the complement to extend the operating day. However, this falls short of a full extra crew.
The table below allocates the Oban - Lismore route to its relevant Route Service Level for both the winter and summer timetables, with commentary provided in the following sections.
| Timetable/Route Service Level | Level A | Level B | Level C | Level D | Level E | Level F | Level G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Summer | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Categorisation of waters
The Oban - Lismore route operates in ‘open seas’ and thus is governed by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018. The provisions of this legislation are covered in Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 1877.
The key stipulations of MSN 1877 are as follows:
- On a sea-going vessel, the minimum hours of rest are:
- 10-hours in any 24-hour period
- 77-hours in any seven-day period (i.e., a maximum 91-hour week)
- The 10-hours of rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of which is to be at least 6-hours in length
- It is also noted that, where a seafarer whose normal period of rest on board a ship is disturbed by a call-out, they should have a period of compensatory rest, as noted in the Merchant Shipping Notice, (MSN) 1877 (M) Amendment 1.
The Oban - Lismore route is operated by ships from the ‘Small Vessel’ fleet, with crew living ashore.
Length of operating day
Winter
The table below summarises the length of the operating day and week for the Oban - Lismore service.
| Day | Start-Up | Sailing-Day | Close Down | Length of operating day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Tuesday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Wednesday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Thursday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Friday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Saturday | 0:30 | 10:55 | 0:30 | 11:55 |
| Sunday | 0:30 | 8:55 | 0:30 | 9:55 |
| Total | 3:30 | 81:55 | 3:30 | 88:55 |
MV Loch Striven is operated by a single mainland-based crew and can deliver the weekly sailing hours within the regulatory maximum. The crew work on a one-week on, one-week off basis.
For ‘core’ (i.e. route) crew, it is their responsibility to find local accommodation. CFL provides an allowance for pool crew when they have to overnight away from home. There are very few ‘boatman’s houses’ remaining on the network, with pool crew generally booked into a hotel or B&B (or in some cases using a motorhome or caravan).
Summer
The table below summarises the length of the operating day and week in summer:
| Day | Start-Up | Sailing-Day | Close Down | Length of operating day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Tuesday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Wednesday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Thursday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Friday | 0:30 | 12:25 | 0:30 | 13:25 |
| Saturday | 0:30 | 12:55 | 0:30 | 13:55 |
| Sunday | 0:30 | 7:55 | 0:30 | 8:55 |
| Total | 3:30 | 82:55 | 3:30 | 89:55 |
The winter crewing arrangement is the same as the summer, with a single shore-based crew delivering the timetable within the regulation hours.
Route specific characteristics
- A study undertaken by MVA Consultancy in 2008-09 recommended the discontinuation of the Oban – Lismore route and its replacement with an enhanced Port Appin to Point route. However, the introduction of MV Loch Striven and RET, combined with a potential ‘use it or lose it’ effect, has led to significant growth on the Oban route
- The Argyll & Bute Council supported Port Appin – Point route continues to play an important role in Lismore’s transport provision. It is a short and low cost passenger crossing, with many Lismore residents leaving their primary vehicle at Port Appin
- A tidal timetable operated on 34 days in the summer 2023 timetable and 45 days in the 2023-24 winter timetable. It is understood that, at very low tides, the transition angle from the vessel to the slipway can be too acute
Step 2: Analysis of connectivity
This section summarises headline connectivity in terms of the number of ferry connections provided and time on-mainland and on-island. The interactive dashboard includes further detailed connectivity analysis, including information related to onward connectivity.
Winter Connections
The tables below summarise the first departure, last arrival, number of connections per day and time on mainland / island:
| Sailing Details | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| First departure | 06:45 | 08:00 | 09:00 |
| Last arrival | 19:10 | 18:55 | 17:55 |
| No. of sailings | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Time on mainland | 08:35 | 07:05 | 05:05 |
| Time on island | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Sailing Details | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| First departure | 07:45 | 09:00 | 10:00 |
| Last arrival | 18:10 | 17:55 | 16:55 |
| No. of sailings | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Time on mainland | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Time on island | 10:35 | 09:05 | 07:05 |
The key points of note from the above tables are as follows:
- The winter timetable on the Lismore route is not particularly intensive relative to other similar short routes. Monday to Saturday, there are four return crossings per day but several lengthy gaps between sailings. This timetable likely reflects demand on the route and provides Lismore residents with the ability to make a day return trip to Oban seven days a week
- As with many of the ‘Small Vessel’ routes in winter, the service is significantly reduced on a Sunday, in this case operating at half its weekday frequency
- It should be noted that time on mainland and time on island are calculated from published timetables and may differ slightly from the interactive dashboard, which is based on actual departure and arrival times.
Summer Connections
The tables below summarise the first departure, last arrival, number of connections per day and time on mainland / island:
| Sailing Details | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| First departure | 06:45 | 08:00 | 10:00 |
| Last arrival | 19:10 | 20:55 | 17:55 |
| No. of sailings | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Time on mainland | 08:35 | 09:05 | 04:05 |
| Time on island | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Sailing Details | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| First departure | 07:45 | 09:00 | 11:00 |
| Last arrival | 18:10 | 19:55 | 16:55 |
| No. of sailings | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Time on mainland | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Time on island | 10:35 | 11:05 | 06:05 |
With the exception of some minor differences in timings, the summer timetable is almost identical to its winter counterpart. The only difference of note is the provision of an evening ‘on request’ Saturday sailing, providing up to five return crossings per day on the route. This sailing allows Lismore residents to benefit from additional time on mainland, including partaking in early evening social activities in Oban.
Sunday time on-mainland and island is however marginally reduced.
Connecting public transport
The interactive dashboard incorporates a detailed breakdown of onward connectivity from all ports on the network, including connecting bus and rail services and contour-based journey time mapping. Key headlines include:
- There are five Glasgow Queen Street – Oban trains per day in either direction. The relatively long gaps between trains mean that wait times can be long in Oban. That said, the 08:40 and 15:55 arrivals into Oban are particularly well-timed for connecting trains to Glasgow Queen Street. Similarly, the train meets the 14:00 ferry to Lismore. The end-to-end journey time by train from Oban to Glasgow Queen Street is circa 3h15m
- Scottish Citylink operates six coach connections per day between Glasgow and Oban. The journey time is approximately three hours
- There are a range of local bus connections serving Oban and its hinterland
The figure below shows onward connectivity (drive times) by car from Oban and Lismore, up to a 120-minute journey time. This is broken down to journey times of 1-30 minutes (in green), 31-60 minutes (in yellow), 61-90 minutes (in amber) and 91-120 minutes (in red)::
Step 3: Carryings, capacity utilisation and performance
This section sets out the key route headlines with regards to carryings, capacity utilisation and performance – described in the form of answers to questions. The data / charts underlying this commentary are included in Appendix A, and detailed route specific data, including sailing-by-sailing analysis, is provided in the interactive dashboard. The appendix covers the period to the end of calendar year 2022, as a full year of 2023 sailing-by-sailing data was not available at the time of its production.
What have been the key supply-side changes since 2014?
In order to understand recent route trends with regards to carryings, capacity utilisation and performance, it is important to record the primary supply-side changes over the last decade or so.
2013
- Whilst prior to 2014, it is worth noting that the Loch Class MV Loch Striven replaced the much smaller Island Class MV Eigg on the route in this year. This change, combined with the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET, see below), has led to a significant increase in carryings
2015
- RET was introduced onto the Oban - Lismore route in October 2015. This led to the average passenger and car fares being reduced by 17% and 50% This can be seen on page 17 of Transport Scotland’s Evaluation of Road Equivalent Tariff on the Clyde and Hebridean Network.
How have carryings changed over time?
- Passenger carryings had been growing strongly prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing by 28% between 2014 and 2019. Whilst there was a significant pandemic-related reduction, passenger numbers had almost fully recovered their 2019 level by 2022 (98%)
- Car carryings grew particularly strongly following the introduction of MV Loch Striven in 2013 and RET in October 2015 and, by 2019, were 96% higher than in 2014. Car carryings have recovered and indeed exceeded their 2019 level, standing at 124% of their 2019 level in 2022
- The introduction of a larger drive through vessel with a higher vehicle capacity also facilitated a growth in commercial vehicle traffic, which increased by 16% between 2014 and 2019, albeit this increase was small in absolute terms
How has reliability and punctuality changed over time?
- The number of cancelled sailings has steadily increased since 2017, likely reflecting the network-wide challenges of fleet and infrastructure age
- There are relatively few delayed sailings on this route, likely in-part due to its relatively relaxed timetable
Why are sailings cancelled?
- Adverse weather is the main reason for cancelled services
- 2021 was a particularly prominent year for cancellations, which the data suggests was driven by a spike in sailings cancelled due to tidal conditions, although it is not entirely clear why this differed from earlier years in this respect
Why are sailings delayed?
- There is no single over-riding cause of delay. Delays are caused by a range of factors including weather, tides and knock-on delays from previous sailings. However, it is worth reiterating that the overall number of delayed sailings on this route is relatively small
How many days per year do services operate to timetable?
- The route consistently operates to timetable on most days – with the exception of 2021 where there was disruption on the route, the service operates to timetable on nine out of ten days over average
- The vast majority of sailings (circa 96%) operate to timetable. Even in 2021 when there was disruption on the route, 93% of sailings still operated to timetable
How often has the vehicle deck been full or nearly full?
2014-2022
- Despite operating with a relatively small vessel and with a strong growth in both car and commercial vehicle traffic, vehicle deck capacity is rarely an issue on this route
- The above said, the proportion of sailings where the car deck is 50%-74% occupied has been increasing steadily since the pandemic
2022 by month
- Vehicle deck capacity is not a notable problem on this route at any time of year. As is common across the network, the largest proportion of high utilisation sailings are between July and September. However, the current timetable has sufficient slack to allow additional sailings to be operated if this was necessary