Surveys examine demand for extra ferry sailings on Barra and Harris services

The Sound of Barra is between Ardmhor in Barra and Eriskay and the Sound of Harris is between Leverburgh on Harris and Berneray. 

Surveys are being undertaken on behalf of Highlands and Islands Regional Transport Partnership (HITRANS), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to collect information about the ways in which people use each ferry service and how that may change if the number of sailings was increased.

As an incentive to individuals to participate in the research, those responding can enter a prize draw to win an e-voucher worth £100 for a retailer of their choice.

The surveys are available online and can be accessed on our Outer Hebrides page.

The closing date for responses is Friday 18 March 2022.

Councillor Uisdean Robertson, HITRANS Board Member and the Comhairle’s Chair of Transportation, said: “We know how important the ferry services across the Sounds are and are aware of requests in recent years for there to be more sailings. We want to hear from residents and businesses who use these lifeline services to identify demand for increasing the number of sailings to these island destinations. A strong response will be a great help in our attempts to secure enhanced services.”

Joanna Peteranna, area manager for HIE’s Outer Hebrides team, said: “We are really keen to hear from local people and businesses about their views on increased ferry sailings across the Barra and Harris Sounds. This survey will assist us, and our partners, in making the case for communities in the Outer Hebrides to have increased ferry provision that would expand social and economic benefits across the islands.”

Suirbhidhean gan cur air bhonn gus iarrtas sheòlaidhean a bharrachd a Bharraigh agus na Hearadh a sgrùdadh

Thathar ag iarraidh air luchd-còmhnaidh agus gnothachasan a bhios a’ cleachdadh sheirbheisean aiseig ann an Caolas Bharraigh agus na Hearadh, am beachdan a nochdadh mu na buaidhean sòisealta agus eaconamach a thig an lùib meudachadh san àireamh de sheòlaidhean sna seirbheisean aiseig tarsainn an dà Chaolas.

Tha Caolas Bharraigh eadar an Àird Mhòr agus Èirisgeigh agus Caolas na Hearadh eadar Beàrnaraigh agus an t-Òb. 

Thathar a’ gabhail shuirbhidhean os làimh às leth Com-pàirteachas Còmhdhail Roinneil na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HITRANS), Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE) agus Comhairle nan Eilean Siar gus fiosrachadh a thional mu na dòighean sam bi daoine a’ cleachdadh gach seirbheis aiseig agus mar a dh’fhaodadh sin atharrachadh nan deigheadh an àireamh de sheòlaidhean a mheudachadh.

Mar bhrosnachadh gu com-pàirteachadh san rannsachadh, faodaidh iadsan a ghabhas pàirt an ainm a chur sa chrannchur gus e-eàrlas fiach £100 a bhuannachadh airson a chosg ann am bùth den roghainn fhèin. 

Tha na suirbhidhean rim faotainn air-loidhne agus gheibhear cothrom orra tron cheangal a leanas www.hie.co.uk/outerhebrides 

Bidh an ceann-latha deireannach do fhreagairtean air Dihaoine 18 Màrt 2022.

Thuirt an Comhairliche Ùisdean Robasdan, Ball Bùird HITRANS agus Cathraiche Còmhdhail na Comhairle: “Tha fios againn cho cudromach ’s a tha na seirbheisean aiseig tarsainn an dà Chaolas agus tha sinn mothachail do dh’iarrtasan sna bliadhnaichean mu dheireadh airson barrachd sheòlaidhean. Tha sinn airson cluinntinn bho luchd-còmhnaidh agus gnothachasan a bhios a’ cleachdadh nan seirbheisean deatamach sin, iarrtas a chomharrachadh a thaobh meudachadh san àireamh de sheòlaidhean gu na cinn-uidhe eileanach sin. Bidh freagairt làidir na chuideachadh mòr nar n-oidhirpean air seirbheisean nas neartaichte fhaotainn.”

Thuirt Joanna Peteranna, manaidsear sgìreil sgioba Innse Gall aig HIE: “Bu mhath leinn gu mòr cluinntinn bho dhaoine agus gnothachasan sa choimhearsnachd le am beachdan air seòlaidhean aiseig a bharrachd tarsainn Caolas Bharraigh agus Caolas na Hearadh. Cuidichidh an t-suirbhidh seo sinne agus ar com-pàirtichean gu cùis a thogail às leth nan coimhearsnachdan ann an Innse Gall a thaobh solar aiseig nas motha fhaotainn, a leudaicheadh buannachdan sòisealta is eaconamch air feadh nan eilean.”