Calls made for ‘serial offenders’ who repeatedly cancel NorthLink bookings to ‘pay a premium’
Serial offenders who cancel NorthLink cabin bookings at short notice should be made to pay, a meeting heard.
Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask said the current system was “ludicrous”.
Mr Leask said passengers often booked cabins as a backup in case their flight was cancelled and this hindered other people’s ability to travel.
Discussing the NorthLink capacity constraints at last night’s Lerwick Community Council meeting he said “we have all been guilty of it”.
Mr Leask suggested NorthLink should adopt a similar system to Loganair and make people pay a “higher premium” if they cancel their bookings.”
I cant understand for the life me why NorthLink have never done that,” he said.
The SIC’s depute leader Gary Robinson said NorthLink did not want to impose cancelation fees as it would be unfair for people who have to cancel for “bona fide” reasons.
However, he suggested NorthLink could “get tougher” on “serial offenders”.
“Maybe it should be two or three strikes and you are out if you are playing that game,” he said.
“Because I do think it’s unfair.”
Chairman Jim Anderson suggested the council ask NorthLink to provide figures on how many cancellations were made at short notice it.
He said the current system meant people struggled to get a cabin or a car on the same crossing.
Community councillor Stewart Hay said he was against charges for cancellations.
“I wouldn’t want to see this leading to an airline style activity that would do us all worse,” he said.
James Thorburn
If this is happening and prevent normal passengers being unable to book a cabin ,then Northlink need to take action, what about putting a booking deposit on the cabins and if passenger cancels they loose the deposit and if they turn up and use cabin they get deposit returned. They could offer passengers the opportunity to book a discounted cabin using the deposit gained towards discounted cabin price.
Martin Lee
I wonder how many folk cancel at short notice because the weather looks bad.
Emma Williamson
Is the issue the unreliability of flights not the nortlink service 🤔
I think we are ignoring the elephant in the room here.
Steven Jarmson
The problem of getting a cabin or your car on the ferry isn’t the tiny numbers of people cancelling at short notice, it’s the boats aren’t fit for the job. It’s that simple.
I hate to complain, but why, from Aberdeen to Lerwick via Orkney can people getting off at Orkney have a cabin?
Why going from Lerwick to Aberdeen via Orkney, can people book a cabin.
Cabins should be protected for the full distance only.
That would free a bunch of cabins.
Maybe instead of stupid pods, put in cabins.
Serco already strip every penny they can out of this lifeline contract, don’t offer them even more money!!
And, FYI councillor Leask, WE DON’T ALL DO IT!! That’s on you.
I’ve never booked on the boat and cancelled, I know loads of folk who haven’t either!
Garry Leask
What about when you need to go south in the winter,so you book 3 days in a row to ensure you get away? Are you suggesting penalising people for forward planning.
I work on the 7 p’s principle
Prior, Planning and preparation prevents P### Poor Performance.