|
|
Ferry cuts journey times to save
fuel 01.07.08
THE Lough Foyle Ferry
Company has cut the speed and frequency of its
sailings to and from Greencastle as fuel prices
soar.
Ferry director Jim McClenaghan yesterday confirmed
the company had cut back on its continuous
journeying over and back the Foyle in favour of a
fixed timetable. |
"Normally in the high
season, we would go continuously from Greencastle to
Magilligan throughout the day but we're now working
to a schedule to ease up on fuel consumption," said
Mr. McClenaghan.
"We now sail on the hour from Greencastle and at
quarter-past the hour from Magilligan unless the
traffic is heavy. |
 |
If it's a very busy
day, we'll go over and back as normal." This is the
first time in the company's six-year history that it
has changed its summer sailings on the Foyle. The
seasonal Buncrana to Rathmullan service remains
unchanged because it always operated to a fixed
schedule.
Meanwhile, the ferry director confirmed that it has
also cut sailing speeds by about 2 knots - adding
around two to three minutes to the journey time.
The timetable changes and speed reduction has
resulted in savings of around €400 a day on the
Foyle route.
"The fuel bill for the Greencastle service would be
around €1,400 a day but we've got that down to
around €1,000 a day now," said Mr. McClenaghan.
Since the ferry began operating, fuel prices have
jumped a staggering 420%, he added. |
|
