THE introduction of a new ticketing system on the Largs to Cumbrae ferry route has been delayed until the spring - at the earliest.

The online system was set to go live last autumn before being pushed back to December - but will now not go live until at least April.

It is being developed by Italian company E-Dea, who currently run ticketing services for Grimaldi Lines and Scandlines, on behalf of CalMac.

The ferry operator says the pandemic has delayed staff training to operate the technology – which is set to take at least nine weeks.

A CalMac spokeswoman explained: “CalMac will be introducing an enhanced ticketing and reservations system later this year in order to offer customers an improved booking experience.

“This exciting project will revolutionise the way in which we interact with customers by offering more choice and flexibility and is one of the biggest projects CalMac is currently working on.

“Our staff will be given plenty of in-depth training on how the new system works so that we can launch this properly with a smooth transition from the old system for our passengers.

“This will require training of at least nine weeks in total and while we hoped to begin this soon, the recent rise in Covid infections has meant that the necessary face to face training cannot go ahead yet.

“We are working hard in the background preparing the system for launch, which will take place once the training has been completed and staff are confident and content with it.

“We will continue to review the situation in light of Covid cases and will keep customers and colleagues updated.”

Cumbrae community councillor Lisa Christie says the island’s Ferry Users Group has had successful discussions with CalMac over key elements of what is needed by the overhaul.

She explained: “One of the issues identified was that the system would only sell round trip tickets, and now we have ensured that passengers will be able to buy single tickets as well.

“Concessions can also be purchased online through the system, and tickets can be bought in person at the Cumbrae side, as well as the Largs one.

“The website for purchasing tickets will ask passengers to choose a sailing time but they will not be committed to going on that scheduled ferry.

“Unfortunately season passes have already been phased out, with the exception of monthly tickets, but I know efforts are ongoing to have this reversed.”