Passenger and vehicle numbers increase on Lough Swilly Ferry

There’s been an increase in the number of people using the Lough Swilly Ferry service connecting Rathmullan and Buncrana, with just over 26,000 foot passengers and over 6,000 vehicles using it this year.
Councillors are welcoming what’s been described as a very successful season, but are urging officials to ensure that promised dredging work is completed before the 2019 season begins next June.
Figures presented to Letterkenny Municipal District this week show the Lough Swilly Ferry Service carried 26,607 foot passengers, 5,818 cars and 269 camper vans and other larger vehicles this year.
The biggest increases were registered in July, reflecting the exceptiopnally sunny weather that month. Conversely, in August and September, the numbers fell, reflecting a mixture of adverse weather and low tides.
The council paid a subvention of €105,000 for the service in 2018, with the service running again from June to September in 2019, the final year of the contract.
Council officials will meet with the ferry company early next year to begin preparations for the new season, including joint marketing initiatives.
The council has also promised that all necessary dredging works will be complete by June next year.