SCOTLAND'S transport minister is to step in and sort out a troubled Inverclyde ferry service.
Humza Yousaf has been keeping tabs on the under-fire Gourock-Kilcreggan route which has been marred by a series of cancellations and catalogue of problems with the only vessel in operation, the Island Princess.
The service is operated by Clydelink on behalf of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which only renewed the contract with the company in April at a cost of £320,000.
The Tele revealed last week how SPT is 'taking action' against the ferry firm following a wave of issues in recent weeks, including the boat being off for 10 days in the space of three weeks.
There was also disruption for seven days during June.
Now Mr Yousaf is wading in on the matter.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "We are aware of several recent periods of significant disruption to the Gourock-Kilcreggan ferry service, and understand the frustrations of the passengers that rely on this link.
"Clearly this situation is not acceptable and the minister will be writing to SPT to address these issues and their impact on future service levels.
"Transport Scotland and SPT are working together towards a mutual agreement on the formal terms of a transfer of responsibility.
"This is a complex process given the amount of information being considered, which includes service levels, finances and infrastructure."
Gourock councillor Chris McEleny, who chaired the Clyde Ferry Users' Group for the last five years, is pushing for the service to be taken over by the Scottish Government agency.
Mr McEleny said: "I will contact the transport minister to ask what he can do to assist the transfer of the route to Transport Scotland.
"Transport Scotland have experience of running ferries, the Gourock-Kilcreggan route can only benefit from this resilience.
"Ultimately people rely on this route daily and the service they are getting is not good enough, if even existent.
"It's time for action."