Gourock train timetable

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Scotrail Response – Gourock train times
Thank you for the email regarding ferry connections at Gourock for Dunoon. 
I agree that the current and ongoing ferry connections at Gourock are not ideal and are a legacy of
the Covid Timetable whereby the frequency Gourock services was reduced and the fast services
withdrawn. This is in part due to reduced passenger numbers, a change in commuter working
practices, a shortage of drivers and overall funding cuts to the railway. Therefore the train service is
now currently 2 x slow off peak services per hour calling at all stations with additional fast peak
services so some of the previous benefits have been lost. 
Ideally we would like to provide a 7 to 10 minute train/ship connection which used to happen with
the 4 trains per hour timetable but this is now also made more difficult by trying to incorporate
different times on the Glasgow to Paisley corridor which also serves Ayrshire services as well as
platforming at Glasgow Central. We also have to give a decent frequency and spread of services to
stations such as Bishopton and Port Glasgow. Therefore as the Dunoon ferry and train service are
both half hour frequency, the current 20 minute connection is seen as acceptable. ScotRail and
Calmac meet at regular intervals to discuss future timetables and these issues are brought up in
order to try to give the best connectivity. During the peaks, we do provide good connections into
fast trains in both the morning and evening peaks which is when the majority of time critical
passengers are travelling. At this time, connecting priority is given to the Rothesay ferry as they are
only served by 1 train per hour and a less frequent ferry service and that route is restricted by a
single track line. 
Looking to the future, ScotRail are actively looking at totally restructuring the Inverclyde lines which
would both give a better shipping connection and faster train service but this is currently awaiting
future funding acceptance.