Committee calls for
strategy to develop a modern, efficient and responsive ferry network
A long term
strategy to deliver a modern, efficient and responsive ferry
network must be drawn up by the Scottish Government, according to
a report published today by the Scottish Parliament's
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee. The
recommendations contained in the 'Ferry Services in
Scotland' report also identify a series of short term
improvements to ferry services which should be taken forward immediately.
Committee Convener Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Ferry users across Scotland and their views have been at
the heart of this inquiry into how essential ferry services could
be improved. We have also heard about the constraints faced by
ferry operators in providing services.
"We are calling for a national ferries strategy which will
deliver a network of routes that fully meets the needs and
aspirations of the communities that rely on them and promotes the
long-term sustainability of these communities. We believe the
Scottish Government's forthcoming ferries review presents a
genuine opportunity to deliver this strategy and to secure the
long-term future of a ferry network which is fit for purpose in
the 21st century."
The Committee made a number of short-term recommendations to be
taken forward by the Scottish Government immediately:
* adjusting timetables and frequency of sailings to better meet
the needs of ferry users
* improving communication and
co-ordination between ferry, train and bus operators
*
promoting more effective consultation of ferry users by
operators
* improving accessibility of ferries and landing
areas for disabled people
* improving ferry operators'
standards of customer service
The Committee also made a number of recommendations in order to
shape the Government's ferries review, which will begin
shortly including:
* examining innovative proposals such as faster and more fuel
efficient vessels, significantly improved timetables, new routes,
and the use of fixed links
* replacing and upgrading of ferry
vessels and ports infrastructure
* making it easier for ferry
operators to make changes to services within their contracts, if
they are designed to promote improved services and facilitate
innovation
* transferring of responsibility for the strategic
direction of ferry services to Transport Scotland.
*
conducting a full public consultation as part of the review, and
taking the review forward as a matter of urgency.
The Committee's report also acknowledges the importance of
the current European Commission investigation into complaints
about subsidies paid by the Scottish Government to CalMac and NorthLink.
Convener Patrick Harvie MSP added:
"The Committee recognises that there is an ongoing EC
investigation and we await the outcome with interest. This
exercise should provide clarity with regard to the legal position
on this issue and will help inform the mechanisms by which ferry
services will be delivered in the future. However, we are of the
view that none of our recommendations are dependent on the outcome
of the investigation and that they can and should be taken forward now."
Background
The committee inquiry has been one of the most
extensive conducted by a Scottish Parliament Committee with a
major programme of evidence gathering. It has included an online
survey, video conferences, informal fact finding visits to meet
ferry operators and users and public committee meetings right
across the Scottish mainland and islands.
The Scottish Government will provide a response to the
Committee's report and it is anticipated that it will be the
subject of a full Parliamentary debate in September.
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