3 Transport Scotland Ferry Response Letter PDF 140 KB
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
The
Group considered a letter from the Head of Ferries Policy and Contract
Management at Transport Scotland regarding the current ferry provision in Dunoon
and a written update detailed below:
Local
Engagement
Transport Scotland is committed to ensuring that
the views of the residents of the Cowal Peninsula are listened to, which is why
we attend the Clyde Ferry Stakeholder Group, organised by HITRANS.
During the most recent meeting of Wednesday 12
December, which was attended by various local stakeholders, elected officials,
Argyll Ferries Ltd, Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd, a range of issues were
discussed, including performance of the Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Service.
Transport Scotland receives regular feedback on
the views of the local community during our monthly contract review meetings
with Argyll Ferries and looks to address these where practicable.
Future
of the Gourock to Dunoon
Ferry Service
Following the announcement in the Scottish
Parliament on 12 December 2018, the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service will transfer to CalMac
when the current contract ends in January 2019, becoming part of the Clyde and
Hebrides Ferry Services network.
From the 21 January 2019, CalMac
will provide a passenger-only service, in line with the current timetable
arrangements, and consideration will be given to improved harbour facilities
for passengers.
Discussions will also be held with key
stakeholders on the introduction of electric vehicle hubs at both ferry terminals,
as well as developing the ferry service to encourage active travel users.
We carefully considered all of the available
options in the context of value for money, as recommended in the recent Audit
Scotland report. We concluded that cancelling the tender and transferring
responsibility for a passenger-only ferry service to CalMac
was the most appropriate course of action. This will ensure that the
communities continue to benefit from a range of travel options, including a
more reliable, efficient and sustainable passenger ferry service into the
future.
Further consideration will now be given to
vessel and service requirements going forward, in consultation with local
stakeholders and trade unions, with a view to ensuring that the ferry service
fully meets the needs of the community and passengers.
Gourock
to Kilcreggan service
Scottish Ministers welcomed SPT’s recent award
of a contract to operate the Gourock to Kilcreggan ferry service to a new operator. We are aware
that this has seen a significant improvement in the service and that more
people are now using the service. Once we are satisfied that that the new
contract represents the true cost of providing a reliable service, Scottish
Ministers will be in a position to consider a transfer of responsibility
further.
Outcome
Simon Richmond agreed to investigate concerns raised regarding the lack of a bus replacement on occasions when the ferry service was cancelled.
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