Ferries
The Western and Northern Isles depend critically on ferry services. Ferry development faces major issues of how to improve island accessibility and increase service frequency, while containing costs. A further issue is the role of competition and subsidy.
On most routes, ferries need subsidy due to the low population and traffic levels, particularly in winter months. Specification of service levels and vessel quality on all routes should be determined by the government and councils in consultation with local communities, implemented through franchising agreements.
SAPT advocates co-
Adoption of road equivalent tariffs on all routes is welcomed by SAPT, as long as rates and service quality for passengers encourage greater use of public transport for overall journeys. Tariff incentives and improved connections to tempt users to travel by public transport rather than car will help the environment and also clearly reduce the cost of providing ferry services.
Few Scottish ferry routes can support competition. The CalMac Gourock-
Competition or Franchising?
CalMac Gourock-
Some routes have only three ferry sailings per week in winter. On some islands,accessibility could be vastly improved by replacing long routes by shorter crossings allowing a more frequent service to be operated. And RET fares would be lower.
For instance, Lochboisdale -
Coll-
SAPT advocate a full route review before the next franchise is agreed.
Route Review