Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) - Consultation Response: A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland - A major inquiry into current and future ferry provision in Scotland

A. Needs

Question 1

What do island residents, businesses, and other ferry users need in the short, medium and long term from Scottish Government-supported ferry services?

The ferry services to the islands are lifeline services, which should enable an islander to access mainland services in an equal way to those living on the mainland. There are 3 principles which have been set which underpin this statement.

Firstly the Strategic Objective 3 of the National Islands Plan is: 'to ensure that existing and future transport-related policies, strategies and services are fully island proofed so that they truly meet the needs of island communities.'

Secondly The National Transport Strategy (NTS) quotes that:

Transport plays a key role in enabling people to realise their human rights. It is an essential requirement in enabling people to realise other human rights such as the right to education, the right to work, the right to take part in cultural and public life, the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health."

Thirdly, in the NTS it states that:

We will ensure those living in rural, remote or island communities will be well connected and have as equitable access to services as those living in the rest of the country, therefore making a positive contribution to maintaining and growing the populations in these areas."

Short term needs

An affordable, reliable service that runs when it says it should, that can be used for a next day emergency such as a medical emergency or a spur of the moment social trip. Availability or preferential spaces for vehicles for residents to have the freedom to travel when they wish without having to plan days in advance. Daily deliveries that arrive on their due day eg fresh food, post and newspapers. A boat that is resilient to average weather and is mechanically reliable.

Medium term needs

Residents and visitors need to have confidence that when they book a crossing that it will run. This affects families booking visits for special occasions, booking holidays which involve flights or medical appointments. I have examples of families who have booked a crossing for a loved one's funeral, only for the boat to be cancelled with very little notice.

Long term needs

It is hoped that the Island Connectivity Plan will address the long term future of ferry services. Aspects which need to be covered are the suitability of the ports at either end of the journey, ports of refuge in bad weather, resilience of the vessels, availability of appropriate crew, accessibility of the vessels, contingency plans if a vessel is off-service due to a breakdown, and long term renewal programme for ageing vessels.

Consideration should be given to overnight or additional freight runs to cope with seasonal peaks.

Question 2

Are current services meeting the needs and sustainability of island and remote rural communities and businesses? This includes the provision of secure employment for those working for ferry services.

No. The lack of reliability of a ferry service is impacting on residents personal life. They are unable to make definite plans to travel to the mainland, they are having to leave at least a day earlier to ensure making an appointment and this results in additional expense of overnight accommodation. This directly affects people's choice of living on an island or remaining as a resident.

This then impacts on the tourist trade, fewer people will visit for a day as they hear horror stories of being stuck on an island, locals are having to offer people a bed for the night and families are unable to keep in touch as much as they wish. Further this means that people are reluctant to move to the islands and this impacts on house prices, the availability of staff, especially in the hospitality industry.

Businesses are having to plan ahead to secure the delivery of their raw materials, this has an impact on cash flow and on the progress of work. This is particularly evident in the construction industry. Businesses who don't need to be based on the island either don't locate to the island or are considering relocating to the mainland. Many of the employees on the ferries are subjected to abuse from passengers whose journey is cancelled, this can impact on recruitment of non-technical staff and staff at the ferry terminal.

Question 3

Are current services meeting the needs of mainland communities and businesses, including visitors?

Covid restrictions had a significant impact on the number of people allowed on a sailing so many people didn't visit the islands during the pandemic. This not only impacted on social visits but visits from specialists who are based on the mainland. This applied to everything from an estate agent to a project manager, a marine scientist and the visiting midwife.

Recovery from this has been slow and some services have not returned either because the market on the island has declined or the specialist has found alternative sources of employment and is not now servicing the island.

The current service is unreliable so visitors from the mainland are reluctant to visit, especially on a day trip basis. Holiday makers who have visited every year for decades have been put off by the late cancellation of a ferry especially on a Friday/Saturday and Sunday. This is caused by old vessels breaking down, the captain not prepared to sail in weather that was previously acceptable, damage at mainland terminals, and staff shortages.

Question 4

Are service needs different at different times of the year?

Yes.

Residents are acutely aware of the fragility of the service in winter so are unlikely to travel to the mainland for a non-essential visit. Visitors choose not to holiday on the island during the winter, and despite the island community putting on special events such as Christmas shopping days, many people will not travel in winter. Accommodation and tourist venues, even cafes frequently close during the winter due to lack of customers.

Question 5

Which needs are better met by other modes of transport, e.g. air, where available?

Islands which have an airlink frequently have a seasonal timetable to reflect the demand for bookings and the inclement weather on many islands. Air travel can be more costly than by ferry with affordability becoming another barrier. Essential deliveries by air are an alternative to ferry deliveries but again the weather can impact on this.

Experiments with drone deliveries of essentials such as prescriptions have been undertaken, but no regular use is in place. Fortunately the air ambulance and coast guard helicopters are more robust and can reach the islands in an emergency when a ferry isn't available or isn't sailing. Without this service critical medical conditions may not be attended to.

Lack of ferry reliability has forced individuals to use on-line services. This includes business people who work remotely, students who log onto college and university courses, medical staff who video conference either between themselves or directly with a patient. On-line shopping affects the local retail community.

Question 6

How should the Scottish Government support council-run ferry services?

MACS is part of the consultation group in the development of the Island Connectivity Plan which will replace the current Ferries Plan.

We will be taking the approach of the 3 As. Available, Accessible and Affordable. This means we will be sharing our views on the design of the vessels and the assistance available to disabled passengers. We will be looking at fares, which are affordable including concessions for disabled people and blue badge holders and a service that is reliable for both the island community and the mainland services.

We would expect levels of service, reliability clauses and appropriate vessels to be part of any forthcoming contracts to ensure a relaible and appropriate service to the islands.

Question 7

How can ferry users and island communities be involved in decision making at strategic and operational level?

MACS fortunately engages with the Transport Scotland officers on the Island Connectivity Plan, the NTS2, the Island Plan and the Accessible Travel Framework.

However, it is vital that residents both disabled and non disabled have the opportunity to be involved in decision making. Engagement needs to be meaningful, multi format and as early as possible in the process.

B. Institutions and funding

Question 1

What institutional and funding arrangements would most likely deliver service patterns, vessels, and crewing arrangements that meet the needs of current and potential future ferry users?

In our recent response to the national consultation on the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), we emphasised the need for a joined-up approach to funding and investment for ferry services, including port facilities and onward land links. 

Question 2

Can the current tri-partite arrangement (Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), Ferry Operator) for managing most ferry service provision be improved?

At present when an issue arises each of the 3 parties blames the other for a service disruption. In future clear responsibilities to the customer and each other should be part of the contract, with contract penalties for disruption.

Question 3

Can current tendering arrangements be improved, e.g. through service unbundling?

The bundling of routes, especially the Clyde and Hebridean bundle is too complicated and should be tendered for on a route by route basis, with a clause which brings adequate reserve vessels to the route if required.

Question 4

Can Scottish Government subsidies be better deployed to meet the needs of current and future ferry users?

No response.

Question 5

Are current services providing best value for the taxpayer?

No, the delay in new builds, the poor management of the contracts for the new build and the lack of penalties for poor service are not value for money.

C. Vessels and crews

Question 1

What size and types of vessels are required?

The provision of a more flexible fleet of vessels will allow more options for travellers and should cope better with service disruption. All vessels should be fully accessible from departure terminal to arrival terminal.

Question 2

What type of sustainable propulsion systems (including energy-use and moves to low carbon systems) would meet the needs of ferry services?

Scottish Government is committed to reducing its carbon foot print so ferry services should make their contribution.

Question 3

How can we ensure ferries are compatible with harbour facilities?

No contract should be entered into unless all facilities are compatible, fully functioning (eg tidal silt removed), suitable for all weathers and have the option of a suitable port of refuge in an emergency.

Question 4

What type of onboard crew accommodation is required?

All crew should be trained in how to assist disabled travellers (disability awareness training).

Question 5

Current procurement criteria and processes: what are their strengths and weaknesses? Are they “future proofed” to accommodate new technologies and the need for sustainable low-carbon travel?

Procurement should be undertaken by skilled, experienced professionals, not by the team delivering the service, who frequently don't have the procurement expertise.