Council seeking details of Serco’s new ferry service

Orkney Islands Council will be seeking clarification over the forthcoming change in provider for the lifeline ferry service.

On Friday, it was announced that Serco had been named as preferred bidders for the contract to run the services to Orkney and Shetland.

In a statement released late on Friday afternoon, OIC chief executive, Albert Tait, said: “There has been a long wait for this announcement – the uncertainty over who would be chosen as preferred bidder is now over. NorthLink Ferries have provided a safe and reliable service over the last six years and have set a high standard for the new operator to match. So I welcome statements from transport minister Keith Brown and Serco Ltd that the intention is to further improve the passenger experience on board our lifeline ferries.

“I also welcome the fact that the new contract will maintain the 90 minute service from Stromness to Scrabster and ensure there is no repetition of the problems that have arisen when the vessels are in dry dock. Throughout the consultation on the new Northern Isles Ferry Contract, the Council stressed the vital importance to our community of the 90-minute crossing of the Pentland Firth.

“We have made further inquiries with Transport Scotland and have been assured that the same vessels will continue to be used on the Pentland Firth and the Orkney, Aberdeen and Shetland routes. We have also been informed that the current fare structure will remain in place until the beginning of 2014 – with a review of the structure before that date.

“What’s missing at the moment is information about the timetable arrangements Serco intend to operate on the Pentland Firth and the Orkney, Aberdeen and Shetland routes. NorthLink provide a high level of local employment and it is vital that Serco maintain this.

“We will be seeking clarification of these matters as well as other detailed information about the service Serco will provide as a matter of urgency.”