Go online to give your views on ferry services

Orkney Islands Council is encouraging people to complete an online survey as part of a consultation on the next Northern Isles ferry services contract.

Transport Scotland is carrying out an appraisal of different options for the 2018 contract, which will detail the nature of ferry services between Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish mainland. These are currently provided by Serco Northlink Ferries.

As part of the initial data gathering stage, two public consultation events were held last week.

In addition, surveys aimed at residents and businesses are now available online.

Residents should complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/northlink2018survey-residents

Businesses should complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/northlink2018survey-businesses

The aim is to gauge people’s use of the current service – and seek their views on how services could be improved to better meet the needs of the Orkney and Shetland.

If you do not have access to the internet at home, the survey can be completed via public access computers available in all public libraries.

The study is being informed and guided by a working group which includes Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council, HITRANS, ZetTrans and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Transport Scotland has commissioned Peter Brett Associates to carry out this piece of work.