New ferry contract must reflect Orkney’s needs — McArthur

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has questioned the transport minister, Keith Brown, on progress on a new contract for the lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles.

Having been assured that an announcement on the approved bidder would be made in April, Mr McArthur pressed the minister to guarantee that the new contract would properly reflect the needs of those living and working in Orkney.

Speaking after the exchange in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Mr McArthur said: “When I asked the minister for assurances that the quality, reliability and affordability of passenger and freight services across the Northern Isles network will be safeguarded, I was told that the service would ‘mirror all the best aspects of the current contracts’.  What this might mean in practice is unclear.

“What is clear is that once an announcement is made about the preferred bidder, there will be little or no scope to amend the terms of the contract.  I am disappointed, therefore, that the minister was unwilling to allow Orkney Islands Council or the Regional Transport Partnership a chance to review the final contract specifications before Mr Brown signs on the dotted line.

“As a result, the next few weeks will involve an anxious wait for people in Orkney and Shetland”.