Serco NorthLink to abolish group discount

Serco NorthLink has confirmed it is to abolish the group discount scheme on its Northern Isles ferries.

Northern Isles MSPs Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur received written confirmation of the ferry company’s plan for transport minister Keith Brown.

Mr McArthur said: “The sponsorship opportunities offered by Serco Northlink are welcome, but the discounts available for sports and community groups have also been important in making travel to and from the islands more affordable.

“It is bad enough that the transport minister and his officials seemed blissfully unaware that these discounts were available from Northlink.  By agreeing to remove this support, however, Keith Brown has gone back on his word that the new contract would improve services for people in Orkney and Shetland.”