Perhaps they only read the Herald’s Second-class Ferry Correspondent (Scotland only) but the CalMAc Ferries Community Board apparently “unanimously” do not support a direct award of the next contract.
So they want to open up the bid to for-profit operators like Washington State Ferries in the USA, BC Ferries in Canada, Condor in the Channel Islands, Red Funnel in the Isle of Wight or KiwiRail in New Zealand?
Regulars here will know that all operate less reliable, older vessels, at far greater cost to the passenger.
For confirmation of this and to get a sharp cold water shock, read these:
CalMac
WSF
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/use-passenger-boats-to-ease-wa-ferry-crisis/
https://mynorthwest.com/3943505/wsf-ferry-passenger-ridership-might-never-reach-2019-levels/
BC Ferries
https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/10/23/Crisis-BC-Ferries/
KiwiRail
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/502312/timeline-the-troubled-cook-strait-ferries
Red Funnel
Condor
Footnote: 1, 2 and 3 January, CalMac does around 200 sailings, 100% on time: https://www.calmac.co.uk/calmac-performance-data-browser?date=02%2F01%2F2024
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
IF THESE ISLANDERS WANT TO OPENUP BIDDING IN THE HOPE OF GETTING CHEAPER BETTER TRAVEL BY ALL MEANS PEOCEED
HOWEVER IF YOUR VENTURES INTO BIDDING WARS
TURNOUT TO ADD ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE TENDER
THE ISLANDERS MUST PAY THE DIFFERENCE.
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Just a bunch of Tory supporting free-market zealots. Surprised the4y exist on the islands, but maybe Savvern-retirees or just a few unrepresentative ejects throwing their weight around?
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Just purchased a ticket on the Oban to Mull (Craignure) ferry from CalMac for a journey in March – one way, one car plus two passengers. Total price £22.50. Scheduled journey time is c. 50 minutes.
Out of interest, I priced a trip on the privately-owned Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney – same date, same time, same car and passengers. The sailing time is a bit longer at 70 minutes. Price quoted online was £65.00.
I understand there is an Orkney Resident Discount Scheme which would presumably reduce this price – not that it would benefit the vast majority of folk in Scotland who might wish to travel to Orkney and contribute to its tourism economy! Pentland Ferries funds the discount scheme. The company explains: ‘The Resident Discount Scheme will reduce a single passenger journey from £20 to £12 and a car journey from £45 to £40, and has been made possible thanks to the extension of the charter of the firm’s second vessel, MV Alfred, to Caledonian MacBrayne. It brings Pentland Ferries’ fares in line with the PUBLICLY-FUNDED ISLANDER DISCOUNT provided by Northlink Ferries.’ (My emphasis)
Source: https://pentlandferries.co.uk/pentland-ferries-to-fund-orkney-resident-discount-scheme/
One comparison does not a full cost-benefit analysis and options appraisal make but …..
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Who are the board nembers that decided this.
What is the scope of their authority .
Is their terms of office freely publicly available as it should be because its not just islanders that use ferries to the islands it is certain that non residents make most of the journeys.
Who are these board members where do they live
If they live on the island how many weeks a year do they live on the island and where else do they live the rest of the time
What is their occupation
Do they have a financial interest in related businesses
Who did they consult when making their decision and can we see evidence of the consultation
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Fat cats!!! They think they own Scotland and not the Sovereign Scottish People.
This would have to be put out for public consultation…maybe even a vote.
Don’t see this happening although vote for Starmer/Sarwar and it is inevitable,
they probably have been lobbied by a private investor already.
Vote Labour Sell Scotland, Vote SNP Save Our Nation!!!
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