Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has identified three key areas of potential change in the Northern Isles ferry service as the company prepares its bid for the operating contract from April 2006. The key areas are livestock handling and management, overnight passenger accommodation management and timetabling issues.

Speaking at the end of a three day series of consultation meetings with local authorities and other groups, as well as key business sectors such as hauliers in Orkney and Shetland, CalMac Chairman Dr Harold Mills said “clearly there is a high level of satisfaction with the current NorthLink services and the performance of the current management team and ship’s crews.  We are grateful to local hauliers and others for identifying key areas where the services may need adjustment and we will now take their views away for further consideration.  It is my intention to return within the next few weeks to present some proposed integrated solutions to address the issues which have been raised with us”. 

Dr Mills was accompanied on the tour of the NorthLink operation by senior CalMac officials including Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair and Operations Director Phil Preston.  More than twenty meetings were held and the company will now be revisiting the islands regularly in the coming weeks to progress its plans prior to submitting a bid for the contract by November 1.

Phil Preston, Operations Director, said “one key area which requires examination is the management and allocation of overnight passenger accommodation.  We have identified possible changes and enhancements which could resolve some of the issues and we will investigate the technical and financial viability over the next few days”.

Lawrie Sinclair, Managing Director, added “nothing we have discovered this week in terms of feedback is insurmountable.  CalMac carries 5,000,000 passengers and 1,000,000 cars in our current operation and we have great experience of handling livestock and a sophisticated mix of passenger requirements.  There are, however, important issues relating to the means of carrying livestock which are compliant with the regulations and best meet the needs of the industry.  We have proposals which we will wish to discuss further with all concerned.  In addition there are livestock management issues which we are also addressing and timetabling issues which we believe can be resolved.  We intend to build on the success and experience of NorthLink and we believe that we are best placed to offer a successful bid.  I am grateful to everyone for the support we have received so far”.

ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne.   Tel: 0776 435 4021/07725350169; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

Issued:  Friday 26 August, 2005  :  13:55