Ferry options set out in independent review

Scottish Government has released the £156k ‘Neptune’ report they commissioned from consultants Ernst & Young on future options for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of the Comhairle’s Transport & Infrastructure Committee and Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, offers Am Pàipear readers his take on what the ‘Project Neptune’ report means for Uist.

So, while we continue to grapple with the continued challenge presented by our lifeline ferry services, the Government has finally published the review they commissioned into the structures that govern them, which those of us living on islands consider to be practically unaccountable to the people who rely on them. 

I am very pleased that we have now reached the point where the work of Ernst & Young – the international management consultancy and accountancy firm – is finally in the public domain.  Why Scottish Government chose to sit on this for seven months is a mystery to me as the report is hardly offering earth-shattering conclusions. Indeed, Ministers have already limited the potential for change by insisting that the large single bundle Clyde and Hebrides ferry service network will remain intact. This decision means the Norwegian system of ferry service procurement, where local authorities have a much greater say in the management and specification of contracts, has been removed from the table.  This even though Ernst & Young themselves have recognised that ferry services in Norway operate longer days, lock down ferry service jobs in their local area, have newer ferries and are moving rapidly towards zero carbon ferry services.  In short, the ferry services appear to deliver for the people who use the ferries.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar recognise the fondness people have for the Caledonian MacBrayne brand.  It is synonymous with the islands of the west.  However, we have previously suggested that a smaller Western Isles bundle could be established for our ferry service operations which could still operate under the Caledonian MacBrayne brand with marketing and ticketing delivered collectively and revenue apportioned to each bundle based on ticket sales. It works for Trainline so why not for ferries? Such a system would allow a new company to manage our ferry services from a Western Isles base with job opportunities maximised and resilience built in within our own network.  For Ministers to rule this out without seeking views from anyone with a real stake in the ferry services is disappointing.
Even where change is considered, the option that seems to be nudged by Government is a merger of Calmac Ferries Limited and CMAL.  This would place ferry operation and vessel ownership under the control of a single entity.  So instead of making services more accountable there is a real risk – hopefully not! – that we will see ever greater centralisation on a Gourock headquarters and a management that remains obstinately disinterested in the opinions and concerns of islands while they remain far removed from the sharp end in their central belt base. 

The consultants don’t appear to have considered other options of changing the Scottish Government owned tri partite of Transport Scotland (contracting body), CMAL (vessel and some port owner) and CalMac (ferry operator).  To my own mind there would be greater transparency if Transport Scotland and CMAL’s functions came under a single umbrella – let’s call it Ferries Scotland or Aiseagan Alba – to create a strong, powerful and distinct entity which would own the contract, supply the vessels and be responsible for ferry infrastructure. This body would be expected to hold their contractor – or contractors – to account.  It could be based here in the Western Isles, ensuring that those involved had ongoing lived experience of the ferry services they manage.  Surely this is a better way to manage CalMac than to merge them with CMAL?

The Minister for Transport has committed to a consultation on the Project Neptune report and has appointed my former colleague Angus Campbell to lead this.  It is a great shame that the Minister did not also require Ernst & Young to widely consult islanders and elected representatives in the preparation of their report to ensure what is published represents the reality of bad decision making by the tri partite that controls our ferry services today! I do look forward to working with Angus to ensure that the interests of the Western Isles are properly considered, and we move towards a point where ferry services are shaped by islanders, for islanders, with those charged with delivering and managing the services actually relying on those ferry services for everyday living themselves.  I hope this further consultation is a meaningful one, not just an excuse to kick ferry service issues into the long grass, as yet another Review is held.

Islanders already have the answers on what needs to happen to give us the ferry services we really need.  Change must happen but it must happen soon. We are living in a crisis and need decisive action not political expedience.  Nothing should be off the table in securing lifeline connectivity for our islands.

Things can only get better – surely!

Leis a h-uile deagh dhùrachd

Uisdean