Serco ferry pledge

Jonathan Riley, bid director for Serco

Serco, the private sector operator competing for the west coast ferry network pledged to run a better, more efficient service if it wins the contract.

The firm - which runs Northlink Ferries in Shetland and Orkney - promises to “bring a lot of exciting changes and improvements.

This includes introducing a new booking systems while using more food and drink made in the Hebrides for sale onboard the ships is high on the agenda.

Serco points out that 86% of produce on Northlink Ferries it runs is sourced within 50 miles of the ports.

Many Western Isles councillors are known to be wary of Serco, fearing the private sector giant will cut costs, jobs and services.

The isles’ authority is seeking improved reliability of service and better timetables to fit the needs of communities.

Jonathan Riley, bid director for Serco, said the starting point of the contract is based on the current timetable and routes though the Scottish Government is seeking ideas for improvements

He said: “This is a government contract so the Scottish Government specifies what it wants from the contractor. We will have a contract to work to.”

Mr Riley said the contract over eight years is “set up to allow us to make changes by agreement so we will be looking quite closely at current demand figures and capacity, where there are routes where there are pressures so we can use our professional expertise to suggest where they could be room for improvement.”

The winning contractor has “no freedom” to hike fares unilaterally as ticket prices will be controlled by the contract.

Mr Riley explained: “The Scottish Government set the fares and we will work with them to look at the fare changes going forward.”

“We have no intention to reduce staffing or slash terms and conditions.

“If people look at Serco’s track record they will see we don’t do that.”

“We would inherit the current workforce with all their knowledge and expertise on their current terms and conditions.”

He added: “People can judge by the significant improvements we have done on Northlink Ferries where we got more people travelling, extra seats and extra catering.”

“We will be working more closely with the communities looking to support the economy, finding ways to benefit local businesses and showcasing local produce.”

Angus Campbell, leader of Western Isles Council, said Serco has promised to communicate and consult with ferry users in the Hebrides.

Mr Campbell added: “We put on the table, very clearly, the improvements we are looking for - more and more robust services, two ferries in certain areas and dedicated ships for each community.

“We also asked for assurances over terms and conditions for staff - for people who work in that service who live and pay into our community - we want to see that protected.”

Cal Mac Ferries Limited and Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited are competing for a eight year contract to run the ferry route network on the west coast.

The winner gets a £1 billion subsidy to operate services to 22 islands in the Western Isles, Inner Hebrides and Argyll and Clyde communities from October 2016.

Last month, ferry crews took industrial action over fears about job losses, cuts to income and pensions in the face of transferring state-owned routes to Serco.

The Scottish Government promised guarantees would be written into the contract.

The final tender should be submitted in January with the winner to be announced in May 2016.

Serco pledges to run ferries better than Cal Mac

21 August 2015