Views wanted on inter-island transport
Residents will get a chance to shape inter-island transport policy via a survey that will feed into a national programme aimed at comparing services across Scotland.
The confidential survey will run by Shetland Islands Council for five weeks from Monday 18th May and feed into discussions with Transport Scotland about the future of the Scottish islands’ ferry and air links and the need for parity and fairness across the country.
The survey, requested by Transport Scotland, is targeted at all adult island residents, and seeks general information on their transport needs. Similar projects have already been run on other public transport services around the country.
Michael Stout , who is chairman of the SIC environment and transport committee and ZetTrans said: “I can understand that folk in the isles may feel some ‘consultation fatigue’ after the recent work done on the ferry review, but I must underline that this is a completely separate process.
“The information which comes out of this piece of work will contribute to our ongoing discussions with the government on future support for inter-island services, so it’s vitally important that we get good data on how folk use their ferries and flights and how these support the islands.”
The survey, for island residents aged 16 and over, will run from 18th May – 21st June; paper copies are also available on ferries, at Tingwall Airport, and by phoning 01595 744868.
Kathryn Duffus
“Consultation fatigue” doesn’t quite cover it. We are heartily sick and tired of constantly being asked for our views and then having them completely ignored.
Michael Garriock
No problem with the concept per se of seeking the views of those folk who rely on these services, its good to see the SIC at least try to communicate with and involve end users for once. However why exclude Shetland Mainland residents from contributing, aren’t there folk on the Mainland who use these services to commute/travel to/from work/business and social/pleasure reasons. Isn’t their opinion and input as valuable as those travelling in the opposite direction for the same reasons?
Also, why is this survey solely focusing on what kind of service provision is made, and not also on how and by whom that service is delivered. Eight and a half years ago the Foula service was put out to private tender, which by all accounts I’m aware of, has resulted in the successful provision of the service ever since at very greatly reduced cost to the SIC. With such an apparently “successful” model/”trial” in place, why, especially in these times of expenditure cuts, is this model not being one of the first things being considered for implementtion across the board?
John Tulloch
The ferries need to be replaced with fixed road links i.e. tunnels.
For heaven’s sake, just get on with it!