Preliminary Question:  We know that different communities across Scotland often view their ferry services very differently, sometimes for reasons which are specific to the local area.  If you would like to enter your postcode in the box below, that will help us to make the best use of the information you provide to us in this questionnaire.

Consultation Question  1: Do you agree that a change is required, to improve consistency in provision and secure funding for the future?

Yes  R                 No

Consultation Question  2: Do you think that harbours should be self funded through harbour dues or do you think the current system of funding improvements through grants should continue?

self-funded                    funded through grants  R

Consultation Question  3: How much of the funding should come from the users of the service?

Consultation Question  4: Do you agree that we should test the market by tendering some routes on a single basis with the option for the operator to bring their own vessel(s)?

Yes                     No  R

Consultation Question  5: Do you agree that the following routes are the correct routes to consider tendering as single routes?

Ardrossan - Brodick                  Yes                     No  R

Wemyss Bay - Rothesay          Yes                      No  R

Oban - Craignure                      Yes                      No  R

Largs - Cumbrae                       Yes                      No  R

Pentland Firth                            Yes                      No  R

Consultation Question  6: Should we allow single routes to be tendered as a bundle or should we stagger the tenders?

allow a bundle  R                  stagger the tenders

Consultation Question  7: Should the remaining routes stay within 2 bundles?

Yes                     No  R

Consultation Question  8: Should we consider the implications of a looser tender, where a minimum level of service is required but where the operator has flexibility to innovate and reduce costs where they see fit?

Yes                     No  R

Consultation Question  9: Should we specify climate change objectives within the tender and require the operator to specify how he intends to meet them?  Do operators agree and have views on how emission reductions should be defined?  How would they measure and monitor performance, and demonstrate delivery?

Consultation Question  10: What else do you think should be specified in a tender document? E.g. accessibility requirements, integration requirements etc.

Consultation Question  11: What should be the rationale for, and purpose of, the fares policy?

PLEASE TICK ONE BOX ONLY

(a) Fairness of fares across Scotland

 (b) Community sustainability

 (c) Supporting economic development

 (d) Supporting tourism

 (e) Supporting the particular need of the particular community R

 (f) Reduce the cost to government

 (g) To manage demand on ferries i.e. a policy that encourages people to travel at different times

 (h) To support “low carbon” travel

 (i) Other

Consultation Question  12: To what extent should fares differentiate between islanders/residents of peninsular communities and other ferry users?

one fares policy                     different fares policies  R

Consultation Question  14: Do you agree that there should be a consistent and fair way of deciding what ferry services should be funded?

Yes  R                  No

Consultation Question  15: Do you agree that the ferry service should be designed to meet the most important needs of the community?

Yes  R                   No

 Consultation Question  17: Do you agree that investment should be prioritised to those areas that have the most potential to contribute to Scotland's growth?

Yes  R                  No

 Consultation Question  18: Do you think that the responsibility for ferries provision should be more consistent across Scotland?

Yes  R                   No

  Consultation Question  19: Do you agree that it would be wrong for all ferry services to be the responsibility of the Scottish Government?

Yes                     No  R

 Consultation Question  20: Do you agree that the Scottish Government should become responsible for all ferry services providing necessary transport links for island communities to access the mainland and Local Authorities or Regional Transport Partnerships should be responsible for the provision of all others?.

Yes                     No  R

 Consultation Question 21: Question 20 assumes that where an island is attached to the mainland via a bridge, it is treated as the mainland. Do you agree this is the correct way forward?

Yes                     No  R

 Consultation Question  22: Do you agree that the provision of ferry services would be better placed within the remit of Local Government?

Yes                     No  þ

 Consultation Question  23: Do you agree that Regional Transport Partnerships could play a key role in the procurement of ferry services?

Yes                     No  R

 Consultation Question  24:How should the responsibility be split between Local Authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships?

 Consultation Question  25: Do you agree that the provision of ferry services should continue to be split between central and local government?

Yes                     No  R

 Consultation Question  26: If a continuation of a mixed responsibility role is preferable going forward (i.e. responsibility continues to be split between Central and Local Government), how should  the split be determined?

 Consultation Question  27: Should there be a central provision of  procurement expertise? For example, Local Authorities/RTPS could determine what services/vessels they wanted to provide and specify those services/vessels, with a central procurement team purchasing them on their behalf.

Yes  R                   No

 Consultation Question  28:

(a) Do you think that recommendations A – G (see below) should be implemented now?

Yes                     No  R

 (b) When tendering do you think these recommendations should be included in any future tender requirements?

Yes  R                   No

 (c) Are there any of these recommendations that you consider to be of particular importance?

 A. The design of new ferries and harbour/ shore infrastructure should take full account of the DPTAC guidance, for example the provision of handrails, ramps and assistance telephones. Consideration where possible should also be given to their use in smaller ferries and ports.

B. The need for regular, recognised disability awareness training is viewed as a relatively cheap and quick solution in helping to reduce many of the barriers faced Good customer care and assistance by staff is often viewed as the key factor when deciding if ferry travel is possible, practicable or comfortable.

C. Port and ship operators need to plan their communication and information dissemination to take full recognition of PRMs. Audio, visual or other disabilities need to be considered, especially when considering passenger safety.

D. Accessibility information should be readily accessible to PRMs in order to aid journey planning. Where possible websites should be improved to take recognition of the needs of PRMs and make it easier to access this information.

E. Disabled Persons Assistance policies should be developed by all ferry and port operators as a matter of best practice.

F. A policy for those passengers which may require additional assistance which fall outside the general categorisation of PRM, for example people travelling with small children, or heavy / awkward luggage or baggage should be encouraged.

G. Provision where appropriate of some form of left luggage facility which would aid those passengers that are waiting onward travel connections.                    

 (d) Are there other issues that should be addressed?

 Consultation Question  29:

(a) Do you think that an Accessibility Improvement Fund should be set up?

Yes                     No  R

  (b)How would this be funded?

 (c) Who would administer this fund?

 Consultation Question  30:

(a) Do you think that an information system indicating the degree of accessibility would be useful?

Yes  R                   No

 (b) Are there any particular aspects you would like to see considered?

 Consultation Question  31: How could the reduction of CO₂ emissions from ferries be delivered to assist in meeting the potential emissions reductions set out in the Climate Change Delivery Plan?

 Consultation Question  32: Operators would be likely to appreciate the fuel-efficiency benefits of such a measure.  Would operators be willing to implement such a measure on a voluntary basis?  If not, can they provide suggestions for alternate methods of delivering emissions  reductions?

 Consultation Question  33: Would passengers support longer journey times as part of a CO₂ emissions reduction programme?  If not, can they provide suggestions for alternate methods of delivering CO₂ reductions from ferries?

Yes                     No  R