This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Gourock-Dunoon ferry tender
20/03/2003
Steps were taken today to tender the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service separately from the rest of the Clyde and Hebrides services.
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald published consultation proposals for the tendering exercise, as well as a draft Invitation to Tender, which includes the service specification.
Together these proposals set out the Executive's plans to tender the routes separately which will allow more flexibility whilst still remaining within EU rules.
Potential operators will be able to bid on the basis of either a passenger-only service or a combined passenger and vehicle service.
The proposals restrict the subsidy available to the passenger service but still allow bidders to offer a combined passenger and vehicle service. The contract will go to the lowest cost bid that complies with the service specification.
Mr Macdonald said:
"The lifeline ferry services currently provided by CalMac in the Firth of Clyde are vital to the economic and social well being of the local communities, and this is why we are committed to maintaining these services within the constraints of the European rules that we have to follow.
"The draft service specification being published today responds to local communities' concerns about the Gourock to Dunoon service by taking forward our decision earlier this year to tender the route separately. I encourage all those with an interest to participate and let us have their views."
Over 400 comments were received (including standard responses) in response to the Executive's draft Invitation to Tender and Service Specification for the Clyde and Hebrides Lifeline Ferry Services published on June 27, 2002.
Lewis Macdonald met EC representatives in Brussels on November 2002 and was joined by representatives of Argyll & Bute and Inverclyde Councils. Following discussions with the Commission and Argyll & Bute and Inverclyde Councils, new proposals were announced on January 29.
Tendering the Gourock-Dunoon route separately will involve:-
allowing operators the freedom to bring their vessels
- maintaining the restrictions (frequency and length of operating day) that have applied to the Gourock-Dunoon service currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne
- determining the outcome on the basis of the lowest cost bid (in line with the rules for PSOs) regardless of whether this is for passenger only or combined service
- the passenger service and passenger fares will be prescribed through the PSO
The consultation will close on May 30.