The Highland Council is to make a robust response to the Scottish Government's Review of Scottish Ferry Services, highlighting the huge importance to rural and island communities of lifeline ferry services.
Councillors said ferries are as important to the Highlands as the Forth Road Bridge is to Edinburgh and the East of Scotland and is the economic bedrock of many communities.
In its response, the Council has underscored the following key issues:
There should be no diminution of ferry services arising from the Review.
The socio - economics of any ferry service catchment should not be adversely affected by the outcomes of the Review. Jobs and businesses within the ferry catchment should not be affected by any proposals.
Ferry services should be improved to bolster the sustainability of rural communities served by the ferries.
Ferry services should be improved with innovative ideas, better marketing and improved efficiency to assist local communities with new jobs and local business.
Ferries should work towards reducing their carbon footprint.
The concessionary fares system should extend from the bus network to cover the ferry network.
Disabled persons and their companions should be permitted free travel on the ferry network with this being administered by Scottish Government.
Timetables should be adjusted to accommodate commuter travel wherever possible.
Vessels and terminals should be designed to accommodate day return trip to access services and to avoid overnight stays. This will assist sustainable living in remote communities.
Where economies or improvements to the ferry services are possible the Council is happy to talk to Scottish Government about the transfer of some ferry responsibilities to Caledonian MacBrayne.
The introduction of a Mallaig to Lochboisdale service should be considered as a means of improving the sustainability of the Southern Isles. This will also assist the sustainability of Mallaig as a ferry hub and the Council are happy to work with Scottish Government to achieve this objective.
There needs to be improved marketing for all ferry services to maximise income and make sure that the ferry is more than a basic trip. This will encourage tourism and jobs and there is potential for targeting this marketing to provide a focus for particular ferry services that will benefit from increased custom. The Small Isles, Tobermory, and Raasay would all benefit from such an initiative.