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United Kingdom : TENDERING process for ARRAN ferry service started amid concerns of privatization

Publish Date : 05-Mar-2015

In spite of Labour concerns that it could usher in privatization, the tendering process for the Arran ferry has started. The next contract to operate the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) valued at Ł1billion will run from October 1, 2016 for a period of up to 8 years. A shortlist of bidders will have to file tenders in June, and the winning bidder would be announced in May 2016.

The two main competitors for the contract are expected to be current operator CalMac and the public services outsourcing major Serco who won the Northlink service to the Northern Isles from the Scottish Government in 2012. Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran Katy Clark have raised concerns that the the Clyde and Hebrides services' re-tendering raises the possibility of them being run in the private industry.

Clark stated : "The Scottish Government’s decision to re-tender CHFS raises the very real possibility of services to and from Arran and Cumbrae being privatised next year. The STUC and CalMac trade unions have convincingly highlighted that there is no need for the Scottish Government to press ahead with this expensive and disruptive process but sadly Scottish Ministers have refused to listen. The Scottish Government’s track record on protecting our ferry services does not inspire confidence. Should privatisation go ahead I am concerned we will see above inflation fare increases and less reliable services, as has been the case on the Northern Isle routes since they were privatised in 2012."

She added : "There has also been a decline in industrial relations on these routes with decreased staffing levels and attempted attacks on pension rights. We do not want to see this on services here. I am calling on the Scottish Government to think again, to cancel this unnecessary exercise and to keep our ferries in the public sector."

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