This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36330479
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| CalMac wins £900m ferry contract | CalMac wins £900m ferry contract |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Caledonian MacBrayne has won a new £900m contract to continue operating the Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Network. | Caledonian MacBrayne has won a new £900m contract to continue operating the Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Network. |
| State-owned CalMac and private firm Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited had been competing for the contract to run the services. | State-owned CalMac and private firm Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited had been competing for the contract to run the services. |
| CalMac already operates the routes on the west coast of Scotland, which include the inner and outer Hebrides. | |
| The new contract, which was awarded by the Scottish government, covers the eight-year period from 1 October. | The new contract, which was awarded by the Scottish government, covers the eight-year period from 1 October. |
| The tendering process was the source of a dispute between unions and CalMac and the Scottish government last year. | The tendering process was the source of a dispute between unions and CalMac and the Scottish government last year. |
| Independent panel | Independent panel |
| The Scottish government said EU rules meant it had to open the process to competitive bids. | The Scottish government said EU rules meant it had to open the process to competitive bids. |
| The dispute saw an independent panel set up to provide examine the tender process, which it found to have been fair, open and transparent. | The dispute saw an independent panel set up to provide examine the tender process, which it found to have been fair, open and transparent. |
| Serco already runs the NorthLink ferries to Orkney and Shetland. | Serco already runs the NorthLink ferries to Orkney and Shetland. |
| The Scottish government said CalMac had committed to retaining its pension scheme, and to a policy of no compulsory redundancies. | The Scottish government said CalMac had committed to retaining its pension scheme, and to a policy of no compulsory redundancies. |
| Its bid included 350 commitments to improve the service, including £6m investment in vessel and port improvements. | Its bid included 350 commitments to improve the service, including £6m investment in vessel and port improvements. |
| Among its other pledges are: | |
| CalMac operates 31 vessels, which provide 135,585 sailings every year - an average of 373 sailings a day - to 24 island destinations and 50 ports. | |
| Its ferries carried more than 4.6 million passengers last year. | |
| Confirming CalMac as the preferred bidder, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the ferry company was "woven into the fabric of the communities they serve". | Confirming CalMac as the preferred bidder, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the ferry company was "woven into the fabric of the communities they serve". |
| 'Smart ticketing' | 'Smart ticketing' |
| Ms Sturgeon added: "Their tender offers a good deal for those communities served by these vital transport links and ensures that we can maximise the opportunities to support and nurture our island economies. | Ms Sturgeon added: "Their tender offers a good deal for those communities served by these vital transport links and ensures that we can maximise the opportunities to support and nurture our island economies. |
| "CalMac will better manage demand to drive an increase in traffic, as well as make the ferry services more attractive with the introduction of smart ticketing on key routes." | "CalMac will better manage demand to drive an increase in traffic, as well as make the ferry services more attractive with the introduction of smart ticketing on key routes." |
| She said the contract meant Scottish Ministers would retain control of all of important issues, such as fares and timetables, through the public service contract. | She said the contract meant Scottish Ministers would retain control of all of important issues, such as fares and timetables, through the public service contract. |
| Welcoming the announcement, CalMac managing director Martin Dorchester said: "We are proud to be given the opportunity to transform ferry passengers' experience across the west coast of Scotland and to work closely with our partners to connect towns, cities and communities like never before. | |
| "Our successful bid demonstrates our ability to provide innovative service improvements and value for money for customers." | |
| Scottish Labour, Scottish Greens and the RMT union had been due to hold a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament calling on CalMac to be awarded the contract. | Scottish Labour, Scottish Greens and the RMT union had been due to hold a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament calling on CalMac to be awarded the contract. |