Question reference: S4W-29094
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 December 2015
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Current status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 6 January 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it has set for the tender process for Gourock/Dunoon ferry services and whether it will ensure that an independent group is appointed from local communities to scrutinise the process and guarantee its fairness and impartiality.
Answer
A prior information notice issued on 16 December 2015 setting out our intention to undertake a public procurement process to appoint a service operator to provide a subsidised passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres from 30 June 2017. We will also encourage potential participants to provide an unsubsidised vehicle-carrying service at their own commercial risk.
A meeting of the Gourock Dunoon Ferry Service Steering Group will take place on 19 January 2016 to discuss details of our approach to the procurement process and the timeline leading up to the award of the contract. The Gourock-Dunoon ferry service contract will be awarded in good time, ensuring it is in place and operational on 30 June 2017.