Transport Scotland told the Committee of pilot work taking place on Coll and Mull and Iona on release of a certain amount of deck space for those seeking essential travel, rather than booking ahead.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 February 2023, Col 53
Capacity on NorthLink routes in particular were highlighted as an issue.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 June 2022, Col 14, Official Report, 7 February 2023, Col 19 and 21, written submissions from Beatrice Wishart MSP and Orkney Islands Council This was partly to do with alterations to the policy on booking cabins post-pandemic.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 7 February 2023, Col 20 The reasons for this were questioned as shared occupancy was allowed, just not facilitated by NorthLink.iNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 21 February 2023, Col 49 The impact of this on concessionary allowances was also highlighted as well as calls to re-instate the previous ability to book a single berth within a shared cabin.xivWritten submissions Beatrice Wishart MSP and Liam McArthur MSP It was proposed the Scottish Government should consult on this change if it was to be permanent.iiWritten submission from Liam McArthur MSP
A further challenge for the northern isles was the transportation of freight and additional capacity to support industry and local economies, such as agriculture and fishing...