Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the statement today from the Scottish Government which signals no unbundling of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Service (CHFS), that the new contracted service will commence in 2016, and that CalMac will be awarded a three year interim contract until that time.

Mr Thompson said, "I am already on record extoling the excellent service the staff on Calmac ferries supply to the travelling public, and also praising Calmac on their strides in improving the service and efficiency they currently supply.

"I am therefore delighted with this confirmation that the service will be procured as a single contract and with the news that Calmac have more time to raise their game still further.

"The other huge benefit is the three year period will allow a more detailed scoping exercise of the new contract to be offered, which might encompass some services supplied by local authorities.

"The other big plus is, in this time of unprecedented UK financial constraint ,Calmac staff have several further years of stability and certainty before the award of a new contract.