Wishart encourages views on NorthLink

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has highlighted the news of Transport Scotland's Community Needs Assessment for the Orkney and Shetland islands seeking views of NorthLink ferry services.

Part of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) Transport Scotland is seeking responses ranging from current dependency on ferry timetables to what affect cheaper flights would have on travel choices.

Last month Ms Wishart submitted a 3,500-word response to the Scottish Government’s Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract consultation which sought views on the service ahead of the next contract. In 2023 Ms Wishart launched a ferries survey asking isles residents and passengers to outline their experience of the service with around 1,000 respondents providing their views.

Ms Wishart commented:

“This latest survey seeks a holistic understanding of passengers travels patterns and choices. Our lifeline services must serve islanders.

“Coming so closely to the previous Transport Scotland consultation I fear it may be daunting to tackle another survey. I would encourage engagement with the process because if views aren’t provided they cannot be taken into account and others will make these decisions for us.”