Amidst continuing and vocal concerns amongst users of the new passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon, Scottish Ministers yesterday (30 November 2011) met with the Chair and Chief Executive of Argyll Ferries Ltd. At the meeting the operators offered ministers assurances that efforts would be made to address the concerns.
The position of the Ministers is that ferry services in the Cowal Peninsula must be fit for purpose. The backgreo0und to the meeting is that, since the new contract came into force earlier this year, there have been concerns about the reliability of the service on the Gourock-Dunoon route.
Following the meeting. Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil – departmental boss of Transport Minister Keith Brown, said: ‘We are absolutely committed to providing a ferry service that meets the needs of passengers and have made clear our disappointment to the operator.
‘We have called upon AFL to develop an improvement plan which lays out how they propose addressing the immediate operational issues. I expect to receive this very soon.
‘We will continue to work closely with the operator to ensure that the improvement plan is implemented and that the people of Argyll receive the standard of service they expect.
‘We have also instructed AFL to improve their communications strategy to ensure customers are provided with full information and timely updates.’
Ministers are to continue to monitor efforts made by AFL to address these issues in the coming weeks, taking any action necessary to ensure the service improves.
Archie Robertson, Chief Executive of David MacBrayne Ltd, the parent company of Argyll Ferries Ltd, said: ‘We fully recognise that the new service has not met the expectations of our customers or ourselves and are absolutely focused on making it work.
‘We have made a significant investment in the vessels, including the recent extensive refits which resulted in a reduced service for a few weeks, and for which we appreciate customers’ patience. They can be assured we are fully committed to achieving our vision of a world-class passenger ferry service on this route.
‘We regret the inconvenience caused to customers and welcome the feedback we have received from them to date. We now look forward to working with the newly formed ferry users group to continue the service improvements already put in place.’
It has to be said that there is the smack of the stocks about this, the ritual public humbling of the servant to take the gaze from the master.
It was the Scottish Government whose managem,nt of the circumstances of the tender and contract left the new Argyll Ferries management and service staff in a position where they had – and have – no chance of delivering a first class service early in the contract.
16 days from winning the tender to starting the service, in the context of an infrastructure at both ends of the route that is wholly unsuited to the nature of the boats hurriedly bought – all that were available, is not a situation that should lead to further humiliation of Argyll Ferries. They have, of course, been trying their best with a deck lacking the face cards.
Nothing of substance has emerged from this meeting, It has been held in an effort to calm the natives – who will immediately spot the ruse.
It is the actions that will tell the tale and at least one of the two boats will have to be replaced.
However, the very speed with which this meeting has been held – a week after the stooshie in Dunoon – is proof that Dunoon has made its point and that attention is being paid. In the end, though. its action that counts.