Options Summary

At the conclusion of Step 6, a clear summary of options developed should be set-out, together with a recommendation as to how these should be progressed within the context of Transport Scotland’s appraisal and business case guidance. This would either take the form of the recommendation to develop:

• For minor operational changes such as small timetable amendments, an internal case for approval within Transport Scotland
• For proposals focused on primarily revenue measures only, a single stage business case based on a light touch STAG appraisal. The project business case consists of three stages – Strategic, Outline and Final / Full. For relatively low-cost investments for which firm prices are available, it is possible to prepare a single stage business case – this is known as a Business Justification Case (BJC).
• For larger interventions where capital investment is required, a full three stage business case incorporating a STAG approach

It should be noted that any business case should look beyond ferry services alone and consider options in relation to road (for peninsular communities), air services and fixed links.