Consultation Questions

Capacity and demand

There are different options for overnight accommodation on ferry services. There are cabins, pods and reclining seats.

Question 1. If you have used overnight accommodation on a service, please give your views on them in the box below:

Some ferries can show as fully booked sail but they empty spaces. This is because some booked cars, lorries and/or cabin users do not show up or do not cancel.

We are thinking about a late cancellation fee for pre-booked tickets. This would encourage customers to cancel bookings. There would be enough time so that spaces can be made given to others.

Question 2. Do you agree with this idea?

Yes
No
No opinion

Please explain your answer in the box below:

Unplanned and essential travel

Most journeys on Northern Isle ferry services are booked in advance. But sometimes pre-booking a ticket is not an option. People may need to buy a ticket at the last minute.

Question 3. What do you think could help those who need to travel urgently? Please tell us in the box below:

Fares

Currently there are seasonal and islander fares. Islanders get a discount of 30% all year round. But we know that travel can be expensive for some.

Question 4. Would you like to see fares depending on the distance travelled?

Yes
No
No opinion

Please explain your answer in the box below:

We will think about using RET fares on longer routes, like Aberdeen - Kirkwall - Lerwick. This could include reducing the mileage rate or capping at the current mid season fare.

Question 5. Do you have comments on these ideas or any other suggestions about fares?

Yes
No
No opinion

Please explain your answer in the box below:

Question 6. Would you like to see higher prices for visitors?

Yes
No
No opinion

Please explain your answer in the box below:

Community voice, transparency and accountability

We would like to make sure that the community has a proper say in how Norther Isles ferry services are run. This could mean changing the way the ferry companies communicate with the community.

Question 7. Would you like to see any changes in how the ferry company communicates?

Yes
No
No opinion

Please explain your answer in the box below:

The NIFS Operator and Transport Scotland regularly communicate with the Orkney External Transport Forum and Shetland External Transport Forum.

The Transport Forums are groups that represent the communities and businesses in Orkney and Shetland. They give feedback to the service provider and Transport Scotland.

Question 8. Do you think these transport forums are good at reflecting the views of the communities?

Yes
No
No opinion

Please explain your answer in the box below:

Connected travel

We want to look at ways to connect ferry travel with other travel like trains and buses. We want to include more options for environmentally friendly travel.

Question 9. Please tell us about transport options to or from the ferry service terminals. Please tell us which terminals you use.

Question 10. How could the options for travel to and from the service terminals be made better?

Accessibility

Some groups face extra challenges when traveling on Northern Isle ferry services. This can be because of age, gender reassignment, pregnancy, disability, race religion, sex or sexual orientation.

Question 11. How do you think services could be made more accessible contract?

Impact on the environment

We must think about the how ferries affect the environment. This includes air quality, water quality, noise, wildlife, and culture.

Question 12. Do you have any other suggestions on how the service can reduce their environmental impact.

Please tell us in the box below:

Lorries and vans

Community feedback told us that bookings for lorries and vans can mean there is less space for other vehicles on ferries.

Question 13. Are there ways to improve how Services work with lorries and vans?

General

Question 15. Do you have any other suggestions on how services could be better? Please tell us in the box below:

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