Online ferry survey launched across Scotland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government have launched an online business survey as part of the Scottish Ferries Review. Businesses throughout Scotland's island, coastal and peninsular communities are being invited to take part in the survey, which should only take around 10 minutes to complete.

This is a key opportunity for any business that uses or depends on internal ferry services in Scotland, to contribute to the Ferries Review. The survey covers current use and satisfaction with ferry services and asks how possible changes to services would benefit businesses.

The Scottish Government are carrying out this review across all Scottish ferry routes including all domestic and private services. The review will consider current provision of ferry services and what improvements should be made to meet future needs. This review meets the Government's commitment set out in the 2006 National Transport Strategy (NTS) to "develop a long-term strategy for lifeline services to 2025".

The NTS requires the Scottish Government to carry out "a detailed appraisal of routes" to determine whether a better structure could be developed in response to calls for new and faster connections serving those isolated communities, and a review of fare structures as part of the affordability of public transport.

To access the survey, please visit www.hie.co.uk/ferries-business-survey.htm. To find out more about the review, visit: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport/ferries-ports-canals/14342/Review