News / Lifeline not a mini-cruise
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is to raise group islander discounts and catering on board Serco NorthLink vessels when he meets the company’s chief executive Stuart Garrett on Wednesday.
The former transport minister said he had been contacted by many islanders who had voiced their concern with many of the recent changes on board the vessels.
Services company Serco was awarded the six year contract for the northern isles lifeline service in summer last year.
Last month, following a £1 million refurbishment of the Hjaltland and Hrossey which introduced upgraded reclining seats and public showers, Serco NorthLink announced a raft of changes to its on-board pricing structure.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Scott said: “It is disappointing that Shetland produce appears to have been dropped from the menus at a time when most consumers are pushing for locally sourced and traceable, trustworthy ingredients to be more available.
“This is a lifeline service, not a mini-cruise, for most Shetlanders. Services for those travelling on a budget, for whom getting from A to B is the main objective, need to be accessible without additional entrance fees and the feeling of segregation.”
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