Letters / Open letter to Jim Fairlie MSP, Scottish Government minister for agriculture and connectivity
I read, with some interest, in the Shetland News, that the First Minister was “dumbfounded” as to NorthLink Ferries’ current operating practices.
I live in London but love Shetland and will be travelling on holiday next month on the 17th.
For what it’s worth I echo Mr Cluness’ intervention at the consultation event that Swinney attended.
I am disabled with a back injury and there is no way I can tolerate a sleeping pod for such a long time. This route is a 12/13 hour overnight crossing. I can only feasibly book a cabin.
Swinney ‘dumbfounded’ that NorthLink passengers cannot book for 2026
Also, when it comes to trains – I can only feasibly travel first class because my back cannot sustain more than an hour sitting on an ironing board standard class seat.
Combined with the exorbitant price of cabins and needing to travel first class – sadly it was cheaper to fly!
Responsible governments, such as yours, are encouraging all of us to ditch the plane in favour of the train. I have been an environmental activist and it aroused really mixed feelings that I found myself booking flights to Shetland!
I am also an armed forces veteran and there are currently no discounts for veterans nor even blue light workers.
There are these points I would like to suggest for the new contract:
- Easier to understand and navigate the booking process. Only a transport enthusiast like me is able to get their head round cross-referencing the cabin availability matrix with the real live booking.
- RAIL SAIL tickets must be made available so when booking a train to Aberdeen you get offered option to book onto Northlink for a passenger ticket.You get a booking reference which you can use on the Northlink website to upgrade ticket. Providing same discount as any railcard holders
- PlusBus integration into ZetTrans – so you’re already booked onto bus services on Shetland ahead of your arrival.
- Defence Discount Service and Blue Light Card discount.
- Opening up the bidding to https://www.smyrilline.com/ thus increasing connectivity to the European Continent.
The last time I visited Shetland was something like 15 years ago and the pricing and complication of the booking process for NorthLink has vastly increased. I was frankly shocked.
Dave Croft
London
