Politics / Goodlad demands far better ferry service
THE SNP candidate for next year’s parliamentary elections, Hannah Mary Goodlad, has called for further improvements in the island’s lifeline ferry service.
Her comments come after NorthLink/Transport Scotland opened up bookings for the coming year yesterday (Monday), around two months earlier than in previous years.
Goodlad said the issue had been raised at the recent public meeting she organised with first minister John Swinney in Lerwick.
While welcoming the progress, Goodlad stressed that much more must be done to improve Shetland’s lifeline service.
“The cost of travel remains too high, and the continued scandal of locals having no option but to sleep on the floor during busy months must be resolved,” she said.
“This is not a luxury cruise for us – it is our lifeline service.”
The parliamentary candidate confirmed that she has put forward a motion to the SNP conference in October, calling for the introduction of an “islanders’ quota” for cabin bookings.
She added: “Fares are far too expensive. This is exactly why Shetland must have a stronger say over our lifeline service – and why greater island autonomy is so important.
“Booking calendars. Cabin availability. Costs. None of it is good enough, and these are issues that I will continue to tackle as a number one priority during my campaign.”
So far only two candidates have been confirmed to be standing for the Shetland constituency seat in the May 2026 election; Goodlad for the SNP, and council leader Emma Macdonald for the Lib Dems.
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