Two operators have been invited to competed for a £1 billion contract to run the Cal Mac ferry route network on the west coast,
CalMac Ferries Limited and Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited have both passed the
pre-
Today, both operators will receive access to copies of the draft tender documentation, which will then formally be issued to them on the 10th July.
Their final tender should be submitted in January with the winner to be announced in May 2016.
The prize is about £125 million a year to run ferries to the Western Isles, Inner Hebrides and Argyll and Clyde communities for eight years from October 2016.
Scottish Transport Minister, Derek Mackay said: “This is another significant step forward for the tender process and moves us closer to awarding the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.
“The award of this contract will be an incredibly important moment for the island communities served by these lifeline ferry services.
"The Scottish Government will provide up to £1bn of funding to support the enhancement and development of these services, in addition to fares revenue.
"It will also ensure that Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) continues to be applied on CHFS routes, bringing significantly reduced fares for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches and helping to support local communities and the tourist industry."
“These ferry services play a crucial role in enabling continued and sustainable economic growth for the Islands. We are committed to delivering the very best deal for all of the communities of the Clyde and Hebrides.”
Two rivals compete for £1 billion Cal Mac ferry routes tender
9 June 2015