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Tugmistress
04-May-12, 19:25
Northlink will officially finish 5th July and Serco will take over.

copied below from the serco ltd web site
]Serco selected as preferred bidder to deliver lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles in Scotland
Date : 04 May 2012
Serco Group plc (Serco), the international service company, announces today, that it has been selected as preferred bidder by Transport Scotland for a new contract to deliver lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles. The contract, which is expected to be signed in the coming months and is due to start in Summer 2012, has a total estimated value of approximately £350m over six years.
Under the contract Serco will operate the ferry services for freight and passengers between the Scottish mainland and the Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands, providing essential access and supplies for the islanders. The staff employed by the current operator NorthLink are expected to transfer to the new service under TUPE regulations.
Serco will work in partnership with local stakeholders and with Transport Scotland to improve service standards by more effectively meeting the needs of islanders, businesses and the increasing number of visitors to the Northern Isles whilst delivering better value for money for the taxpayer. This contract will build on Serco's experience of managing and transforming critical local transport services such as Northern Rail, Scatsta Airport on the Shetland Islands and London's Woolwich Ferry. Serco also has extensive operations in the international marine market including services for the Royal Navy through which it operates more ships under the UK flag than any other company.
Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco Group, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen by Transport Scotland for this crucial lifeline ferry service. By bringing our proven transport and marine expertise, our approach will enable us to improve the service to customers whilst delivering good value for the taxpayer. This contract adds to our strong presence in Scotland supporting the improved delivery of public services. We look forward to continuing our track record in delivering better and more customer-led transport services for users and delivering efficiencies for our customer."

colingel
04-May-12, 19:44
Will they keep the hamnavoe?

Tugmistress
04-May-12, 19:48
Not sure, but they have stated they will keep the crossing time at 90 minutes and they will not use either of the big ferries for cover at dry dock time but bring another vessel.

Just found this on a Shetland website, yes they are keeping the hamnavoe by the sound of it

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/4059-serco-take-ferry-contract-from-northlink.html

eriba47
04-May-12, 21:30
Northlink have kept the Hamnavoe in excellent condition and I can't see where Serco can make any improvements.

Kenn
04-May-12, 23:00
Just been doing some checking and serco appear to be a management advisary service to companies so am now some what bemused.
Would like to know alot more about this as for the moment it's not making sense.

Tugmistress
05-May-12, 08:45
You know as much as we do lizz, seems they have a fair bit of experience in all sorts of transportation so we will just have to wait and see what happens i guess.

poppett
05-May-12, 10:09
Serco............do they not run private prisons and the prison transportation service to/from court to prison?

Alrock
05-May-12, 10:33
Serco............do they not run private prisons and the prison transportation service to/from court to prison?

They'll run anything they think they can make a buck or 2 out off... Worked for them in the past myself when they where running the maintenance department of a hospital.

highland red
06-May-12, 11:49
Hello P. Just been reading about this on BBC news. My youngest son works for Serco, though not in the marine division (he is an aircraft engineer), but from our conversations over the years it would appear that they are not a bad company to work for. I'm going to be speaking to him today so I'll ask if he knows owt.
D


Northlink will officially finish 5th July and Serco will take over.

copied below from the serco ltd web site
]Serco selected as preferred bidder to deliver lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles in Scotland
Date : 04 May 2012
Serco Group plc (Serco), the international service company, announces today, that it has been selected as preferred bidder by Transport Scotland for a new contract to deliver lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles. The contract, which is expected to be signed in the coming months and is due to start in Summer 2012, has a total estimated value of approximately £350m over six years.
Under the contract Serco will operate the ferry services for freight and passengers between the Scottish mainland and the Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands, providing essential access and supplies for the islanders. The staff employed by the current operator NorthLink are expected to transfer to the new service under TUPE regulations.
Serco will work in partnership with local stakeholders and with Transport Scotland to improve service standards by more effectively meeting the needs of islanders, businesses and the increasing number of visitors to the Northern Isles whilst delivering better value for money for the taxpayer. This contract will build on Serco's experience of managing and transforming critical local transport services such as Northern Rail, Scatsta Airport on the Shetland Islands and London's Woolwich Ferry. Serco also has extensive operations in the international marine market including services for the Royal Navy through which it operates more ships under the UK flag than any other company.
Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco Group, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen by Transport Scotland for this crucial lifeline ferry service. By bringing our proven transport and marine expertise, our approach will enable us to improve the service to customers whilst delivering good value for the taxpayer. This contract adds to our strong presence in Scotland supporting the improved delivery of public services. We look forward to continuing our track record in delivering better and more customer-led transport services for users and delivering efficiencies for our customer."

davem
06-May-12, 12:34
Just love the idea that they run ships for the navy - after all what would the navy know about running boats!!!! Astute excepted ;)

Tugmistress
06-May-12, 16:07
They seem to be in to everything! just heard that they were one of the companies bidding for the decommissioning of dounreay and they look after all the traffic lights in london - some bizarre diversity there!