Shetland MSP Tavish Scott is planning to raise islanders’ concerns about Serco’s recent changes to the North Boats service at a meeting with its chief executive Stuart Garrett on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Scott said he planned to discuss the impact of Serco NorthLink’s recent £1 million refurbishment of its two passenger ships.
Issues which islanders have voiced disquiet about include the introduction of the premium access Magnus Lounge, removal of Shetland lamb from the vessels’ menu and other catering changes.
“Many Shetlanders have been in touch concerned about some of the changes which have affected our lifeline ferry service,” Mr Scott said.
“I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss group islander discounts and worries over changes to on-board catering and prices with Serco’s chief executive.
“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.”
Mr Scott added: “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.”
Readers' Comments
I’ve heard the food is rubbish now! A pity as the food in the resteraunt used to be very acceptable.
- Sandy McDonaldMarch 5, 2013
My Daughter recently traveled with Northlink, food very average & expensive. Not like it was before SERCO took control
- Margret SinclairMarch 6, 2013
Travelled a few weeks ago and the food was a vast improvement, but still overpriced for what it was. Almost £10 for a breakfast is insane, surely they are costing themselves customers with prices like that?
- David SpenceMarch 6, 2013
Nothing wrong with the food a couple weeks ago and not to expensive either(except the brekkie)went to cafe in Aberdeen for that,also bar prices no more than we pay in the local pubs anyway.This is not a cruise liner is it or is there just no pleasing some folk!
- Michael GrantMarch 6, 2013
“I’ve heard”?
Surely any comment you make should be based on facts, not hearsay?
- Robert ErasmusonMarch 6, 2013
Travelled a few weeks ago and the food was fine in the evening offering; but £10 for breakfast was ridiculous. I was travelling with someone who needed something to eat with which to take medication; the only alternative to a £10 breakfast was a bacon roll. We would have loved a bowl of porridge, but not at £10!
- Sue BeerMarch 6, 2013
I hope SERCO chief executive Stuart Garrett doesn’t continue to emulate Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary by charging for every add-on he can think of; at least Ryanair’s ticket prices start low, SERCO – NorthLink’s prices certainly don’t.
- Allen FraserMarch 6, 2013
Robert Eramuson, your comment adds nothing to the discussion, it is purely a jibe to rile another commentator. If I hear a story from a person who’s opinion I trust I am well within my rights to mention this. If its more detail you wish, the complaint was specifically against the quality of the food on offer, and the fact that one of the “specials” was that well known culinary master piece: Sausage Casarole (that looked as if it had been made in the same factory as one of those minging Tescos ready meals).
- Sandy McDonaldMarch 7, 2013
I recently used the Northlink ferry, the food was marginally better. I had the breakfast in the morning and so did my husband, that was £10 each (i was able to claim for mine so it evened it out) so we had the full english but for that price it shoud be a buffet breakfast so that you could come back for more if you wished, yes, you could go back and fill up with orange juice and cereal but it seemed that the hod food was a once only! I sound very piggy, but say I was a worker who wanted a big breakfast? It wasn’t a big hot breakfast!
However I made one mistake. When I returned home and checked my receipts I found a voucher which I hadn’t been told about that gave a free breakfast the next day valid only for that journey!! Did anyone else miss this amongst the masses of till receipts given at breakfast? It would have been useful to have been told this at the checkout!! Get with it staff!!
- Kim Dixon,
March 7, 2013
£10 for breakfast?
Flipping heck, I’ll be straight off the ferry and into the nearest caff!
- Harry DentMarch 7, 2013
If you think you have been over charged on the Northlink Ferry, send a photo copy of your recipt to the Scottish goverment and ask to be reimbursed part of the cost, they gave the contract to Serco.
- mike perryMarch 7, 2013
Just as they give a big wodge of cash to the ferry companies just to keep us 25,000 people “connected”. A sum many as local authority throughout the rest of Scotland would give their back teeth for. But suppose we deserve it all.
- Jonathon SandisonMarch 8, 2013
I wonder if Serco would charge you for a plate with no food upon it?
Bring onboard your own food, sandwiches etc. ask for a plate at the kitchen service and proceed to sit down at a table and eat your own food. Would they get the hint or charge you for a plate with no food on it, apart from your own lol.
On a previous trip on the boat, under Serco, I asked for a cup of hot water at the kitchen counter (and wasn’t charged for it) and brought my own coffee (ok, it was nescafe 3 in 1 packets (powdered milk, sugar and coffee)) and have had no problems with staff when I ask for another cup of hot water. I hope, in future, this continues, but given the fact that there are more con’s (literally) than pro’s, it would not surprise me if Serco did charge for a cup of hot water.
- David SpenceMarch 8, 2013
Why should they not seek to make a charge, albeit nominal, for hot water or the provision of plates? They are, after all, running a business and have overheads to meet to heat the water, deliver it to you, wash the crockery afterwards and employ someone to do all of this! £10 breakfasts, however, will not work as I suspect most folk are looking for a cup of tea/coffee and cereal/roll/toast for £3/4?
- M InksterMichael Inkster
March 8, 2013
I travel to the islands regularly, and with it taking hours of international flights to get there it would be lovely to also have a bed or chair to sleep in without having to pay a fortune! The boats are in lovely condition, with great service. But i agree the food is very overpriced, Islanders only want to get back and forth!
I have purchased cabins before only to find out that getting a plane to Shetland is almost the same price! Finding out that now their is no sleeping in the lounges or bars (fair enough call) means that we now have to pay to sleep on the recliners.. why the change? I can understand having to sleep elsewhere.. but having to pay to sleep is a bummer when it’s an overnight boat.
I can understand the idea of buying your own food before you go on the boat, but if you are traveling.. who wants to take a suitcase through a supermarket?.. Also if you are buying a cabin and want to take your own food, their is no fridge! for milk ect. The food is wonderful. The boat is in good condition.. People don’t take the boat for luxury, they take it for a cheaper way to shetland, something to eat and a sleep!
- Mirren YoungMarch 10, 2013