THE Scottish Government is being urged to speed up the search to find a new long-term operator for the troubled Gourock to Kilcreggan ferry service.

Jackie Baillie MSP wants Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to set out a clear timescale for transferring responsibility for the service from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to the Scottish Government.

She says Transport Scotland officials want to integrate the Kilcreggan route into the new Gourock-Dunoon tender because it’s believed this would attract wider interest from larger and more reliable ferry operators.

Ms Baillie said: “SPT will soon announce the winners of the tender for the new 12-month contract, and I hope this will result in a better and more reliable operator taking over from Clydelink. 

“However this will only be a short-term fix, and we need the Scottish Government to assume responsibility for the route to secure a reliable and resilient ferry service for years to come.

“The minister needs to get a move on with delivering on the transfer of responsibility promised to local passengers before the last elections.

“Local passengers have been patient but they have waited long enough.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The responsibility for the Gourock-Kilcreggan ferry service lies with SPT, but we are well aware of the recent significant disruption and understand the frustrations of the passengers that rely on this link. 

“We have received information from SPT on the current service and are aware of their current re-tendering of the service.

“It is clear that the current cost does not represent the true cost of providing a fit for purpose service.

“This true cost will only become clear once the re-tender is complete, and will help inform future discussions on a potential transfer of responsibility.”