CalMac bid winner expected to push forward smartcard payments, says tender
THE winning bidder for the new CalMac contract will be expected to drive forward smart-ticketing technology that would enable passengers to use a single national travel card on trains, buses, trams, subway and ferries – including non-CalMac services.
Private sector firm Serco is vying to take over the service from the incumbent public sector operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd.
The successful bidder will be named in May 2016, with the successful bidder running services from October for up to eight years.
The ITT document states that “a key part of the ticket provision for the next [Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services] contract will revolve around smart and integrated ticketing and payment”.
By October 2021, the successful bidder must ensure “the majority of foot passenger journeys across all ticket types” are made using smart media.
The requirements set out in the ITT are in line with the Scottish Government’s vision to create a national smartcard that would be compatible with all transport operators’ equipment, across the across the rail, bus, ferry, tram and Subway sectors.
Although the invitation to tender asks the operators to “set out how they would achieve any changes to staffing arrangements whilst providing satisfactory evidence that this will not adversely affect safety and service delivery”, RMT said it was satisfied there would be no enforced lay-offs.
The document also states that pay and conditions are a “commercial matter for the operator” .
Mick Cash, RMT general eecretary said: “We have got guarantees from CalMac and the Scottish Government on no compulsory redundancies, subsidy clawback and the CalMac Pension Fund which were sufficient to resolve our dispute with CalMac. Some of these are in the ITT – clawback and pensions – but others are in addition to the tendering process ,including no compulsory redundancies.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “To comply with EU procurement law, we cannot compel bidders to guarantee no compulsory redundancies. Bidders can make a voluntary commitment through tendering processes, as was the case in the recent ScotRail franchise. We would seek to achieve a similar outcome in the next CHFS contract.”
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “It is important to reiterate that no matter the outcome of the procurement process, Scottish Ministers will retain control of all of important issues, such as fares and timetables, through the public service contract. Vessels and port infrastructure will also remain publicly owned as they are now.
“As Minister for Transport and Islands, I am well aware of the vital role these ferry services play in enabling continued and sustainable economic growth for the Islands. We are focused on ensuring a fair and open competition that leads to getting the very best deal for all of the communities of the Clyde and Hebrides.”