A travel pressure group says the hospitality industry and retail should be involved in a review of the user agreement between the Steam Packet and the government.

The Department of Infrastructure is inviting expressions of interest from ferry operators who have until January 7 to register an initial interest. The user agreement runs out in 2020 with both parties having an option to extend until 2026.

TravelWatch says it hopes the review will lead to constructive ideas being put forward to improve services and facilities for the future, and says it has examined arrangements for lifeline services in other island communities, adding: 'What has become apparent is that when governments invite expressions of interest to provide ferry services, the initial level of interest will diminish greatly as the process develops, and in some cases there have been no final bids - usually because the operator cannot make a living out of providing the service levels demanded.

'TravelWatch therefore cautiously welcomes the process on which the Department is embarking in inviting interested operators both to register their interest and to participate in discussions.

'We particularly welcome the suggestion that “companies will be expected to have an operating model intended to generate increased passenger traffic” but we believe that, in parallel with this, the department needs to hold discussions with stakeholder organisations such as the hospitality industry, Chamber of Commerce and TravelWatch to identify better how this can be done.

'Finally we are disappointed that the final section of requirements seems to be built around the current fleet and particularly the speed shortcomings of the Ben-my-Chree. The issue of the type of fleet needed to meet future volume and quality of service requirements should not be assumed to be straight replacements of current provision.'

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