Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-13225

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to close any ScotRail ticket offices.

During 2022 and in line with Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, ScotRail undertook a review and consultation of ticket office opening hours. The aim of the review was to establish whether adaptions/changes should be made to reflect changes in travel patterns and ticket purchasing preferences and to reduce ticketless travel.

This work was put on hold until key industrial disputes at ScotRail were resolved. As this has now happened, the Scottish Government is considering the results of the consultation exercise, including any impacts on passenger safety and the needs of passengers with mobility or accessibility needs. The results of this consideration will be announced in due course however it has already been confirmed that there are no proposals for ticket office closures.

Question reference: S6W-13227

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has taken a decision regarding the future of ScotRail ticket office opening hours, following the schedule 17 consultation that was conducted by Abellio ScotRail in January 2022.

Question reference: S6W-13226

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to reduce the opening hours of any ScotRail ticket offices.

Question reference: S6O-01771

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the replacement booking system for CalMac to be fully operational.

Question reference: S6W-12913

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 21 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the restoration of roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Question reference: S6W-12911

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact that the restoration of roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge could have on employment in the (i) shipping, (ii) port and (iii) rail freight sectors of the Scottish economy.

The Scottish Government is supportive of the reintroduction of ferry services from Scotland to Europe.

My officials in Transport Scotland have engaged with a number of interested parties proposing such services and we will continue to engage with potential operators and Scotland’s main ports to provide information and advice on what the Scottish Government can offer in support of a viable commercial proposition. The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have also been engaging with port and haulage stakeholders to explore options to increase trade moved through Scottish ports and we continue to work with Scotland’s main ports to explore the possibility of new ferry services to the Continent.

Question reference: S6W-12912

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the potential environmental impact of restoring roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Question reference: S6W-12916

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with David MacBrayne Ltd regarding the operation of roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Question reference: S6W-12915

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to put a contract out to commercial tender for roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Question reference: S6W-12914

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with representatives from (a) Forth Ports and (b) Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority regarding the restoration of roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Transport Scotland officials have regular discussions with Forth Ports officials regarding a number of maritime issues, including direct ferry links to Europe.

Transport Scotland officials have met with Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority officials twice this year, to discuss potential links between Scottish ports and Antwerp-Bruges Port. There have also been government to government discussions with the Government of Flanders and Transport Scotland officials are maintaining this contact.

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