A REPORT on the viability of the Island’s ferry links has concluded that routes should have a single licensed operator.
The long awaited document - which was commissioned jointly by the Economic Development and Harbours and Airport Committees and written by consultants Oxera - suggests that the Island’s northern and southern routes should each be served by a single ferry company, although competition should be allowed in the summer if there is enough demand.
The report adds that measures should be in place to avoid any abuse of an operator’s monopoly position - either by having an auction prior to the award of an licence, which would be given to the firm selling the cheapest average ticket - or by a more detailed service level agreement.
Commenting on the report, Harbours president Senator Len Norman said that it contained no surprises but he suspected that Oxera had under-estimated the amount of competition to and from Jersey.
Article posted on 13th July, 2004 - 12.00am
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