 Ar weithi, mae gennw'n gweithio'r bysdnegolol o'r cyfrifoedd y Gŵyd dros unrhyw. Ysgolwcent ysgolwyd yr afganadd ymddangol i'r fferi trafel yn gallu bain ac yn serffaith. Mae ysgolwyd yr afganadd ymddangol yn gwybod a'i gwaith i fferi trafel, cofnidau gan y Clident Hebride i gyntaf y flwyddyn i fferi contract sydd gyda'r ystod, drafnau i fod yn ei wneud i gweithio'r bysdegol, gan ei achos o'r fferi tref EQ yn lle i'r cirisi sefydlu corff autograph, i fyfairio i fynd i gweithio i'w gwneud i gweithio i'w gwneud i'w gwneud i'w gwneudiatr i fynd i gweithio i fynd i gweithio i'w gwneud i'w gwneud i fynd i ddenyddiaeth, i fferiwch,otwch i gweithio i hynny. Felly, fy newid y gwbl y ffrif yn fwy koelwch yn fawr mwy o helyc. Mae ychydig iawn yn cael ei wneud i eich ffyrdd y ffrif o rhan amddangos o'r newid a'u siaradau ac yw rhan am ddyn nhw ddyn nhw dyfodol. Donald Cameron. The Minister will be aware of the Wysb Daily's walk-in that has greeted one of the proposals of the Scottish ferries plan, which led me to increase peak-time ferry fares. A resident of Ile has told me that hiking fares on lifeline services will only serve to discourage people from living in our island communities. What assurances can the minister give to people across the highlands and islands that they will not be impacted by such proposal? More specifically, how does such a proposal inter-relate with the RET? Felly, rydw i ddim chwy說n hwn o'r apsyniadau y fferioes ffordd gŸwyl o'r gweithio cyfrifodol a'r cerddordeb yn'r wneud. Fe felly, dywed i ddim yn y rhan o'r gyfeirio gerdwysgol hon, rwy'n dweud i ddweud i ddweud i dweud o wneud i ddweud i ddweud i ddweud irbyn y pethau ar gyfer euchydigol, ar gyfer y gysylltu ar hyd i ddweud i ddweud i ddweud i Cafes Adon crochetwch o'r f�rodau cyreunegiwn i golygu y nifer yn agn东ations. Mae'r De primary vaennyd郵 좋아하伯 a hynny nifer inviteiol wedi i gynnwysau sortr fel LlyfrID ynghylch i fyfyrddog ohau ac wrth gweithio, wrth gweithio, y rhagorau ynghylch yn ei ffyrdd y fwrdd. Fel rhai o'r dda arwag ffrif ventaidd, mae'n gweld, mae'n sicrhau eich ysgrifffos ati γysylltu. Rhyw ddisgu, mae'n gwybod i'r ddechrau ar gael Ddodg, a'r ddodeg, ddodig ddodig ddodig i ddodig diwyllaeth ein torff yw ddodig yn 282 miliwn, ondi yn 234 miliwn. Passager figures in 2007 were £4.73 million, compared with £5.27 million in 2018, an increase of 11.5%. We certainly very much welcome the growing demand for ferry services and, as reflected in the answer to Mr Cameron, we are keen to obviously maintain all fares as low as we can. This reflects the popularity of our islands, of course the growing demand with tourists and the success of our policy to introduce RET, but in the three years since the full rollout of RET in October 2015, passenger numbers across the Clyde and Hebride services increased by 14 per cent and car numbers increased by 25 per cent, which shows the success of the policy. We have commissioned a study to reassure Mr Gibson and other members that will estimate the impact of RET on demand for ferry services across the network. This research will also help to identify the medium to long-term effects of RET to inform future policy decisions and we expect that to be completed by the end of 2019. To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on tendering the Northern Isles ferry services contract. The invitation to tender for the next contract to run the Northern Isles ferry services was issued to three bidders on 17 January this year. Submission of final tender bid is scheduled for spring of this year, followed by the tender evaluation period with the contract due to start on 31 October 2019. Can I thank the minister for that reply? When will the minister be in a position to publish the specification for the tender, given no one in Orkney or Shetland knows what is in it yet? Does that tender specification have any improvements on the current contract? Will the minister make clear who the third company bidding is, as we well know that Serco and indeed the minister's own choice, CalMac, are already two out of the three companies? We are committed to fair, open and transparent tender, which aims to get the best steel for the communities that depend on the ferry services that are serving Mr Scott's constituents and others in the Northern Isles. It is important that the identity of the bidders remains confidential at the stage in the procurement procedure. We will be discussing the procurement procedure with bidders in the coming weeks, following which we intend to publish the IETT on the Transport Scotland website and make sure that Mr Scott is aware when that is published. We will also review whether it would be appropriate to identify the individual bidders at that point for the clarity that Mr Scott is seeking. I think that, in terms of the points about the improvements to the service, I should say that we have, after extensive consultation with stakeholders including, hopefully, elected members such as Mr Scott, Mr MacArthur and others, we have sought out to try and produce as much flexibility in the new contract to allow variations in services and timetables to be undertaken with greater ease than under the current contract. I hope that that is something that those representing the communities that are served by the services will welcome. Colin Smyth Thank you, Presiding Officer. Will the Scottish Government ensure that vessels on the Northern Isles ferry services contract are covered by collective bargaining agreements with the maritime unions? Will that be part of the specifications for the contract? In terms of the point that Mr Smyth recognises, I recognise very much the point that he is making about trying to ensure that we have fair working practices in the all-procurement contracts that the Scottish Government is associated with. I assure Mr Smyth that we are strongly encouraging through the ITT good engagement with trade unions and other stakeholders, and I will happily, as soon as I am able to give detail to Mr Smyth about what is specifically in the ITT on those issues, that will be of help to him. Mark Ruskell To ask the Scottish Government how commuters views inform ScotRail timetabling changes. Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson Ahead of the December 2018 timetable change, ScotRail consulted with local authorities and regional transport partnerships that represent passengers' interests throughout the timetable development process. ScotRail has also adopted a new approach to the May 2019 timetable change by publishing its proposals and inviting customers to comment. We are not aware of this level of consultation being undertaken by any other UK train operating company. ScotRail has already made changes to its proposals as a result of responses received from its website, social media and from correspondence. ScotRail will also observe how customers are using the timetable. Mark Ruskell I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. I mean, notwithstanding the national discussions that took place with passenger groups, there was really zero consultation with commuters using the Dumb Lane to Edinburgh services, which led to the withdrawal of the only service that would actually take people to Edinburgh in time for the start of the working day. So what influence can the cabinet secretary bring to the May timetable in light of the public consultation so that it actually serves the needs of commuters? Cabinet secretary, there was an extensive consultation that has been undertaken since 2015 in preparation for the timetable changes in December 2018. That also included an independent assessment of the proposed changes being undertaken by Taktrans in looking at the impact that it would have on passengers and customers using those particular services. As a result, although there were some who were negatively affected by the timetable changes, the vast majority of those would benefit from the timetable change. As ever with any timetable change, there is a weighing up of the pros and cons that go with this. An independent report verified that the choice that was made for the timetable change was one that would benefit a greater number of the travelling public. However, what will happen in going forward is that ScotRail will review the existing timetable as it beds down to consider where there are further changes that can be made, not to try to improve issues where there are matters of concern. However, there will always be a level of restriction and capacity on the network to accommodate all passengers' needs. Further to the cabinet secretary's response, he will be aware of inquiries that I have made to his office regarding the removal of a direct train service between Poment and Stirling on the Dunblane route. He will also be aware that there is a similar issue for commuters in Llanlithgow. Does he agree with me that ScotRail should reconsider those changes that were implemented in December, which are affecting many of my constituents and that consideration should be given to reinstating direct services to Stirling from Poment and Llanlithgow as a matter of priority? As I stated, my earlier response to Mr Ruskell is that there is limited capacity within the network and there is always a balance that needs to be struck in terms of any timetabling arrangements. However, if it is of interest to remember of the 1.2 million journeys that were made from Llanlithgow and Poment last year, those were split. Broadly, 70 per cent were to or from Edinburgh, 20 per cent to or from Glasgow, with 5 per cent to or from Falkirk or Stirling. Given the need to make sure that we try to address issues such as overcrowding and improve connectivity faster journey times and also to deal with the growth that we have on the use of our rail network, there is a need to try to strike a balance and try to get a timetable that meets the widest number of passengers' needs as possible. That is what the intentions were with the timetable change on 9 December. I am aware of the concerns that the members raised as the issues that were raised by Mr Ruskell. Of course, those are matters that will continue to be considered by ScotRail for any future timetable changes within the limitations of what can be achieved within the network. Liam Kerr, to be filled by Jackie Baillie. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The cabinet secretary will know of the timetabling changes that resulted in an up to 30-minute wait at Montrose. Surely, if the Scottish Government cared about North East commuters' views, it would have improved facilities and sought their views before making those changes. Did it seek commuters' views in the north-east, and when will those facilities be improved? Presiding Officer, the member conveniently ignores the fact that we are investing some £300 million in the rail network in the north-east of Scotland to improve connectivity within that particular area. We have also seen a significant increase in number of services that are available now within the north-east of Scotland as well. However, on the point that the member raised, there was a consultation undertaken, as I said, for the timetable change in 2018, which involved a whole range of regional transport partnerships, including those within the north-east of Scotland. As the member will be aware, ScotRail is presently evaluating the improvements that it wants to make to the Montrose station, and at that work is planned to be scheduled and taken forward in due course. As part of the timetable changes my area was promised that there would be six carriage trains, particularly at rush hours, yet in the months since commuters have experienced short-form services with three carriages appearing instead of six and passengers crammed in like sardines. I know that there is no limit on the number of passengers that ScotRail tried to squeeze on their trains, but can the cabinet secretary tell me whether there is anything in the contract with ScotRail about the capacity of the service? Cabinet secretary. Ibsine, remember that we will be aware that we are making significant investment in order to upgrade the rolling stock that we have within the ScotRail franchise, which is resulting in some 70 new Hattachi trains being introduced into the network in order to provide overall a 23 per cent increase in searing capacity across the network. Part of the challenge in some of the routes has been the late delivery and supply of the Hattachi trains and also the refurbished HST at high-speed trains, which are having an impact on the cascade of the rest of the rolling stock across the rest of the network. Once we have all the additional rolling stock in place, that will allow us to make sure that we maximise the use of the rolling stock to address areas where there are, and I recognise that there are areas where there is congestion and overcrowding on some trains, which is unacceptable and is a matter that is addressed within the franchise, but we need to get the additional rolling stock in place in order to address those matters. That will be taken forward in the months ahead when I supply the rest of the trains, which are due to be provided by now. To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed congestion on the M8 between the St James's interchange and Glasgow city centre with Transport Scotland. Transport Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Government that discusses operational matters relating to the Scottish motorway and trunk road network with ministers on a regular basis. The M8 between Paisley and Glasgow is the busiest stretch in the country, and Renfrewshire businesses are warning us that congestion is deterring investment. Last week, all parties voted for an amendment stating that the Glasgow airport access project, which I remind the cabinet secretary, is a tram train project, must be progressed urgently. The SNP scrapped Garrel in 2009. Ten years on, people do not want any more delays, reports, studies or excuses. They just want you to get on with it. When will the SNP deliver the rail link that they voted for last week, and if they won't, will he explain to businesses and people in my region why on earth not? The motorway link at the western M8 is a key link to the airport and also to the rest of the west of Scotland. We are aware of the congestion that has been caused there and need to make sure that that is addressed. That is an issue that will be addressed in STPR2, and I have asked officials to make sure that it is given priority. The member will also be aware that the Glasgow Airport access project team, which is led by Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council, has been reviewing the evidence that was presented to us on the independent audit of the outline business case for the tram train link to Glasgow Airport. They have identified that there are a number of issues that are outstanding with that, which cause real challenges and will be able to deliver such a project. They have now identified that their preferred option is a personal rapid transit service that will be provided. That is a matter that is now the preferred option and will be presented to the Glasgow City regional deal cabinet in the coming weeks to consider in taking forward the outline business case for that proposal. With a degree of optimism, to ask the Scottish Government when work will begin on the Glasgow Airport access project and how it will ensure that it is delivered as outlined in the business case. The Glasgow Airport access project is one of the projects that is identified in the Glasgow City region deal and is being taken forward by Glasgow City and Renfrewshire councils. As such responsibility for the delivery of the project to improve surface access to the airport sits with those councils. The Scottish Government remains committed to working with partners to find solutions to improve surface access to Glasgow Airport. As part of that commitment, I chaired the Glasgow Airport access executive steering group yesterday. At this meeting, the group heard how the project team have considered issues raised in the independent audit of the project's outline business case. I was pleased to hear that Glasgow City region deal has recognised and future rail service issues that would be compromised as a result of their outline business case. As such, they are now seeking to take forward the preferred option that is for a personalised rapid transit option and that outline business case will be developed by the partners. Johann Lamont I cannot tell the cabinet secretary how utterly dismayed I am by the response that he has just given us. He may be pleased that this Parliament, including the minister himself, voted last week for urgent progress on the deal and plan as outlined in the business case. I do not know what he defines as urgent. What he has said now is not urgent, so I can ask the cabinet secretary who is it that is putting a block on a proposal, where the money is there, the plan is agreed by the partners, it is recognised as having social, economic and environmental benefits to Glasgow on the west of Scotland, and it is still not going to happen. Will the cabinet secretary commit himself to act on the position that he voted for last week in the interests of people of Glasgow and the west of Scotland to change the decision and make sure that he goes back to the proposal that was unanimously agreed by the city deal partners? John Swinney We have acted on it, as I mentioned in the meeting yesterday, to set out that it is going to take forward a business case for a PRT system. As the member will be aware, the outline business case had an independent audit of it that carried out, which highlighted a number of very significant issues, in particular constraints at Glasgow Central, and the potential impact that that would have on services to Inverclyde, Ayrshire and also to East Kilbride, all of which would have actually saw a reduction or a detrimental impact on their service. It would have also been preventing the enhancements that we intend to provide to those particular services. Therefore, because those issues could not be addressed through the outline business case, that is why the city deal partners have identified a PRT system as their preferred option, and they now intend to take that forward. Jamie Greene Thanks, Presiding Officer. The first feasibility study for this was done when I was 10 years of age. Passengers numbers are set to double in the next 10 years. The number of people working on site is set to increase to around 40,000. It is simply inconceivable that that can be achieved by relying solely on the M8, which is already heavily congested. Does the cabinet secretary think that the rail link will be built realistically anytime soon? Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Islands Well, Presiding Officer, in terms of the two points that the member raises, one is on the M8, and I recognise the congestion issues that are on the M8 to the west of Glasgow. That is an issue that has to be addressed. That will be taken forward through STPR2, and I have asked that to be a matter that is given priority consideration. I have been interested in knowing the member's views as to whether he would be content with the idea of a tram train link going into Glasgow airport, which would result in our reduction in services to his constituents in Inverclyde, or to constituents in Ayrshire, or to constituents who are in East Kilbride, because of the limited capacity that is at Glasgow central. We have to take a whole-system approach to that in order to address those issues, not to look at them in isolation. That is exactly what we have been doing in working with the partners on improving surface access to Glasgow airport. As has been recognised now, that is why they will now take forward the idea of a PRT as our preferred option in order to improve connectivity at the airport. Stuart McMillan Thank you, Presiding Officer. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that my constituents in the Inverclyde constituency will be shocked and disappointed to hear that the Labour Party is campaigning to have a worse service as a consequence of the Glasgow access rail link? The reality is that there is limited capacity at... Stuart McMillan Okay, order, please. Order. Let's hear the cabinet secretary. There is limited capacity on the line from Paisley Gilmore Street into Central Station, and even with enhancements that would still result in a detriment to services to places such as Inverclyde, Ayrshire and East Kilbride, and potentially also to the Shots line. There is also significant enhancements planned for these particular routes given demand that there is on these existing routes, and that is why the Outland Business Case and the Independent Audit has identified the issues that need to be addressed, and that is why they are now proposing to take through a PRT option, which is one that will improve connectivity to the airport, while at the same time allowing us to increase capacity for these other key areas where there is ever growing demand for reals here.