Shetland Islands Council is launching a new social media campaign, supporting the case for increased investment in the isles’ internal ferry service.
A new Twitter hashtag ‘#MyFerry’ will be used over the coming weeks, with the support of folk from across the isles whose lives and livelihoods depend on the service. Case studies have been prepared, and will be shared with politicians and organisations in support of the campaign.
Steven Coutts is the SIC’s political leader: “We are highlighting how crucial our ferries are to people in our island communities, to live their lives in the best way they can. Our internal ferry services are critical in the support they provide to our economy and we’re hopeful we can persuade the Scottish Government to increase its funding, which we believe is a lifeline for our people as well as an investment for Scotland as a whole.
“What we’re asking for is sufficient funding to preserve the service we have, to upgrade those routes which need it with new vessels and infrastructure, and to take advantage of new technologies to develop our internal links into the future. I’d like to emphasise that this is not about any future fixed links, but about the present challenges being faced by our ferry fleet and the wider Council finances.
“We’re hoping that the hashtag will be shared widely by our community in the weeks ahead so that people all over the country can see the lifeline these ferries offer us, and the economic opportunities they unlock for Scotland.”
Read more on #MyFerry here - https://www.shetland.gov.uk/myferry