Transport Danger: Pod Lounges Unsafe, Cabins in Short Supply

Concerns regarding the Northern Isles ferry service have been highlighted in a recent survey. Key issues include inadequate capacity, unsafe pod lounges, noisy cabins, and concerns over pricing structures. Transport Scotland published two reports based on feedback from a consultation concerning the upcoming Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS4) contract.

Survey Insights on Ferry Service

The consultation ran until October 20, 2025, and garnered over 1,100 responses, along with 300 comments from public sessions held in Shetland and Orkney. The current ferry service, operated by Serco NorthLink, is set for renewal in June 2028. The survey highlighted that 67% of respondents were from Shetland.

Capacity Issues

• Respondents expressed major concern over limited capacity for both cabins and vehicles.
• Many overdue requests were made for a quota of cabins to be reserved for island residents, especially during peak seasons.
• A majority called for increased ferry capacity and more frequent sailings.

Pod Lounges Under Fire

The pod lounges aboard the ferries received significant criticism. Many respondents deemed them uncomfortable and unfit for purpose. Several issues were raised about the layout, limited privacy, and insufficient safety for female passengers.

• Survey respondents reported feeling unsafe in mixed-gender pod lounges.
• Noise disturbances from fellow passengers and inadequate climate control were also mentioned.

Cabin Concerns

While there were some positive remarks about cabin quality, numerous respondents pointed out that cabins felt small and dated. Many requested more power points and improved Wi-Fi access. The noise from the car deck and disruptive behavior from other passengers also raised alarms.

Changes to Pricing Structure

The current pricing system was viewed as problematic by many users. Inside 4-berth cabins being priced lower than outside 2-berth options added to complaints about availability prioritization favoring tourists over island residents.

• 71% of respondents supported dynamic pricing models for visitors to enhance access for islanders.
• 60% expressed interest in a cancellation fee to optimize available bookings.

Official Response

Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie acknowledged public feedback during the consultation. He emphasized that this data will guide service improvements in the next ferry contract. Changes already being implemented include removal of peak fares for Orkney and Shetland residents.

This ongoing dialogue emphasizes the need for the ferry services to meet the expectations of island communities while ensuring their voices are at the forefront of future developments.