Isles of Scilly Transport - Inter-Island Commuter Passenger Boat Services

What the buyer says

The Council of the Isles of Scilly is seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and appropriately licensed passenger boat operator to provide a reliable Inter-Island Commuter Passenger Boat Service connecting St Martin's and St Agnes with St Mary's. The service provides an essential lifeline between the islands and is required to support a range of Council-facilitated and concessionary travel requirements, particularly during the winter period when the frequency and availability of normal commercial inter-island services is reduced. The journeys supported through the service principally provide for: • Early Years transport; • Home-to-School Transport; • Children and Young People (C&YP) travel, principally to enable participation in clubs and organised activities; • Adult Social Care travel; • Discretionary Concessionary Fares supported by the Council; and • Employment-related travel, particularly for teachers and school support staff where inter-island transport is necessary to enable attendance at work. The service also provides broader community connectivity, enabling residents to access essential services and facilities on St Mary's. Other passenger journeys outside the Council-supported service requirements may continue to be provided by operators on a commercial basis. The Department for Transport (DfT) has provided short-term emergency funding to support the service during the 2026/27 winter period. This funding is intended to provide an interim solution for this winter only while the Council considers the longer-term requirements for sustainable inter-island connectivity. The Contract(s) will therefore also provide an important opportunity for the Council to gather information on passenger demand, journey patterns, service reliability, operating costs and service…