Jersey and Guernsey watchdogs call for regulation of ferries
Ferry Online Travel News 13/09/2010
Competition watchdogs want regulations to protect passengers.
Competition watchdogs are calling for the regulation of Channel Island ferries in order to protect passengers. Jersey and Guernsey regulatory authorities have issued a joint statement responding to a States consultation on ferries. The regulators are calling for the use of new non-exclusive licensing agreements so that other ferry operators can offer services.
Both of the watchdogs are also saying there need to be new laws governing prices, as well as the efficiency of services. At the moment, ferry services from Jersey are controlled via service agreements the States of Guernsey and the States of Jersey, as well as permission to use harbour ramps owned by the States.
The governments’ existing agreements with Condor Ferries, the operator running ferries from the islands to France and the UK, expire in 2013. Guernsey’s Office of Utility Regulation (OUR) and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) have the authority to investigate pricing but not the power to regulate fare prices or services before operators set them.
Currently, Condor Ferries reports its highest fares to the States. The OUR and the JCRA, however, and licence for Condor Ferries should include strong powers to monitor prices, profit levels and quality of service. They say the existing option to revoke operators’ licences should be replaced with the power to levy fines for breaching licence conditions.
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