Senior Steam Packet personnel to give evidence

The chief executive of the Steam Packet will be under scrutiny today, over his company’s fares and services, and its compliance with the User Agreement.

Mark Woodward is due to give evidence to the Tynwald Select Committee which is investigating aspects of the ferry operator.

Steam Packet chairman Robert Quayle is also among those who will answer questions, at the Millennium Room of the Legislative Buildings in Douglas, from 11am.

The committee is continuing to examine the Steam Packet’s profitability and fuel surcharges after it was announced in February that the Select Committee's initial report contained inaccuracies.

Yesterday, the company reduced the fuel surcharge from £5 to £3.50 per passenger, each way.

At the same time, the freight surcharge went down from £5 per metre to £4.47.

The User Agreement lays down guidelines on how many passenger and freight crossings the Steam Packet should provide, in return for exclusive use of the government's linkspan.