The views of business leaders and passengers will be sought as the government seeks to form a new sea services agreement.

Department of Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK yesterday(Monday announced a series of stakeholder workshops.

The move comes following the government’s purchase of the Steam Packet in May.

When approving the deal, Tynwald agreed that a new agreement should be signed within 12 months, to replace the existing user agreement with the Steam Packet, which gives the company exclusive access to the government’s landing stage in Douglas in return for a guaranteed minimum service.

Mr Harmer said: ’Gaining a comprehensive picture of what the island wants and needs from its sea services is crucial in understanding how the new Sea Services Agreement should look.

’Representatives from a broad range of backgrounds will be consulted and their views will be considered as part of the public engagement process.’

The workshops will be used to gather views on ’service patterns, service levels and freight and passenger customer service’ in order to best serve the island’s socio-economic needs.

However, while the DoI says that it is keen to work with ’stakeholders’, the workshops will be open only to those who are invited by the department.

A spokesman for Travelwatch said that the group, which campaigns on transport issues, would be attending one of the workshops and outlined its position on what it sees as key to securing a good agreement.

He added: ’Travelwatch’s two representatives have been allocated a short slot, and to make best use of the limited time have submitted comprehensive notes on relevant matters affecting passengers.

’These include:

â?¢ The priorities for a reliable, frequent, cost-effective customer-focused ferry service, the establishment of an official user body to promote better communications and feedback between customers and the Steam Packet company, not a one-off but a continuing process.

â?¢ A thorough review of passenger and vehicle fares , and terms and conditions of tickets, [including] more transparency re fares: why are standard fares not published in ’Steam Packet Times?’.

â?¢ The future of vessels, fastcraft or faster conventional vessel with better all-weather capability, facilities for passengers (especially foot passengers) at terminals.

â?¢ Better updates on website if disruptions of connecting services, e.g. train services at Heysham, TravelWatch acknowledges the Steam Packet is proactive in notifying booked passengers of sailing disruptions.

â?¢ And the need to get it right with the new Liverpool terminal.