Longitudinal is good for groups too as it is effectively a huge bay.
I do hope they do something imaginative with the exteriors and interiors, rather than corporate modern blandness. I know the primary purpose is local transport but jumping on the quirky little trains straight from the ferry is definitely a marketable product, particularly for families. The odd shaped yellow fronts defo look like penguins/daffy duck so use that for a start! It also makes them more ‘our trains’ for the locals.
The aspiration for 3tph presumably prevents sensible rationalisation, which IMO is a bit silly. That’s only sensible if the ferries go 3ph and I can’t see either ever being necessary.