Bridge toll discount vouchers set to be abolished

THE discount voucher scheme for the Forth Road Bridge will be axed under plans being considered by transport chiefs.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority, which operates and maintains the bridge, is reviewing the scheme - claiming it contributes to congestion and costs 600,000 in staffing and lost revenue every year.

If scrapped, it would mean daily commuters paying more than 23 a year extra in toll charges.

Anti-toll campaigners and motoring groups today condemned FETA's "scandalous" attempt to increase revenue.

The review comes in response to a consultation by the Scottish Executive into the future of bridge tolls over the Forth.

It follows a bumper month of revenue for FETA after the 20p hike in toll charges from May 1.

Last month, more than 984,000 was collected, 25 per cent more than in the same period last year.

The toll vouchers, which offer a ten per cent discount, can be bought from FETA in advance.

But FETA chiefs are unhappy that the bridge's crumbling road surface needs replacing just nine years into its 25-year lifespan.

The organisation blames the damage on the number of heavy lorries using the route and believes haulage companies should not benefit from discounts for that reason.

They also point out that the discounted toll rate for HGVs is less than the toll paid by buses.

Due to a historical anomaly, buses are currently charged a 1.40 flat rate, while most lorries pay 1.30. Car drivers pay 90p under the reduced rate.

Portobello councillor Lawrence Marshall, who is the front-runner to be the next chairman of FETA, said he supported the abolition of the vouchers.

He added: "It no longer makes sense to give discounts when we are trying to reduce the problem of congestion and encourage the use of car pooling and park-and-ride.

"Instead, we have to look at charges based on the type of vehicle, the number of people inside and the time of crossing."

FETA will consider a proposal to offer discounts to multi-occupant vehicles as an alternative to the current scheme. This toll would be paid electronically or manually without vouchers.

But Tom Minogue, the founder of Fifers Against Toll Increases, condemned the proposal to withdraw the vouchers.

"There should not be any tolls in the first place, but anything that decreases the costs should be maintained."

Mr Minogue also attacked the boost in revenue collected by bridge bosses since the 20p toll increase was introduced.

"This growth in revenue is scandalous and is only brought about by picking on the little person."

Neil Greig, head of policy at the AA, said: "FETA should be encouraging people to use public transport rather than increasing costs for people who may have no alternative but to drive."

Barry Colford, depute general manager of FETA, said: "We currently issue discount vouchers to car users and heavy good vehicle drivers. We are now looking at that to see if that's a policy we should use. Nothing has been firmed up yet. We are looking at putting in place electronic tolling as one possible replacement. The issue will be discussed by FETA members at our next meeting."

FETA wants to reclassify the tolls as road-user charges by 2007 so money can be used for wider transport improvements in the area.