Cheaper islands ferry fares scheme set to be permanent after success of trial

A cheaper fares scheme for ferry travel will be made permanent following a trial in the Western Isles.

The Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) sets fares by linking them to the cost of travelling the same distance by road. The Scottish Government said the successful pilot will become standard in the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree.

The scheme will now be tested for passengers and cars, including small commercial vehicles, across Argyll and Clyde islands in stages over the five-year parliamentary session.

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However, the SNP administration was criticised for not including Shetland and Orkney, where the RET scheme will only be “considered” after a review of ferries.

The pilot scheme was found to have increased passenger numbers by 20 per cent and increased car carryings by 31 per cent. The tourist industry was described as a main beneficiary with visitors accounting for 65 per cent of new travel.

Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) leader Angus Campbell said: “The comhairle has long lobbied for RET to be made permanent and to be extended to the inter-island routes. I am delighted that lobbying has now paid off.

“The comhairle has supported an inter-island commercial traffic discount scheme to demonstrate that it was viable and we will now make the case that the proposed 25 per cent discount for such traffic be extended to cover the inter-island routes.”

Tavish Scott, Lib Dem MSP for Shetland, said: “Scotland now has two classes of island. Those who receive preferential bribes, otherwise known as RET, and those who see their services threatened while no extra money is spent on lifeline services.”