Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has announced extra financial help for all hauliers and businesses using ferry routes to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree.
He pledged that no haulier will see fares rises of more than 50% in any year and the scheme aims to ensure the discounts are not given to the tiny handful of biggest lorry firms.
But lorry firms face a review of the “costs faced by hauliers and the impact on the local economy” in an apparent effort to check if the discounts are being passed on to shops.
Today’s announcement will provide an extra £2.5 million this year to support new transitional arrangements for all commercial vehicles, regardless of size, using these routes.
No haulier will see fares rises of more than 50% in any year and the scheme aims to ensure the discounts are not given to the tiny handful of biggest lorry firms.
The Scottish Government has promised to work closely alongside hauliers and communities
to lobby Westminster and other organisations on issues outside its control. It will
work with key stakeholders and hauliers on a six month study to consider the broader
socio-
This is in addition to extra help announced last week for all vehicles up to six metres qualifying for RET with potential savings of up to 50%. This represents investment of some £5.3m next year, and follows the recent decision to roll out Road Equivalent Tariff to all CalMac routes in Scotland for cars and passengers.
Mr Brown said: “We are determined to support our island and remote communities and underlined this last week with new arrangements for small commercial vehicles qualifying for RET on routes to Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. That announcement means all vehicles up to six metres in length will qualify for RET from April this year on those CalMac services, giving potential savings of up to 50%.
“Today we are providing more evidence of our commitment in support of those communities and all hauliers serving those communities. We are investing £2.5m on these transitional arrangements for larger commercial vehicles next year. This will ensure all hauliers, regardless of size, have access to the same support and that no fare will rise by more than 50% in any year over the transitional period.
“I had a constructive meeting with hauliers last week and one particular concern raised was that previous discount schemes had benefitted some hauliers more than others. By capping the rises all hauliers on any given route will pay the same. Before RET was introduced some large hauliers were able to claim rebates of a maximum of just 15% on their fares. We believe this new transitional arrangement will better support all hauliers with significant discounts available.
“While the meeting also recognised the budget pressures on the Scottish Government
it was clear we must also recognise the external factors impacting on hauliers’ day
to day business -
“Building on previous monitoring and evaluation of the RET pilot, we have agreed
to work with key stakeholders and hauliers on a six month study which will look in
detail at the broader socio-
“Our ambition is to see greater connectivity right across the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, and our pilot has shown the scheme to have had a very positive impact on local economies, boosting the local tourist trade. We want to ensure that continues and for RET to be a permanent feature for passengers and cars on the current routes, while extending to include new routes across the West of Scotland.
Mr Brown added: “When we announced the roll out of RET, we pledged to listen, discuss
and agree with hauliers a more flexible approach in the application of a transitional
arrangement. We believe this arrangement is a more affordable and equitable approach
which will help reduce the impact on affected hauliers and businesses, without compromising
on the substantial benefits island communities right across the west of Scotland
will accrue through an extended RET.”
Government will pay half the “haulage tax” 13/2/12