Cheaper ferry fares scheme is extended 31/8/10
The cheap ferry fares scheme for the Western Isles will continue for at least another year, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
The RET initiative was due to run until April 2011 but Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has agreed to extend it to Spring 2012.
The extension past next year’s Scottish Parliament’s elections was widely expected. It will be seen as a bribe for SNP votes by other island communities in the Inner Hebrides and Northern Isles who have been left out of the scheme.
The initiative works by reducing the price of ferry tickets to the nearer the cost of travelling the same distance by car. The Western Isles were chosen to host a pilot project which has resulted in a 40% boost in tourist in many locations. The down side is that islanders often cannot travel on the lifeline ships to the mainland because visitors have booked up all available space.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: “The emerging evidence of increased traffic earlier this year is welcome, particularly in this challenging economic climate. We want to do all we can to protect and support our remote and fragile island communities.
“By continuing this scheme for a further year, we can continue to examine ways of delivering a longer term fairer, cheaper system for every ferry user.”
While the scheme has been generally successful for the islands’ economy its future after 2012 is subject to the requirement to make deep cuts in public spending.
Today’s announcement will infuriate people in Shetland where the Scottish Government-