Scott slams Ministers for above inflation ferry fares increases

11.23.13am GMT Mon 22nd Dec 2008

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Tavish Scott has slammed the Scottish Government for above inflation fare increases on ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.

Mr Scott is arguing that the Northern Isles are subsidising the Western Isles, where ferry fares have been frozen.

Mr Scott has discovered that Ministers overturned their officials’ recommendation for a Consumer Price Index, (CPI) increase on NorthLink Ferries’ fares. Ministers insisted that an extra 0.5% should be added to allow for the increased cost of fuel for the ferries. Ferry fares on most of the Calmac services on the west coast have risen as well. But the fares on their services to the Western Isles, which are already reduced by the Road Equivalent Tariff, (RET), pilot, are not to rise at all, having been frozen until 2010.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

“NorthLink’s services to Shetland and Orkney are vital lifeline services. Any increases in fares hits islanders and island residents hard. Inflation linked increases, tied to the CPI, have to be accepted, but for Ministers to add an extra 0.5% on top is not acceptable. Even if the price of oil was still high, it would not be acceptable, but for it to be left after oil prices tumble, is a scandal.

“While the Northern Isles face above inflation ferry fare increases, the Western Isles see no increase at all to their fares which have already been slashed by the targeted RET pilot. Islanders in the Northern Isles, and also in the Argyll islands excluded from the RET pilot, will feel that they are subsidising the Western Isles.

“SNP Ministers presumably hope that their special treatment of the Western Isles will help them to hang onto their parliamentary seats there. But islanders on Scotland’s other islands will not forget this when they pay above inflation fare increases next year nor when they vote.”