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RET ferry fares to be rolled out to 14 routes in 2015 | RET ferry fares to be rolled out to 14 routes in 2015 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A scheme offering lower cost ferry fares will be rolled out to all remaining ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides network in October 2015. | A scheme offering lower cost ferry fares will be rolled out to all remaining ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides network in October 2015. |
Road equivalent tariff (RET) was first introduced on Western Isles, Coll and Tiree services in 2008. | Road equivalent tariff (RET) was first introduced on Western Isles, Coll and Tiree services in 2008. |
It was expanded to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in 2012 and will be introduced for Arran this autumn. | It was expanded to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in 2012 and will be introduced for Arran this autumn. |
Transport Minister Keith Brown said the roll out would involve a further 14 ferry routes. | Transport Minister Keith Brown said the roll out would involve a further 14 ferry routes. |
They include services to Barra, Mull, Eigg, Skye, Raasay, Cumbrae, Muck and Rum. | They include services to Barra, Mull, Eigg, Skye, Raasay, Cumbrae, Muck and Rum. |
RET, which links ferry fares to the cost of travelling an equivalent distance on land, covers fares for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches. | RET, which links ferry fares to the cost of travelling an equivalent distance on land, covers fares for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches. |
The scheme has drawn criticism from some areas. | |
Operators of heavy goods lorries were angered by the withdrawal of their road equivalent tariff discounts in 2012. The government later provided funding to lessen the impact of the move. | |
Northern Isles' politicians have also been calling for RET to be applied to routes serving Orkney and Shetland. | |
The Scottish government said next year's extension of the scheme was a key commitment made in the Ferries Plan, which was published in December 2012. | The Scottish government said next year's extension of the scheme was a key commitment made in the Ferries Plan, which was published in December 2012. |
Mr Brown said: "We promised to extend RET to the remaining west coast and Clyde islands within the term of this parliament, so I'm delighted to announce it will go ahead in October 2015. | Mr Brown said: "We promised to extend RET to the remaining west coast and Clyde islands within the term of this parliament, so I'm delighted to announce it will go ahead in October 2015. |
"We have already seen the positive impact of RET on other ferry routes around Scotland. This further roll out is expected to bring similar economic and tourism benefits." | "We have already seen the positive impact of RET on other ferry routes around Scotland. This further roll out is expected to bring similar economic and tourism benefits." |
He added: "While the fares for the 2015/16 winter timetable have still to be set, announcing this date now will allow local businesses to plan ahead for the introduction of the RET pilot. | He added: "While the fares for the 2015/16 winter timetable have still to be set, announcing this date now will allow local businesses to plan ahead for the introduction of the RET pilot. |
"We would expect a reduction in fares to lead to an increase in demand on these services, particularly during the summer timetable." | "We would expect a reduction in fares to lead to an increase in demand on these services, particularly during the summer timetable." |
Orkney Liberal Democrat MSP, Liam McArthur, said the exclusion of the Northern Isles from RET was "politically motivated". | |
He said: "Reducing the cost of getting to and from our islands can deliver enormous economic and social benefits to these communities. | |
"That is why it should be a key commitment for any government. However it must be done on the basis of fairness to all. | |
"Spending millions of pounds of public money targeting a scheme at some islands but not others will strike most people as unfair and unacceptable." | |
The routes to be added in October 2015 will be: | The routes to be added in October 2015 will be: |