How it will ensure that vehicle ferry prices across the Firth of Clyde are not at a level detrimental to the Cowal economy.

Western Ferries, who provide a vehicle ferry service between McInroy’s Point (Gourock) and Hunter’s Quay (Dunoon), operate an unsubsidised, commercial service and therefore the Scottish Government has no current role in regulating their fares. Existing competition legislation, which is currently a reserved matter, exists to protect users from any potential abuse of a monopoly market position. Western Ferries have been the sole provider of vehicle ferry services between Gourock and the Cowal peninsula since 30 June 2011. During that time, the company has increased its fares broadly in line with inflation. Western Ferries recently announced that its fares increases for 2013-14 are again in line with the general level of inflation.
It is the stated preference of the Scottish Ministers that the ferry service on the route between Gourock railway station and Dunoon town centre should carry both vehicles and passengers. Under the rules set for this route by the European Commission in its 2009 Decision on State aid for Scottish ferry services, any public subsidy can only be paid in respect of passengers. It would therefore be for the operator of a vehicle ferry service on this route to determine the fares to be charged.