Written Question · S5W-25821 · Session 5
What its plans are for fares reductions for (a) passengers and (b) non-commercial vehicles on the (i) Scrabster-Stromness and (ii) Aberdeen…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for fares reductions for (a) passengers and (b) non-commercial vehicles on the (i) Scrabster-Stromness and (ii) Aberdeen-Kirkwall route over the life of the 2019-27 contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services.
The answer
The 2016 SNP manifesto committed to taking action to reduce ferry fares to Orkney and Shetland. Despite positive engagement, a State aid complaint was made to the European Commission by Pentland Ferries on 8 June 2018 regarding our plans to reduce fares. At this time, we have therefore been unable to implement our preferred ferry fares policy of Road Equivalent Tariff on Northern Isles ferry services so far.
The Scottish Government is engaging directly with the European Commission on the complaints that have been lodged and we look forward, through that work, to establishing an agreed mechanism for delivering RET for Orkney and Shetland.
In the meantime, islanders travelling on Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick routes will receive a 20% reduction on cabin fares and a three-year freeze on passenger, non-commercial vehicle and cabin fares, coming into effect on 1 January 2020. This package of measures builds on the 30% discount for passenger and vehicle fares already enjoyed by islanders on routes to Shetland.
We are unfortunately not able to consider making any reductions to Pentland Firth fares at this time, until the State aid complaint is resolved. However Ministers remain committed to pursuing all avenues to deliver RET for Orkney and Shetland as soon as possible and to working in a collaborative manner with private operators to deliver the policy.
The Scottish Government is engaging directly with the European Commission on the complaints that have been lodged and we look forward, through that work, to establishing an agreed mechanism for delivering RET for Orkney and Shetland.
In the meantime, islanders travelling on Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick routes will receive a 20% reduction on cabin fares and a three-year freeze on passenger, non-commercial vehicle and cabin fares, coming into effect on 1 January 2020. This package of measures builds on the 30% discount for passenger and vehicle fares already enjoyed by islanders on routes to Shetland.
We are unfortunately not able to consider making any reductions to Pentland Firth fares at this time, until the State aid complaint is resolved. However Ministers remain committed to pursuing all avenues to deliver RET for Orkney and Shetland as soon as possible and to working in a collaborative manner with private operators to deliver the policy.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-25821 by reference.