Popularity of Western Isles ferries on the rise
Ferry Online Travel News 06/08/2009
A pilot programme offering lower fares is credited with boosting traffic on the routes.
In October of last year, the Scottish government launch a trial scheme called the “Road Equivalent Tariff” (RET), in which ferry ticket prices were based on what it would cost to travel the equivalent distance by road.
Alex Salmond, the first minister, has said that since the inception of the scheme, travel by businesses, tourists and family and friends to the Western Isles had increased significantly.
On the Oban-Castlebay/Lochboisedale route, 26 per cent more cars and 19 per cent more passengers travelled on the route in the period since last October than in the same period during the previous year. In addition, on the Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy route, the increase has been 25 per cent in the number of cars and 16 per cent in the number of passengers.
The Ullapool-Stornoway ferry route has also experienced increases - 24 per cent in the number of cars and 13 per cent in passenger numbers.
Salmond noted, as the Cabinet met in Stornoway: “These positive, early signs, particularly the economic benefits, will continue to be closely monitored through our study of the pilot so we can fully evaluate the impacts of RET.”
He added: “I can give all Scottish islanders the assurance that we remain absolutely committed to ensuring the necessary transport links at affordable prices.”
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