Cheaper ferry fares trigger political row
Ferry Online Travel News 02/09/2010
Extension of Scottish government pilot ferry fares scheme has sparked a political battle.
Liberal Democrats have criticized the Scottish government after it extended by a year the scheme under which cheaper fares are available on routes covering the Western Isles and Coll and Tiree. The LibDems say the government is favouring the Western Isles and ignoring the needs of the Northern Isles. On Tuesday, the Scottish government announced that its Road equivalent tariff (RET) scheme would be extended by at least one more year. The RET covers those routes that go to the Western Isles and Coll and Tiree. The government says a decision remains to be made on the long-term viability of the scheme. It added that investment in the Northern Isles routes was considerable.
Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney Liam McArthur called the extension an electoral bribe and called for the resignation of Transport Minister Stewart Steven. LibDem MP for Argyll and Bute Alan Reid accused the government of favouring the Western Isles. Mr Reid said the SNP government was protecting voter support in the Western Isles ahead of elections next year. He said the Scottish National Party feared a critical loss of support on the Western Isles if it cancelled the scheme.
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