The SNP government have announced that they will increase ferry fares to the Northern Isles by 6.5% next year.

Tavish Scott MSPThis announcement comes in the same week that the SNP guarnteed to keep fares low for the Western Isle and the Clyde Islands.

Commenting, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said:

“The Scottish Government boast that they have cut fares for the Scottish west coast while hammering the North Isles with a massive hike. This 6.5% nationalist fare rise is way above inflation and will hit every part of the local economy as all Shetland’s goods and services depend on the north boats.

“I am bitterly disappointed that after the disgrace of the Nationalist Government’s RET decision they have heaped insult on injury and walloped local people and businesses not once, but twice in one week. Shetlanders are now subsiding ferry routes in other parts of Scotland. That is an unfair ferry policy and must change.”

Liam McArthur MSPOrkney MSP Liam McArthur has responded angrily to the announcement:

“Earlier this week, SNP Ministers boasted that all of Scotland’s islands would benefit from their cheap ferry fare scheme, with the exception of Orkney and Shetland. Now we hear that Ministers want to hit us with an above inflation hike of 6.5% on the cost of accessing our lifeline ferry services.

“The suspicion must be that this cash grab by the Scottish government is needed, in part, to help fund the roll out of Road Equivalent Tariff on the west coast. If so, it is an outrageous decision that will leave people in Orkney wondering how much more salt Ministers intend packing into the wound.

“Such a divisive and partisan approach to ferry policy must now end. Where fare rises are necessary to keep services operating effectively, they must be fair, proportionate and transparent. Sadly, this decision fails all three tests”.