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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Lower ferry fares to be piloted | Lower ferry fares to be piloted |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Low-cost ferry fares to and from the Western Isles are to be piloted as part of a government study. | Low-cost ferry fares to and from the Western Isles are to be piloted as part of a government study. |
| Finance Secretary John Swinney announced the first phase towards delivering "road equivalent tariffs" (RET) during a visit to Lewis. | Finance Secretary John Swinney announced the first phase towards delivering "road equivalent tariffs" (RET) during a visit to Lewis. |
| RET bases the cost of travelling on the equivalent distance by road. | RET bases the cost of travelling on the equivalent distance by road. |
| The SNP made lowering the cost of trips to the isles, which have been seen as a barrier to economic growth, a key commitment in its election manifesto. | The SNP made lowering the cost of trips to the isles, which have been seen as a barrier to economic growth, a key commitment in its election manifesto. |
| This approach would not just benefit islanders by providing cheaper fares but could also boost island economies by attracting tourists and supporting businesses John SwinneyFinance Secretary class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6944195.stm">A ferry user's view | |
| Mr Swinney said the study would look at how RET could be tested on a route, or routes, to the isles. | Mr Swinney said the study would look at how RET could be tested on a route, or routes, to the isles. |
| He said: "I believe that the way forward is to consider the benefits of introducing a road equivalent tariff (RET) approach to setting fares in Scotland. | He said: "I believe that the way forward is to consider the benefits of introducing a road equivalent tariff (RET) approach to setting fares in Scotland. |
| "This approach would not just benefit islanders by providing cheaper fares but could also boost island economies by attracting tourists and supporting businesses." | "This approach would not just benefit islanders by providing cheaper fares but could also boost island economies by attracting tourists and supporting businesses." |
| Transport body Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership in Scotland (Hitrans) has previously estimated that 700 jobs and £22m a year could be generated by reducing ferry fares to the Western Isles by 30%. | Transport body Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership in Scotland (Hitrans) has previously estimated that 700 jobs and £22m a year could be generated by reducing ferry fares to the Western Isles by 30%. |
| In May last year, the previous Scottish Executive introduced cheaper air fares for people living in parts of the Highlands and Islands. | In May last year, the previous Scottish Executive introduced cheaper air fares for people living in parts of the Highlands and Islands. |
| The 40% discount scheme, costing an estimated £11m a year, applies to trips to Scotland's main airports. | The 40% discount scheme, costing an estimated £11m a year, applies to trips to Scotland's main airports. |
| FARES FACTFILE The scheme could slash the cost of a return ticket between Ullapool and Stornoway from £200 to £30The first phase of the study will review approaches to fare setting for public service ferries in other countries, including the RET approachThe study will run this year and a pilot scheme is expected to be launched early next year | FARES FACTFILE The scheme could slash the cost of a return ticket between Ullapool and Stornoway from £200 to £30The first phase of the study will review approaches to fare setting for public service ferries in other countries, including the RET approachThe study will run this year and a pilot scheme is expected to be launched early next year |
| Discounts are available to passengers living in the Northern and Western Isles and those in Islay, Jura and Caithness. | Discounts are available to passengers living in the Northern and Western Isles and those in Islay, Jura and Caithness. |
| Alf Baird, a professor of maritime transport, said cheaper travel by sea was welcome but added there should be a move away from state-owned services. | Alf Baird, a professor of maritime transport, said cheaper travel by sea was welcome but added there should be a move away from state-owned services. |
| Mr Baird, of Napier University's Transport Research Institute, lives on Orkney. | Mr Baird, of Napier University's Transport Research Institute, lives on Orkney. |
| he said that compared to road and rail users, ferry travellers were being "penalised" by the fares they were having to pay. | he said that compared to road and rail users, ferry travellers were being "penalised" by the fares they were having to pay. |
| He said: "There are also other issues - ferry users are looking for frequency, faster ferries and later services. | He said: "There are also other issues - ferry users are looking for frequency, faster ferries and later services. |
| "The government needs to remember ferry services within the islands. Here in Orkney, it is quite a big expense for people on Hoy and Flotta to travel to Kirkwall for work." | "The government needs to remember ferry services within the islands. Here in Orkney, it is quite a big expense for people on Hoy and Flotta to travel to Kirkwall for work." |
| Mr Baird added that ferry services should be taken under the wing of government agency Transport Scotland. | Mr Baird added that ferry services should be taken under the wing of government agency Transport Scotland. |
| He said: "Transport Scotland is responsible for roadways and railways and has a budget in excess of £2bn. That agency should also be responsible for maritime transport." | He said: "Transport Scotland is responsible for roadways and railways and has a budget in excess of £2bn. That agency should also be responsible for maritime transport." |