In the Arran Banner, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald and Largs & Millport Weekly News Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP announced that - having frozen ferry fares last year when inflation was running at 9.1% - they will rise next year by 10%.
Opposition MSP Baroness Clark of Kilwinning lambasted this, demanding a “rethink” yet ferry fares to Arran are still LOWER than when the SNP came to office in 2017!
Commenting, Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“In denouncing next year’s ferry fares increase, Baroness Clark seems blissfully unaware that, following the SNP Government’s introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET), backed by £25 million this year alone, ferry fares are much lower now than 17 years ago.
“Originally, the Clyde islands were excluded from RET, however, after I persuaded the SNP Government to include them, fares were slashed, boosting passenger numbers by 40% and the Arran economy.
“In summer 2007, it cost £37.50 to take a car over to Arran on a single journey from Ardrossan to Brodick.
Even with next year’s price rise it will be barely half that - £20.46 - despite cumulative inflation of over 64% sine 2007!
“A passenger next year will pay £5.06, compared to £5.15 in 2007.
“Labour had eight years in control of ferry fares and allowed them to rise year on year, choking our island economies and communities, seriously disadvantaging a hospitality industry which had to compete with the mainland..
“I don’t recall Baroness Clark mentioning the “financial burden” on islanders during the decade she was an MP, nor arguing in favour of RET.
“SNP Government investment in ferry services is £434.5 million this year. Somewhat more than the £89 million in the year the SNP took office from Labour.
“Whilst the current level of service is not acceptable, CalMac, CMAL and Scottish Ministers are working to deliver a more robust, reliable and resilient service.
“Baroness Clark called for “real solutions.” What are they? Do her Labour colleagues at Holyrood share them and how will they be funded?”
ENDS
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