News / MSP: “Ferry fares must fall”
ORKNEY MSP Liam McArthur has written to the Scottish government asking when northern isles ferry users can expect to see fares fall following the steep drop in oil prices.
In his letter to transport and islands minister Derek Mackay, McArthur has also asked why ministers agreed to fare increases on the lifeline routes when oil prices had halved over the past four months.
“Oil prices have been tumbling for months with the cost of a barrel of crude oil now half what it was back in September,” he said.
“At the same time, Scottish ministers appear to have been happy to agree an increase in ferry fares at the start of the New Year.
“This seems to make little sense and pushes up the cost for all those using our lifeline ferry services.
“For example, I am told that farmers in Orkney are being now being asked to pay more in basic charges as well as in meterage rates. This at a time when many are already having to contend with reductions in single farm payments.
“This is an issue for all ferry users, however, and I have written to Scottish ministers and Serco NorthLink asking when people in Orkney can expect to see fares coming down.
“Under the terms of the contract ministers signed with Serco, the Fuel Management Programme allows for revisions ‘where the price of fuel reduces by 10 per cent or more’.
“Even if there is a time lag to this coming into effect, ministers must accept the case for a reduction”.
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