MSPs call on new transport secretary to make RET announcement

An announcement on Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) should be the first item on new transport secretary Michael Matheson’s priority list, says Orkney MSP Liam McArthur.

This call was backed by Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, who slammed the ongoing delays, saying that the roll-out of cheaper ferry fares had been “beset with problems”.

The Scottish Government pledged to deliver RET to the Northern Isles during the first half of 2018, however there is still no formal start date.

Former justice secretary Mr Matheson was announced as the new transport secretary on Tuesday, taking over from Humza Yousaf in a cabinet reshuffle at Holyrood.

Mr McArthur said on Mr Matheson’s appointment: “In taking on the transport brief, of course, he faces an in-tray that is large and growing. His first order of priority, however, must be the unfinished business of implementing cheaper ferry fares on ferry routes serving Orkney and Shetland.

“Having already waited a decade since the government first introduced RET on west coast routes, people in the Northern Isles should not have to wait any longer.

“The First Minister promised RET in the first half of 2018. That means Michael Matheson must deliver before parliament rises for the summer recess at the end of this week.”

Mr Halcro Johnston says that the Northern Isles have been left in limbo by the RET uncertainties, adding that he has written to Mr Matheson in a bid to see the RET commitment delivered.

He said: “The new transport secretary has just days to implement RET for ferry fares to Orkney and Shetland, in line with commitment made by his predecessor and after years of promises from the SNP.

“The constant delays we have seen regarding RET have caused real uncertainty in the Northern Isles and have left residents and visitors unable to plan journeys knowing what the eventual costs will be.”