Have your say on future ferry fares

Drop-in sessions will be held next week to give the public the opportunity to comment on the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce ferry fares on Northern Isles routes.

During a recent visit to Orkney, Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf announced that fares on routes linking Orkney, Shetland and mainland Scotland would be frozen for 2017.

He added: “We have made a key commitment to cut fares on ferry services to the Northern Isles and we continue to work towards that goal.”

Specialist consultants Peter Brett Associates (PBA) have been appointed by Transport Scotland to carry out a public engagement exercise to gather views on what form this reduction in fares should take, and how it should be implemented.

They will be holding a public exhibitions in Kirkwall Town Hall on Tuesday, October 4, and the Warehouse Buildings in Stromness on Wednesday, October 5, covering passenger and car fares, and cabin charges. Commercial vehicles fares are being considered separately.

Various approaches to future fares policy will be shown, and the team will be seeking the public’s views on what would be the most appropriate approach.

You are invited to come along to the drop-in sessions, examine the options, and have an informal discussion with the team at any time between 4.30pm – 8pm. You will also be able to feed into the process by completing a brief questionnaire.