‘Unintended consequences’ of RET have delayed delivery, says First Minister

Following questions by Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur, the First Minister said that there are “complications” involved in the delivery of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) and its “unintended consequences.”

At First Minister’s Questions, Mr McArthur, asked Nicola Sturgeon when the Scottish Government will “finally deliver” Road Equivalent Tariff on Pentland Firth routes.

Mr McArthur reminded the First Minister that RET was delivered on West Coast routes 14 years ago and promised on Pentland Firth routes just under 4 years ago.

In response, Nicola Sturgeon said: “We’ve taken a range of actions as Liam McArthur I know is aware of to ensure that ferry fares are more affordable and ferry travel is more accessible and more convenient and easier for his constituents. Road Equivalent Tariff is obviously something that has been debated and looked at and considered. There are complications, as he will be aware, in terms of some of the unintended consequences of what Road Equivalent Tariff would deliver.”

The First Minister said she would ask the Transport Minister to write to Mr McArthur with an update.

In September, the Transport Minister responded to a written parliamentary question by saying the Scottish Government had resumed work on delivery of RET after being paused during the pandemic and offered to “provide updates to stakeholders and Parliament as soon as it is possible to do so.”

Speaking after the exchange, Mr McArthur said:

“As we approach the end of another year with still no sign of RET on Pentland Firth routes, the patience of islanders has been exhausted.

“The response from the First Minister today suggests there is little urgency within her government to deliver on this long overdue promise. To make matters worse, Ministers seem to have decided not to bother even inventing new excuses for this failure.

“This is frankly insulting and cannot continue. 2022 needs to see the Scottish Government finally get its act together and introduce cheaper fares on these lifeline Pentland Firth routes.”