Fares for Northlink’s ferry services will be capped at their current rate over the winter period, it has been announced.
The Northern Isles services transport people and goods from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland.
An announcement made by Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth, confirmed current fares will be frozen throughout the winter period until the end of March 2023.
Officials say they recognise people are struggling and it is only set to get worse over the coming months and so have taken the decision to cap prices on vital ferry services.
Northlink prices are categorised in low, mid or peak seasons, which corresponds to the demand and capacity on the service.
Low season will run until December 17 and then from January 7 until March 23, while mid season will be from December 18, until December 31.
‘Affordable and accessible’
A low season ticket for an adult will be capped at £23.20, while a mid season ticket will cost £30 for those travelling from Aberdeen to Lerwick.
From Aberdeen to Kirkwall, the price remains at £22.05 for a low season adult ticket and £28.50 for a mid season ticket.
Fares for children, concessions, cars, motorhomes and accommodation will also be frozen at the current rate until the end of March.
Islander fares will remain the same, with Orkney and Shetland residents receiving a 30% discount on travel by ferry.
Ms Gilruth said: “At a time where many people are facing rising costs in all areas of their lives – from heating their homes to the cost of the weekly shop – the Scottish Government is working hard to help them where we can.
“We want our transport system to be affordable and accessible. This is especially important for island residents and communities who rely on our lifeline ferry services, so we are freezing fares on the Northern Isles network until the end of March.
“In the longer term, the Islands Connectivity Plan will include a review of ferry fares, alongside our wider “fair fares” review, to ensure that our fares policy continues to address the needs of island communities.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston welcomed the freeze but says the Scottish Government have not delivered on the road-equivalent tariff for Orkney ferries.
He said: “Publicly we seem to be no further forward, with the transport minister suggesting that any further changes would simply be ‘in due course’.
“Throughout this whole process, Orkney has been treated with indifference by an administration in Edinburgh seemingly unwilling to engage on the situation or take concrete steps to resolve it.”
To find out more about Northlink fares for 2023 click here.
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