Nicola Sturgeon has said a re-elected SNP government would slash fares for ferries to the northern isles.
The SNP leader has pledged to explore how ferry prices could be lowered to ensure they “do not inhibit economic growth or people’s ability to travel”.
The first minister said her party would look at introducing a variant of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) – meaning the price of a single journey is based upon the cost incurred for driving the equivalent distance.
The RET is already in place for the western isles – slashing fares by up to 50% – and the failure to roll out the policy for the northern isles led to a backlash from then Shetland MSP Tavish Scott.
Last night, the Scottish Liberal Democrat’s Orkney candidate Liam McArthur branded the SNP’s move a “cynical election ploy”.
Speaking after her two-day visit to Orkney and Shetland, Ms Sturgeon said: “I am determined to ensure all our islands feel the benefits of an SNP government and have our full support to reach their economic potential.
“Transport is such a key issue for island residents and ensuring ferry fares do not inhibit economic growth or people’s ability to travel is crucial. That’s why we have frozen ferry fares this year.
“A re-elected SNP government will begin work immediately to look at how we can reduce fares for the northern isles and provide greater support to businesses and residents in Shetland and Orkney.”
Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay, added: “With our commitment to fair ferry fares, we are actively looking at a variant of RET that works for the northern isles — with a view to bringing down the cost for passengers.
“And we won’t lose time in moving forward with these plans – an SNP government will undertake this work within months if people vote for us to serve a historic third term.”
But Mr McArthur said Ms Sturgeon’s commitment was “vague”.
He said: “The SNP have had nine years to address unfair ferry fares for the northern isles, but instead they have acted as an obstacle to any real action.
“Now, weeks before an election, they expect people to believe that they are starting to take this seriously.
“I think people in Orkney will come to their own conclusion about what this is.
“A cynical election ploy at the last minute does not make up for nine years of excuses.
“People will believe the SNP on ferry fares when we see real action to cut prices for the northern isles, not a vague commitment to explore options.”
Other candidates for the election in Orkney include the SNP’s Donna Heddle, the Conservative’s Jamie Johnston, Labour’s Gerry McGarvey and Independent Paul Dawson.
In Shetland, the candidates are Labour’s Robina Barton, the SNP’s Danus Skene, the Conservative’s Cameron Smith and the Liberal Democrat’s Mr Scott.
