With CalMac fare structures up for examination, the Scottish government insists it hasn’t decided the fate of its popular Road Equivalent Tariff. Islanders and tourists alike are bracing for potential changes, even as ministers vow to rule out options one by one.
Ferry Fares Under the Microscope
The Connectivity Minister, Jim Fairlie, stressed that “no decisions have been made on anything at this stage.” He added that every possibility—from tweaking fares to adjusting fleet resilience—would be considered and then discarded if it didn’t stack up.
Governments need to look at everything, he said.
But what exactly is on the menu? Here’s a quick snapshot of the review’s focus:
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Revenue streams: How to raise more cash without pricing out communities
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Fleet resilience: Can the ferries handle growing demand and unpredictable weather?
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Fairness across routes: Should non-islanders keep the same discounts?
One short sentence here.
Fairlie made it clear that RET isn’t off the table. It’s just one of many options being weighed.
What’s at Stake for Islanders and Visitors
A table tells the story better than any speech:
| Route | Without RET (Foot / Car) | With RET (Foot / Car) |
|---|---|---|
| Stornoway–Ullapool | £25.75 / £128.70 | £12.30 / £66.75 |
| Oban–Tiree | £22.60 / £135.60 | £13.70 / £74.75 |
Those figures explain why RET has been hailed as a lifeline—especially on longer crossings.
Islanders rely on predictable fares to run businesses, visit family, and access essential services. Visitors use the same routes to explore Scotland’s rugged coastlines without breaking the bank.
One-sentence paragraph.
Critics argue that keeping RET for everyone strains the budget. Proponents counter that stripping discounts from non-islanders would kill off much of the region’s tourism, hurting local shops, B&Bs, and the ferry operator itself.
