Progress is being made on introducing an RET pilot scheme on a ferry route or routes connecting mainland Scotland and the Western Isles.

At a meeting involving interested parties, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HITRANS and senior Scottish Government civil servants, various issues surrounding the introduction of such a scheme were discussed.

Chairman of Transportation on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Donald Manford, said “This was a very valuable meeting and I am pleased that good progress is being made towards introducing RET.  A lot of work has been done and a lot remains to be done, particularly in terms of gathering business opinion in the Western Isles. However, it is intended that the study into the pilot project will be completed by the end of the year, paving the way for a possible start by next summer. The scheme is on course and that’s good news for the Western Isles”.