Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has warmly welcomed the introduction of a Road Equivalent Tariff pilot scheme on all Western Isles mainland ferry routes, announced today by the Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson.

Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Alex MacDonald, said: “This is very good news and will be of benefit to everyone in the Western Isles and those travelling to the Islands. This scheme will be a boost for tourism, for business in the islands and for the travelling public. I am confident that this scheme will be successful and prove to be a model which can be rolled out across the rest of the network of ferry routes and I am pleased that Coll and Tiree have been included in the pilot scheme”.

Chairman of Transportation, Cllr Donald Manford, said: “This is certainly to be welcomed and I would like to thank the Scottish Government and in particular the Transport Minister for bringing this forward. The Comhairle has campaigned for R.E.T. for a long time and it is gratifying that our case has been recognised. It is particularly pleasing that all routes are to be included in the scheme. I welcome the Minister’s commitment that any issues arising from the detail of the pilot will be looked at and I welcome the opportunity to take matters forward over the next few days”.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk