A delayed move to increase discounted ferry fares for holders of an SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) Travel Ferry Card will come into effect in April.
The fare hike – or cut in subsidy – was originally mooted for April 2021 but funds have been found to freeze the fares until next year.
Travel Cards are available for people resident in a qualifying area over the age of 60.
Both Bute and Cowal residents are eligible and fares on both CalMac services and Western Ferries for cardholders are currently £1 single and £1.40 return.
From April this will rise to as much as £2.50 single and £4 return.
Some 12 councils in the former Strathclyde Region pay into a fund which allows a range of discounted travel options, including ferry fares in coastal areas. The fund is called the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme (SCTS).
The fund is administered by SPT’s Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee, which met on September 20 to discuss the fares.
A joint committee spokesperson told this newspaper: “At the joint committee meeting on September 20, members approved that the new concessionary fare structure be introduced from April 2025.
“The implementation will be in line with proposals previously approved in March 2021 following a review considering the financial stability and longevity of the scheme. The issue has been considered each year since then but a further deferral is no longer possible.
“SCTS will move to a new half fare structure with cap.
“The introduction of a fare cap was identified to be the most equitable solution to mitigate against otherwise expensive trips for ferry users and people living in certain mainland rural areas. This means from April 2025, fares on ferry routes will be capped at £2.50 single and £4 return.
“The new fares structure is deemed necessary in order to reduce financial pressures and safeguard the scheme in the longer term.
“To provide context, we anticipate a draw on SCTS funding reserves of £0.836M by the end of this current financial year 2024/2025. Without intervention, and at this level of drawdown over a sustained period, the future of the scheme would be at risk.”
Both CalMac and Western Ferries have meetings arranged with SPT before the final level of concessionary fare can be confirmed, but both are expected to go with the capped rate of £2.50 single and £4 return.
The committee also agreed to explore abolishing its ferry card, and incorporating ferry entitlement into the Saltire Card – a move that would be welcomed by many.
