Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) on ferry routes: FOI release

Information requested

1. On what ferry routes in Scotland does Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) now not apply?

2. On which ferry routes run by commercial operators (e.g. not CalMac) does RET apply?

3. Is it intended that the ICP should seek to introduce RET on any existing routes to which it does not currently apply?

4. What are the current formulas for calculating RET on a crossing both for vehicles and for passengers?

5. What will the RET formulas be once fares are increased when summer timetables are introduced later this year?

6. Is the Dunoon Gourock crossing still designated as a 'lifeline service' if not when was this changed and by whom?

7. For the purposes of the ICP and the ICIA will the Cowal Peninsula continue to be treated as an island, if not when was the decision to change this taken and by whom?

Response

1. On what ferry routes in Scotland does Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) now not apply?

The following Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) and Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) routes do not have RET:

• Gourock-Dunoon
• Gourock-Kilcreggan
• Scrabster-Stromness
• Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have all the information you have requested. The Scottish Government is not required to hold a comprehensive list of all commercial and local authority ferry services and the formulas they use to determine their fares, and therefore is unable to provide a list of those outwith the CHFS and NIFS routes listed above.

However, you may wish to contact the four local authorities who run ferry services, The Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council, Orkney Islands Council, and Shetland Islands Council.

In addition, the Scottish Government is aware of two commercial operators who run services in the Gourock-Dunoon and Northern Isles areas, that you may wish to contact: Pentland Ferries and Western Ferries.

2. On which ferry routes run by commercial operators (e.g. not CalMac) does RET apply?

This information is not held. Please see previous answer.

3. Is it intended that the ICP should seek to introduce RET on any existing routes to which it does not currently apply?

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Transport Scotland does not have some of the information you have requested. This is a formal notice under Section 17 of FOISA that we do not hold the information.

We do not hold this information because the draft Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) Strategic Approach is currently being consulted on and final decisions will depend on the responses received through consultation with stakeholders and communities.

4. What are the current formulas for calculating RET on a crossing both for vehicles and for passengers?

The information requested is available from our website. I have included the link: The Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) for passengers and vehicles on ferries: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

5. What will the RET formulas be once fares are increased when summer timetables are introduced later this year?

The formula remains the same however fares will be increased by 8.7% for 2024/25.

6. Is the Dunoon Gourock crossing still designated as a 'lifeline service' if not when was this changed and by whom?

There has been no change to the designated status of this route.

7. For the purposes of the ICP and the ICIA will the Cowal Peninsula continue to be treated as an island, if not when was the decision to change this taken and by whom?

The ICP will replace the Ferries Plan 2013-22 and will consider island connectivity more broadly having regard to aviation, ferries and fixed links, and to connecting and onward travel. The scope of the ICP will extend to those peninsula communities served by Government-supported ferry and air services: Cowal and Rosneath (Gourock-Dunoon/Kilcreggan ferries) and Kintyre (Campbeltown ferry and air services and Tarbert-Portavadie ferry service).

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.