Issue - meetings

Allan Comrie, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) advised that a report on the increase in concessionary fares would be considered at the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee meeting on 18 March 2022.  He advised that there was a commitment by the Scottish Government to look at all fares and that they were currently undertaking two studies.  He advised that the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland would be replacing the current Ferries Plan with an Islands Connectivity Plan and were currently looking at RET (Roads Equivalent Tariff) and how it was working.  He advised that given the unknowns, a half price fare would be instigated on 4 April 2022 which was a considerable increase to concessionary fares.  He advised that a £4 price cap would be applied , which was still a significant reduction on the £10.20 fare but was a significant increase from the fare that was currently charged.  He told the Forum that the Dunoon to Gourock ferry was currently the busiest route and therefore had the greatest drawdown of funds.

The Forum expressed their disappointment in this and sought confirmation that there would be ongoing publicity and advertising to ensure that all passengers would be aware of this before it came into operation in April 2022.  They also requested that it be made clear that it was not the ferry operator’s decision but that of the Joint Committee. The Chair advised that he would write to the Scottish Government highlighting that the Dunoon Gourock / Gourock Kilcreggan routes did not benefit from the current RET scheme.  Mr Comrie advised that the Council would also have the opportunity to comment on the consultations.

Outcome

The Forum –

1.    Noted the update.

2.      Noted that the Chair would write to Scottish Government highlighting that the Dunoon Gourock / Gourock Kilcreggan routes did not benefit from the current RET scheme.

The Forum noted an update from Councillor Dr Martin Bartos, Chair of Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee (SCTSJC) in relation to the Concessionary Travel Scheme and Gourock-Dunoon ferry fares.

Allan Comrie, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), updated the Forum on how the issues raised in August’s meeting had been referred to the SCTSJC and they are acutely aware there is a potential discrepancy in the treatment betweenRoad Equivalent Tariff routes and other routes. Mr Comrie advised that the SPT will review this over the next two months and report back to SCTSJC early next year.

Outcome

The Forum noted the updates.