June Allison says

Private operator Western Ferries has vowed to continue a free travel scheme in the west of Scotland, despite a cut in subsidy.

Travellers on the Dunoon/Gourock route had been entitled to free passage under Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's Cowal Ferry Card scheme.

SPT said it needed to charge 60p for a single and £1 for return tickets from April, to keep the scheme sustainable.

However, Western Ferries said it had decided not to charge the new fares.

Western Ferries managing director Gordon Ross said: "It is regrettable but totally understandable, given the current economic conditions, why the authorities have felt the need to reintroduce fares for the concessionary card holders.

"Western Ferries views itself as a community-focused ferry operator and this decision has been made in recognition of the loyalty and support given to Western Ferries by the local Cowal community and in recognition that these charges could have had an adverse effect on those making regular trips to Inverclyde for hospital visits."

'Long-term stability'

SPT said a review of its Strathclyde concessionary travel scheme, which allows anyone above the age of 60 and eligible disabled people to travel for a reduced fare, was facing increasing demand under a limited budget.

"We want to secure the long-term stability of the concession scheme within tight financial settlements," said an SPT spokesman.

He added: "If we do nothing, the cost of operating the scheme will continue to rise to well over £5m, which is unsustainable."

The review will also see concessionary fares on rail and subway services will increase to 60p or £1, bringing all concessionary fares to the same level.

Tory transport spokesman Alex Johnstone welcomed Western Ferries' decision, adding that, unlike state ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne, the company received no government funding.

June Allison says

I have just posted a comment without saying that this was on the BBC website this morning and I thought it would be of interest. June p.s. Petitions only in Garrison - not library, we are not allowed to take them!

Sandy Morton says

The increase in ferry charges must be more worrying for the tourist trade on the island. A car ticket is increasing from £16.65 to £19.95 and a passenger from £3.10 to either £4.05 or £4.60. For how much longer will we be a tourist destination?

June Allison says

Maybe CalMac are about to cook the golden goose - the market can take only so much and I think this could prove a rise too far! Very shortsighted. We all know they make an absolute fortune from this run - whatever spin they try to put on it.

Site Admin says

Compare CalMac fares here.

mary wilson says

Can anyone tell me how much it would be to bring a 9 seater bus holding 3 kids 3 adults on the ferry? Thank you!

Stephen Dobbin says

FYI...The increase to £19.95 for a car is only on a Saturday and the late boat on a Friday from what I can gather. The rest of the week the increase is 40p for a car.

Sandy Morton says

Duly noted but Saturday is/was the busiest day of the week for tourists.

June Allison says

Sandy - you'll probably know this - we used to be the most expensive ferry crossing mile for mile in Europe - are we still?

ANDREA McLACHLAN says

Pensioner visitors to the Island don't get free travel on the ferry so the £1 won't make any difference to tourists.

Jean Kerr (McKinnon) says

Sorry, forgot that the Library could not take the petition so that one is in the British Legion.
All the other areas affected e.g. Arran, Bute, Cowal all have their own services but our elderly have to travel to the mainland for Dentist (meantime) Brooksby Medical Centre, Social Services, vet, Registrar as well as shopping not available on the island e.g. shoes, clothing, cobbler. I am a strong supporter of shopping locally as much as possible but it is sometimes unavoidable. We, as the Forum, are working closely with other national agencies to promote keeping our elderly active as long as possible and this free travel has made a great difference to many of their lives.
I have used the reduced concessionary travel in Glasgow on the train but there we have the option of going free on the bus which we have not got here on the island. Why yet again have OUR elderly to be penalised because we live on an island?
This is purely an SPT initiative and only applies to the Clyde Coast ferries. Maybe WE have to make up the money THEIR executives have fiddled on their expenses recently!!!!!!

June Allison says

Maybe not Andrea - but the increase of the car ticket most certainly will!
As will the general increase of bringing a family to Cumbrae, which is getting outwith the budget of many people.