MSP Katy Clark slams ScotGov for 10 per cent ferry fare hike

And they warned that it could have devastating consequences for islanders, tourism, and local businesses.

West of Scotland Labour MSP Katy Clark, a long-time advocate for improving Scotland's ferry services, has expressed outrage at the latest fare hike, calling it a "hammer blow" for communities already suffering from unreliable ferry services, delays, and cancellations.

And West Scotland Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said islanders were continuing to pay the price for SNP failures.

MSP Ms Clark had previously condemned the SNP Government's handling of the ongoing ferry crisis, describing it as a national emergency that requires immediate and sustained investment.

She is now urging the government to rethink its decision, prioritise investment in ferry infrastructure, and develop a long-term strategy to ensure that island communities receive the reliable and affordable services they need.

Ms Clark, whose office is in Ardrossan, said: "I am deeply concerned by the Scottish Government's decision to impose a 10 per cent increase in ferry fares.

“This could have a devastating impact on islanders, tourism, and local businesses, many of which are already struggling with the effects of ongoing delays and cancellations in ferry services.

Labour MSP Katy Clark (Image: Newsquest) “The islands’ communities, who rely on these ferries as lifelines, are once again being unfairly burdened by rising costs.

“This price hike is simply another blow to those already suffering from poor service reliability, which I have repeatedly condemned as a national crisis. We don’t need anything else to discourage people from using our ferries."

The ferry fares increase was revealed in a letter by Scottish transport minister Fiona Hyslop.

Ms Clark added: “The Scottish Government has failed to implement proactive solutions to address the chronic mismanagement that have hit our ferry services. Instead, they are choosing to pass the financial burden onto to customers, which is unacceptable.

“It’s time for the Scottish Government to step up and prioritise investment in our ferry infrastructure.

“A long-term strategy is urgently needed to address these ongoing challenges, not just stop-gap measures like fare hikes. Communities deserve reliable, affordable, and efficient ferry services - not the broken system they are currently dealing with.

“I urge the Scottish Government to rethink this damaging decision and focus on real solutions that will bring lasting improvements to Scotland's ferry network.”

Conservative MSP Jamie Greene (Image: Contributed) Fellow MSP Mr Greene said: “When islanders and coastal communities were promised a better ferry network by ministers, a sharp fare increase is the last thing they had in mind, particularly after a period of such substandard service.

“Island communities are already subject to substantial financial pressures and higher costs of living, and this decision will come as another blow to and businesses who are already struggling to stay afloat, as well as the many residents who rely on the ferry for their livelihoods.

“As all the signs point to another winter of ferry failure and network chaos, islanders are right to be furious at this decision. The Scottish government have consistently chosen to underinvest in our islands and ferries, but it is islanders who continue to pay the price.”

The fare hike will come into operation on March 28 for travellers to Arran and Cumbrae.

Today, transport secretary Ms Hyslop said: "We froze ferry fares for 2023-24 instead of a 9.1 per cent inflationary increase in order to help people, businesses and communities at the height of the cost-of-living crisis, and to continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic

"However, doing so meant that government effectively bore the loss of revenue in the longer term. In the current fiscal climate that loss, at £10 million a year, is too challenging to continue.

"Reluctantly, we are having to raise ferry fares in the coming year by 10 per cent, bringing fare levels back to around what they would have been had fares not been frozen in 2023-24.

"This means, in real terms, fares have broadly increased in line with inflation over time."