SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT : ROAD EQUIVALENT TARIFF (RET) - ONLINE BUSINESS SURVEY
Since October 2008, the Scottish Government has been running, as a pilot programme, a scheme that subsidises fares on lifeline ferry services in the Western isles. This scheme is known as Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) and will run until spring 2011. The Scottish Government is seeking to assess the effectiveness of this scheme in supporting fragile island economies and whether there might be a long-term role for this kind of subsidy across the ferry network in Scotland As part of this process, information is needed regarding the views of businesses who use ferry services in the Western Isles. To collect this information, we have set up an online survey for those with an interest to complete. You can access the survey here.
The data collected will inform decisions about possible future roll-out of RET. To maintain confidentiality, the information will be combined and will contain no reference to any individual business. The survey is now online and will be open until 11 September 2009.
ROAD EQUIVALENT TARIFF
On 13 August 2007 the Scottish Government announced a details of a study into ferry fares in Scotland. The aim of the study is to establish the most effective and sustainable structure for a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot scheme for setting ferry fares
RET involves setting ferry fares on the basis of the cost of travelling an equivalent distance by road. The high cost of ferry fares have been seen by many as a barrier to economic growth on the islands.
The Scottish Government recognises the vital importance of lifeline ferry services in supporting Scotland's island communities and understand the genuine concerns from our remote and fragile communities about the affordability of ferry travel and the impact this has on islanders. This approach would not just benefit islanders by providing cheaper fares but could also boost island economies by attracting tourists and supporting businesses.
The study comprises three Phases, Phase 1 - the initial desk-based study, Phase 2 - monitoring the pilot exercise that will start on 19 October 2008 and Phase 3 - an evaluation of the pilot exercise that will inform decisions on possible future roll-out of RET.
The routes for the initial pilot study will be: Ullapool - Stornoway, Uig - Tarbert (Harris)/Lochmaddy (North Uist) and Oban - Castlebay (Barra), Lochboisdale (South Uist) and Oban to Coll and Tiree
A copy of the Phase 1 Reports can be viewed here:-
Stage 1 - Sets out how ferry fares are set in a number of countries, including the RET approach;
Stage 2 - Offers definitions of RET that could be applied to all categories of passenger and vehicular traffic in the context of the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks;
Stage 3 - Provides an initial analysis of the potential impacts of the introduction of RET;
Stage 4 - Makes recommendations on the design and implementation of the pilot study on one or more routes to and from the Western Isles;
The Minutes of meetings held to discuss the study and presentations made to key stakeholders who are involved in the study can be viewed below. As the pilot develops copies of monitoring reports will also be made available here :-
September 2007
October 2007
January 2008
May 2008
For further details of the study and the pilot see the press notices at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/08/13095245
Powerpoint Presentation October 2007
Powerpoint Presentation February 2008
Powerpoint Presentation May 2009
RET First Monitoring Report - Summary July 2009