Transport / Return of multi-journey ferry tickets draws disappointment from some isles councillors
NEWS of Shetland Islands Council reintroducing multi-journey tickets on inter-island ferries has been met by disappointment by some elected members.
North Isles councillor Ryan Thomson said “having to buy 10 journeys in one lump sum puts cheaper travel out of reach for those that need it most”.
Meanwhile his ward colleague Duncan Anderson said the move will be frustrating for many – but he has been “assured that this is ‘a step backwards to move forwards’”.
Multi-journey tickets offer discounted ferry rates for regular ferry passengers able to buy their tickets in advance.
They were stopped when the Covid pandemic struck, with the council going instead with account cards – which saw passengers invoiced for their journeys – to reduce cash handling.
However, in a recent report internal auditors raised concern at some elements of the account card scheme.
They pointed to how there is no eligibility criteria for an account, meaning some “non-locals and non-regular users” have signed up, whilst a loss of income was also noted.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) has now confirmed that from 1 April account cards issued after March 2020 which gave the multi-journey ticket benefit rate will no longer be valid for ferry travel.
However, the council said on social media that multi-journey tickets will not be available for purchase on ferries, and will be available to buy in advance either online, or at Sella Ness or at 8 North Ness in Lerwick.
Thomson said he was “surprised and disappointed” at the move to reintroduce multi-journey tickets.
“It has been recognised for many years multi-journey tickets are far from ideal,” he said. “Cheaper ferry travel would benefit most those on low incomes.”
Thomson said he understood the need to respond to the audit findings, but added “we cannot go back to the way it was, with all its faults for any longer than needed and a proper, fit for purpose, affordable method of payment for all the users of our ferries must be a priority”.
Meanwhile Anderson also described the reintroduction of multi-journey tickets as disappointing.
“This is a step the council has been forced to take as a result of auditors raising concerns with the card/invoice system introduced during Covid,” he said.
“I am assured that this is ‘a step backwards to move forwards’ and will be pushing to get a more modern, fit for purpose system introduced in the future.
“The council are looking at options for making these multi journey tickets more affordable – rather than having to pay for 10 journeys up front to get the discount – so I will be looking for updates on this as soon as possible.”
The SIC said tickets and details of fares will be available as soon as possible after the 2023/24 council budgets are set in the middle of March.
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