Transport / Ferry, bus and air fares could be frozen
FARES for Shetland’s internal ferries, buses and flights could be frozen at current rates.
A freeze is being proposed because there is an ongoing review of transport fares in Shetland.
Showing some surprise at the cost of flights – a return trip to Fair Isle for a visiting adult is around £113 – Shetland South councillor Robbie McGregor suggested at a meeting of the council’s environment and transport committee the idea of cheaper fares for family members of people visiting folk in Fair Isle.
However he was told that this could potentially be considered in the ongoing fares review.
McGregor added that the SIC has to support these “fragile economies”.
The fares feature in the proposed SIC budget for 2024/25.
An item on the budget for services such as transport was presented for approval at a meeting of the SIC’s development committee on Monday.
All of the various budget proposals across the SIC will go to the full council at the end of the month for final decision.
This article was amended on Tuesday 12 March to reflect that 2023/24 air fare figures included in a report to councillors at Monday’s meeting did not reflect the current fare, and that they are in line to stay the same as they are currently and are not due to rise by 10 per cent as previously reported.
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