Flat ferry fares for islanders comes at ‘a cost’, Transport Scotland says

‘FLAT-LINING’ ferry fares for islanders is under consideration – but comes at a cost, Transport Scotland has warned.

Shetland News reported in September that a number of Shetlanders had called for islanders to pay low season fares year-round at a ferries consultation earlier this year.

Calls for year-round low season fares for islanders at ferry consultation event

Islanders get a discounted rate over non-island travellers. However, that islander rate rises if booking in mid or peak season.

Peak season lasts from 15 June to 31 August, while mid season kicks in at different times of the year – including the Easter and October school holidays.

Interim director of ferries Chris Wilcock said people would “not be surprised” to hear that a flat low season rate for islanders was one of the most requested changes to the Northern Isles ferry contract.

Green councillor Alex Armitage had asked transport officials whether the change could be brought in at Tuesday’s external transport forum.

And in response to Wilcock, he asked if the change would have to wait until the next ferry contract – which is only due to begin after 30 June 2028 – or if it could be implemented sooner.

Wilcock responded, however, that was “something for [Scottish] ministers to consider”.

“Of course, there’s a cost,” he added.

The meeting also heard that CMAL officials have recently been to China to visit two shipyards which are in the running to supply two new freight ferries for the Northern Isles.

The project, currently estimated to cost £200 million, is at the “invite to tender stage”.

CMAL officials will travel to Turkey next week to visit the last two shipyards competing for the works, Wilcock added.

He said they were expecting tender returns back shortly, with Transport Scotland previously saying they hoped to award the contract for the work in February 2026.

Armitage also pushed Transport Scotland on whether “Japan-style sleeping pods” were under consideration for inclusion on the new freight-flex ferries.

He was told that singular Japanese-style lie flat pods – with a space for luggage – were being considered for the new ferries but that was “not set in stone”.

Wilcock added they were interested to see whether the new lie-flat pods would be a success aboard the Hjaltland and Hrossey, and that they would be in line to be used.

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