Liam McArthur criticises Scottish Government decision to increase ferry fares by 10%

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, has criticised the latest update from the Scottish Government which has indicated that ferry fares for services in the Northern Isles network will increase by 10% from next year.

In a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s net zero, energy and transport committee, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

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

Commenting on the Scottish Government's decision to increase ferry fares by 10% for 2025-26, Liam McArthur said:

"This fare hike will come as a serious blow to households and businesses in Orkney who rely on these lifeline services and who continue to struggle with cost-of-living pressures.

“When the Scottish Government 'froze' fares last year, Ministers congratulated themselves for having protected island communities. At no time did they suggest that their generosity would be clawed back in future years through an inflation-busting increase.

“People in Orkney will rightly be suspicious of future 'gifts' from ministers who appear to be happy to give with one hand and take away with the other.

“On ferry routes which still don’t enjoy the benefits of Road Equivalent Tariff, these further cost increases just add salt to the wound for people in Orkney.”