Road Equivalent Tariffs-problems with extra traffic?
Discussion
I thought this was fantastic news for the islands when introduced but friends and family in the western islands are reporting huge problems with increased numbers of tourist cars choking up the island roads. Maybe I'm part of the problem as I don't live on an island any more but was looking forward to a few extra trips this year to visit family but it looks like I'll struggle to get on a Friday night boat without booking this year.
Anyone else find this a problem or is it just a few isolated incidents coupled with islanders tendencies towards doom and gloom?
Anyone else find this a problem or is it just a few isolated incidents coupled with islanders tendencies towards doom and gloom?
I've seen media reports about this. Given all the economic upheaval around the country I struggled to muster much sympathy for the complaints of "too many tourists!".
On the other hand, I couldn't get on the Mallaig to Armadale ferry a few weeks ago so obviously it has been a complete disaster and should be cancelled immediately.
On the other hand, I couldn't get on the Mallaig to Armadale ferry a few weeks ago so obviously it has been a complete disaster and should be cancelled immediately.
I too failed to get on the Mallaig Armadale ferry at first attempt a couple of weeks back - the ferries were booked out more than 24hrs in advance so we had to come back the following afternoon. It hadn't even occurred to me I might have to pre-book!
The tariffs seem incredibly low, to the point I actually asked whether the cashier had it right. We had a LWB Transporter-based campervan plus four passengers and the overall price was a little over a tenner from memory. Apparently it was the same class as "a hatchback or saloon". Righto!
I fully understand subsidising the residents of the islands (but even then a Skye resident isn't exactly forced to use the ferry when there's a free bridge) but I reckon it would be sustainable (and probably more advisable looking long term) to take the tourists for a few extra quid given they are a primary income stream! A 50% mark up if you can't prove residency would still be a cheap fare...
The tariffs seem incredibly low, to the point I actually asked whether the cashier had it right. We had a LWB Transporter-based campervan plus four passengers and the overall price was a little over a tenner from memory. Apparently it was the same class as "a hatchback or saloon". Righto!
I fully understand subsidising the residents of the islands (but even then a Skye resident isn't exactly forced to use the ferry when there's a free bridge) but I reckon it would be sustainable (and probably more advisable looking long term) to take the tourists for a few extra quid given they are a primary income stream! A 50% mark up if you can't prove residency would still be a cheap fare...
Wings Over Scotland | The unending badness
http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-unending-badness/
Read this last week , explains it quiet well , yes the Ferrys are busy but any time I travel back I book well in advance for my 2-3 trips especially the summer!!
I suppose the only time this might be an inconvenience would be if you had to travel in an emergency for a funeral etc
But let them come , the islands need tourists and to this day I've yet to experience a traffic jam in south uist or benbecula..
http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-unending-badness/
Read this last week , explains it quiet well , yes the Ferrys are busy but any time I travel back I book well in advance for my 2-3 trips especially the summer!!
I suppose the only time this might be an inconvenience would be if you had to travel in an emergency for a funeral etc
But let them come , the islands need tourists and to this day I've yet to experience a traffic jam in south uist or benbecula..
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