There's a wee bit of water between Gourock and Dunoon in the west of Scotland. Many people live on the Cowal peninsular and use ferries on a daily basis to commute between home and the Glasgow area.
You'll remember the recent fiasco concerning the quango Strathclyde Partnership for Transport which has lost three of its heid bummers once it was declared an inquiry into expenses was to be undertaken.
SPT operate a (publicly funded) ferry service along with a small private independent ferry company Western Ferries. SPT have also operated a subsidised travel scheme for those above the age of 60 and eligible and very recently applied to increase the charge for this service to 60p or £1 because, "We want to secure the long-term stability of the concession scheme within tight financial settlements." Just to remind you, SPT is a government quango and funded by government money.
However, Western Ferries has said it had decided not to charge the new fares. Western Ferries managing director Gordon Ross said:
"It is regrettable but totally understandable, given the current economic conditions, why the authorities have felt the need to reintroduce fares for the concessionary card holders.
"Western Ferries views itself as a community-focused ferry operator and this decision has been made in recognition of the loyalty and support given to Western Ferries by the local Cowal community and in recognition that these charges could have had an adverse effect on those making regular trips to Inverclyde for hospital visits."
I know who I'd sail with and not because I'd save a few pounds a week. Why is it a small private business can handle the present economic squeeze when a large government quango has great difficulty? There has been talk about SPT being an organisation set up in a mode of 'jobs for the boys'. Seems more and more like it doesn't it.
Well done Western Ferries!
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