News Release Page Title

15 October 2001

FREE FARES FOR ELDERLY ON RATHLIN FERRY

Senior citizens travelling as passengers on the Rathlin Island Ferry Service will soon be able to travel free, Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, MP MLA, announced today.

Starting on 1 January 2002, senior citizens aged 65 and over, travelling as passengers in vehicles or on foot on the Rathlin Island Ferry Service, will be entitled to travel for free.

Mr Campbell said: "The Rathlin Island Ferry Service provides a life-line service for the people of Rathlin and enables others to visit Northern Ireland’s only inhabited island.

"This announcement is very much in keeping with my Department’s policy to target concessions at users of public transport and follows my recent statement about free fares for senior citizens on the Strangford Lough Ferry Service."

The Minister also reminded senior citizens over 65 years of age to apply for the concessionary pass, which is required to avail of free fares on public transport services.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Department for Regional Development currently provides a Roll-on Roll-off, lifeline ferry service to Rathlin Island through contracted arrangements with CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne), a public company owned by the Scottish Executive. Under contractual arrangements the Department pays an annual subsidy in support of operating costs, which is in effect a Public Service Obligation subsidy.

  2. When the ferry service became operational in 1997, it was agreed between the Rathlin Islanders, Moyle District Council and the Department that people "ordinarily resident" on the island and who had no choice but to use the service on a frequent basis would qualify for a 50% concession on the standard fare, including vehicle charges. In addition to the Islanders’ concessionary fares scheme, a £1 discount on the standard single fare for Senior Citizens is also offered.

  3. Today’s announcement brings the provision of the Rathlin Island Ferry Service into line with the Department’s Concessionary Fares Scheme and Mr Campbell’s announcement of free fares for senior citizens travelling on the Strangford Lough Ferry Service.