Discussions have been held with the Caledonian MacBrayne Users Consultative Committee (CMUCC), Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive and the Rail Users’ Committee. Kevin Hayes, Caledonian MacBrayne’s Commercial Director said: “It is important that CalMac establishes precisely the level of any misuse of ticketing which is simply fraud. Several concerns have been raised regarding the operation of the many concession schemes which are operated on behalf of other organisations, or arise from legislation which is beyond our control. Every penny we lose through misuse of ticketing arrangements is an attack on the public purse and it is important that the interests of the elderly, disabled and others are protected. That is why we have introduced the new procedures in the first place.”

The increase in the level and frequency of ticket inspections on ferries has the full backing of the CalMac Users Consultative Council, the passengers’ representatives.   Mike Lunan, Chairman CMUCC Chairman, said: “The CMUCC fully supports moves targeting customers who are abusing tickets. It is vital that any public service transport operator’s revenue is protected and any abuse of the system could lead in some cases to the withdrawal of some schemes which are not statutory. The CMUCC will continue to work with Caledonian MacBrayne, SPTE and other operators to ensure that the integrity of passenger ticketing is maintained and that at all times the customers’ interests are protected.”

Caledonian MacBrayne has undertaken to report on issues arising from the changes introduced to ticketing procedures in relation to concession at the annual meeting of the Joint Shipping Services Committees in Renfrew on February 20. The review is focussing on issues such as requests to reintroduce return tickets and books of multiple journey tickets.  CalMac currently permits the purchase of single tickets only for elderly concession card holders, a move introduced to combat suggestions of fraud and misuse of tickets.