Schedule Part 2 - Fares
There are four main fares structures applicable to the Services:
Passenger Fares
(Non-commercial) vehicle fares
Commercial Vehicle Tariff (which is applicable to commercial vehicles and, as appropriate, loose freight)
Trade Tariff (which is applicable to coaches).
Full fare structures including any multipliers and surcharges by Route are required to be published by CFL on the CFL website. CFL shall maintain and provide a Fares Manual (non-public facing document) containing a list of all fares, how they are calculated and how they are applied and charging rules, including multipliers.
Passenger fares will be differentiated as adult fares, child fares for children of age between 5 and 15 years inclusive, which shall be 50% of the relevant adult fare, and infants of age less than 5 years which shall be zero.
Individual bicycles shall be carried free of charge when accompanied by a passenger.
Fares will be applied for each Tariff Period. Fares for the Tariff Periods 2025/26 will be published on the CFL website.
The Published Tariff Scheme (a selection of key fares to be published on CFL website) for the following year’s summer and winter timetables shall be published by CFL alongside summer timetables by 31 October for 2026/27 (covering Summer 2026 and Winter 2026/27 timetable periods) and subsequent Tariff Periods the fares shall be adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the preceding May unless modified by Scottish Ministers or Scottish Ministers give their approval to an alternative structure proposed by CFL. Any increases, or reductions (including those relating to CPI) shall require the consent of Scottish Ministers.
The amounts calculated by applying the RET Formula or Tariff Index Linking to the Published Tariff Scheme for the immediately preceding Tariff Period must be rounded up to the next £0.05.
Transaction charges
Proportional charges may be recovered from customers in relation to cancellations or amendments to bookings.
Proportional charges shall be calculated based on a percentage of the total booking cost, reflecting the administrative and operational costs incurred by CFL due to such cancellations or amendments. Proportional charges shall reflect the timing and nature of the cancellation or amendment.
The purpose of levying proportional charges is to seek to maximise deck capacity by discouraging short notice cancellations or amendments or non-fulfilment of bookings, while also ensuring that CFL can recover reasonable costs associated with changes to bookings which may result in unused capacity.
Discounts and commissions
Scottish Ministers may direct, by the issue of a Variation Notice, the provision of certain discount or commission schemes. These include:
Discount for groups/ special events.
Integrated ticketing discounts.
Commission for commercial travel agents.
CFL is required to facilitate ferry concession schemes operated by relevant local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships, including:
SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport)
The Highland Council
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)
Scottish Ministers require the provision of certain mandatory discount schemes which are listed below.
The following mandatory discount schemes are not separately funded by direct revenue replacement contribution.
Blind persons concession: holders of a national entitlement card which has the eye symbol are entitled to concessions on ferry journeys throughout Scotland.
Discounts for specified transport workers and former workers.
A 25% discount on the non-commercial vehicle fare for a blue badge holder.
50% discount on coach fares for school buses, for primary and secondary school mini-buses (between 6.01 metres and 8.00 metres in length, including the driver fare) - helping school pupils' access educational, sporting, and cultural activities.
Zero fare foot passenger tariff for Western Isles residents under the age of 22 on the Routes: Berneray/Leverburgh and Ardmhor/Eriskay.
The terms of the following mandatory discount scheme are controlled by Transport Scotland and this scheme is funded by re-imbursement by the concessionary travel unit, Transport Scotland.
Older and Disabled Persons Scheme. National entitlement card holders, who are also resident in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar area are eligible to receive vouchers for travel as foot passengers on up to 4 single journeys each year, which may be used on the following Routes:
Castlebay (Barra) - Oban
Lochboisdale (South Uist) – Oban
Lochmaddy (North Uist) – Uig
Mallaig – Lochboisdale
Tarbert (Harris) – Uig
Stornoway (Lewis) – Ullapool
Young Persons Scheme. Young Scot national entitlement card holders (for 16–21-year-olds and full-time volunteers under the age of 26), who are residents on the Scottish islands are eligible to receive vouchers for travel as foot passengers on up to 4 single journeys each year
Traders rebate scheme is granted to commercial vehicle operators who have a history of frequent use. It is calculated on a Route-by-Route basis for all operators and is subject to review by Scottish Ministers and CFL.
The rebate is calculated on the basis of a numeral which relates to CFL’s annual estimated future turnover and proposed number of journeys.
The numeral is being used as a first screening for the rebate rate that should be offered to commercial vehicle operators. The larger the numeral the higher the rebate rate. The rebate rates that apply vary between 2.5% and 15%. Therefore,
If numeral basis < 500, a 0 rebate
If numeral basis < 1,250, a 2.5% rebate
If numeral basis < 2,250, a 5% rebate
If numeral basis < 3,500, a 7.5% rebate
If numeral basis < 6,000, a 10% rebate
If numeral basis < 10,000, a 12.5% rebate
If numeral basis 10,000, a 15% rebate
Deliverables and Milestones
CFL is required to provide all deliverables and meet all milestones outlined in Table 5. Additionally, CFL may propose additional deliverables and milestones for approval by Scottish Ministers.
|
Deliverable/Milestone |
Delivery Date |
|
1.1.1. CFL shall supply a Fares Manual and subsequently keep it under review. |
First 3 months of Grant Period and reviewed annually thereafter |
|
1.1.2. CFL shall propose to Scottish Ministers their proposed fares adjustments for the following Tariff Period. |
Annually before 30 June |
|
1.1.3. CFL shall supply and update the Published Tariff Scheme to Scottish Ministers. |
Annually before 31 October |