Published: Sunday, 14th March, 2010 5:20pm

It's no fare!

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Cumbrae councillors have hit out at a price hike on concessionary ferry fares as it will only apply to Clyde services.

Speaking at last week's meeting of Cumbrae Community Council, secretary Christine MacCulloch stated of the concessionary announcement: "It was only on the Clyde. That was what really rattled my cage.

"I don't object to it if everyone gets it, but I object to it only being on the Clyde."

Elected North Coast Councillor Alex Gallagher pointed out that it affected "anything in the Strathclyde area", but joked that, due to recent financial pressures, SPT "might be abolished" by the time the rise was implemented.

Member of the public, Frank Corcoran said he believed that Western Ferries had been hit with the same rise, but they had chosen to "absorb it".

He added that MSP for Cunninghame North Kenneth Gibson was "trying to get CalMac to do the same".

North Ayrshire Councillor Alan Hill who works as a solicitor in Millport said: "What I find objectionable is the lack of any consultation on the reintroduction of charges. Why on earth did islanders find out about this from whispered comments and rumours? Surely to goodness SPT and Cal Mac should have had the common decency to inform their own customers rather than let them find out this way?

"I am also more than a little concerned about the fact that we seem to be heading towards a two tier public transport service with some islanders retaining free travel and others losing it."