Concerned residents fear time is running out to stop the removal of season tickets from the Largs/Cumbrae ferry route – a decision that would be ‘catastrophic’ for the island.

With season tickets set to end later this month, the Cumbrae Ferry Committee claims travellers using the service on a daily basis will be faced with a 70 per cent price hike to travel.

However, ferry operator CalMac says the increase, which was communicated to islanders, will only be around 20 per cent.

Angus Campbell, chair of the CFC, believes the route should be allowed to retain the discount given its unique closeness to the mainland.

He explained: “We are incredibly frustrated that, in the midst of a cost of living crisis, Transport Scotland have instructed CalMac to remove season tickets from the Largs to Cumbrae route.

“This is in line with other routes but does not take account of Cumbrae’s unique position, an eight-minute journey to the mainland with one-hour train access to Glasgow.

“This is unreasonable and untenable for individuals, families and businesses who have budgeted based on a long-established season ticket cost.

“The removal of season tickets will increase the depopulation of the island and further damage its fragile economy.”

The new Ar Turas ticking system is set to be introduced from April 25, and Angus insists time is running out to reverse a decision that he believes would have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on Cumbrae.

He said: “Cumbrae holds a unique accolade for being ‘Scotland’s most accessible island’ but this action risks making the island economically inaccessible to the life blood of its community.

“Even though the profit which CalMac will make from this action is negligible, around £20,000, they are not listening to our calls for a variation in their new ticketing system.

“The impact of this decision could have a catastrophic impact on the fragile economy and viability of our island. We urgently call on Transport Scotland to reconsider.”

A spokeswoman for CalMac said: “An annual season ticket has not existed since December 2021 after the introduction of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET), which reduced the cost of standard ferry tickets.

“Transport Scotland rules state we cannot apply additional price reductions on non-concessionary travel.

“For the same reason, the monthly season ticket has recently been withdrawn. The actual impact of this on those who formerly bought monthly tickets will be an increase of around 20 per cent.

“Local communities have been kept informed throughout the transition period via stakeholders such as ferry committees and community councils.”

Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart added: “Transport Scotland officials have had an initial meeting with CalMac to investigate potential options for eBooking of multi-journey tickets on the new Ar Turas ticketing system, although this is at an early stage.

“Wider fares policy will be considered as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan and future fares options will be considered through that process.”