Scottish Minister for Transport, Keith Brown has agreed meet island hauliers about the huge hike in ferry fares for commercial vehicles.
A delegation will travel to Edinburgh on 7 February to urge Mr Brown to suspend the ticket rises of up to 175% and install a fairer pricing structure instead.
MSP Alasdair Allan who arranged the showdown said: “I believe it is right that the companies which will be affected by changes to the fair structure have a chance to voice their concerns directly.
“They have indicated that these concerns include what they feel was a lack of consultation around the decisions and the impact which this will have on their companies.
“I am also presently making a strong case to the Transport Minister that any new system of discounts for commercial vehicles is one which benefits all haulage companies, and not just a few, as was the case with discount schemes in the past.
“It is obvious how strong feelings are among these companies and as local MSP I have conveyed this to the Government.”
David Wood, of the campaign body Outer Hebrides Transport Group welcomed the forum.
He stressed: “Our ambition is simple: maintain the current RET scheme for commercial vehicles, and avoid the imposition of a ruinous and unnecessary haulage and household tax.
“It’s regrettable that it’s taken this long to secure a face to face meeting. But
we hope our MSP Alasdair Allan, who is a minister in the SNP government -
Transport group co-
“Anything short of maintaining the fare structure we have -
“We would urge islanders and business owners to keep sending us information and supporting us in our aim to protect island families from unnecessary and additional costs.”
Hauliers to meet transport minister over ferry fare row 24/1/12
Lorries face significant increases in ferry fares when haulage RET is scrapped