Cllr Struan Mackie, the Highland Conservative Group's Transport Spokesman voiced concern at the future of the air discount scheme (ads) which is due to end on the 31st of March next year. The programme which supports peripheral communities access air links with reduced fares allows residents in Colonsay, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Caithness and North West Sutherland. Registered Third Sector organisations who have employees/volunteers that have their permanent/main residence in an eligible area are also eligable for the scheme which gives each user a card which can be used to book flights.
In a statement to the press, Cllr Mackie said " I am concerned that this scheme is at risk and I am seeking urgent clarity from Scottish Ministers that there is a future for ADS beyond March 2019."
"The regional routes are often far more expensive than counterparts in the rest of the country and ADS allows some parity in pricing which makes these vital services more competitive."
"I have written to the Transport Minister this week to ask for his support and I will keep the pressure up until we have a concrete response from Scottish Government."
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