Ferry company withdraws discounted medical fares

A decision to withdraw medical concession fares for an island's residents has not been taken "lightly", a shipping company has said.

The Isle of Sark Shipping said in a joint statement with the Medical and Emergency Services Committee, the subsided medical travel concession had been withdrawn with "immediate effect".

The provider said the concession has, for some time, provided reduced fares for Sark islanders travelling for medical appointments, together with a reduced fare for an accompanying chaperone where required.

Both the company and committee said it recognised travel for appointments was an important issue for residents.

"The decision has therefore not been taken lightly", the statement said.

The arrangement had been funded entirely by the company as part of its wider discretionary concessions framework.

The firm "is currently reviewing its discretionary concessions to ensure that fare arrangements are fair, consistent and sustainable across its services", the statement said.

The committee said it would continue to keep the matter under review and further consideration may be given to whether a medical travel subsidy should be reinstated.

The statement said: "Residents travelling for medical appointments should therefore book travel through the normal ticketing arrangements with immediate effect."

It added existing bookings would be honoured and passengers should contact the company if they had any questions about their bookings.

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