Call to Commit to Reinstating TRS Freight Discount
29 March 2021 at 11:16:42
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has called for all prospective
parliamentary candidates for the Western Isles to make a commitment
to reinstate the Traders' Rebate Scheme (TRS) freight
discount.
This was removed in 2008 when the failed commercial RET
trails took place but was never reinstated which means the islands
are disadvantaged and bear much higher freight costs than all the
other islands across the network.
Chair of Transportation Uisdean Robertson has recently
written once again to Transport Scotland on this matter and despite
it appearing to be discriminatory in nature and adding costs for
individuals and businesses across the islands the benefit has not
been reinstated.
"I am now calling on prospective candidates to give
assurance that they will look at reinstating this benefit
immediately in the new Parliament and ensuring the Western Isles
enjoys the same freight benefits as the other islands in the
network." said Mr Robertson.