22 March, 2007

FERRY operators NorthLink have withdrawn "anomalous" charges for disabled passengers under the new concessionary fares scheme after complaints from a Shetland resident.

Karen Angus, from Sandwick, protested at having to pay for exclusive use of a disabled cabin under the Scottish Executive scheme.

Ms Angus, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, receives two free return journeys to Aberdeen along with other elderly and disabled islanders.

Despite this when she recently phoned to book a trip she was told she would have to pay £54 for exclusive use of a disabled cabin.

When initially contacted two weeks ago, NorthLink said they knew nothing of the case. However when Ms Angus and a friend, who is also disabled, phoned the NorthLink booking office this week on separate occasions they were both told that they no longer had to pay.

Ms Angus said: "I am delighted that it has been cleared up. It was obviously some sort of error.

"I hope the NorthLink staff don't take this personally. When you are on the boat or in the terminal they look after you very well and are very, very helpful. I would not like to be giving any undue criticism."

The Scottish executive recently announced that the concession scheme for elderly and disabled to provide cabins was extended to include the busy summer months, depending on availability.

A NorthLink spokesperson said: "There seems to have been an anomaly in the change over of this scheme. We are glad that it has all been cleared up now."