Transport Scotland - Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) on fare increase: FOI release

Information requested

a) A copy of the Island Communities Impact Assessment regarding the upcoming fare increase of 10% on CalMac routes.

b) All correspondence between Transport Scotland and Ministers regarding the fare increase.

c) A list of all individuals and bodies who were consulted in order to prepare the ICIA regarding the fare increase.

d) What actions and considerations were given to offsetting negative impacts of the fare increase, as identified by the ICIA.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested in your first, third and fourth questions.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some the information you have requested in your second question because exemption(s) of FOISA apply to that information under sections 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of Scottish Government policy), 38(1)(b) (Personal data relating to a third party), 30(b)(ii) (Free and frank exchange of views), and 33(1)(b) (Commercial interests).

These exemptions are subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the requirement of private space to discuss policy, the requirement for personal information to be kept private, the requirement for a free and frank exchange of views between officials and Ministers, and to prevent a detrimental effect on commercial interests.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400437319 - Information Released - Annex

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