What categories of islanders who live in the 77 barren lines will be entitled to the discounts that the government agreed with the ferry companies, as well as how the overall ferry tickets will be affected due to the fall in oil price, said Deputy Minister of Shipping 105.
“In barren lines, there are 77 lines that basically serve our islands, our islanders and which the state is subsidizing. It is the first time that the amount of barren lines has been up to 167 million, when I recall 2019 was 90 million. So in these 77 barren lines we put additional offers, which we agreed with the ferry companies, because they are also at the expense of the ferry, but they show a significant social sensitivity.
All of our islanders have been taking the so -called transport equivalent for several years. That is, all the permanent residents of the islands, small, large, medium can and are submitting their pills and are effectively paid, are compensated for a significant percentage of the ticket.
Let me first say that a request for timely was for the sports clubs among the islands amateur. So here, in all lengths and widths of the island country, where there is a barren line, free movements of sports clubs and amateur clubs are made. There are no professional ones, they are few in the islands and this was something that all our islands demanded and of course the Ministry of Sports. This is very important. Also, we reduced the rate of disability, it was 80% for free movement, we went 67% which is the definition, from there and above, it is considered a disabled, for kidney patients, cancer patients with people with a disability of 67% and above. Moving is free with a companion and vehicle for twice a month. This was recently announced by the minister, to reiterate that we put a 50% discount for three -year -old families who are very important and free movements for Coast Guard executives, “he said.
Concerning the downward prices of fuel and whether the impact of this reduction on tickets seems to be the case, Mr Gikas initially noted that indeed, the price of fuel is a factor that affects the ticket price.
“So, since there is a price downhill, there is a fixed price they use for ferry tickets. This is if and to what extent it can affect it is something we will see for next season.
There are objective criteria that increase the ticket price. I’ll just tell you two. Labor costs have increased in recent years, I mean at sea by about 20-25%, as well as repair costs, ”the deputy minister explained.
“First, to say that the government made a bet not to increase the ferry tickets and to remain stable prices as it was in ’24 and ’23 when it was officially announced that tickets would be accurately 15%, as the environment would be used.
With an amendment tabled by our minister, Vassilis Kikilias and we all voted, we reduced by 50% of the shipping fees and by 50% of the special tickets for the tickets and we were just able to remain stable prices, ”Mr Gikas said.
“Also, with contact with the ferry, with whom the ministry maintains a very good contact, we have managed and drastically increased the offer packages on both the conventional and high -speed ships. For the first time we had 30 and 32% discounts for families and groups of more than three, ”the minister added.
“Here, then, at the moment we have managed to say about the big picture, to keep tickets steady for ’25 and the same effort will continue for ’26. And we try with all these bid packages to help mainly people who need more.
For example, 50% for NATO pensioners. We owe the maritime labor and these people some special treatment, “Mr Gikas said.