The Road Equivalent Tarrif has made a huge difference to many of us. It started off with a pilot scheme in 2009 I think and by the end of 2011 RET was bestowed upon all routes to The Western Isles plus Coll and Tiree. Islay, Colonsay and Gigha followed suit the following year. I still do an Arran jaunt every Summer. A few years back that would cost around £150 for myself, my OH, my young son and a wee hatchback. Now with RET being thrust upon Arran a couple of years back, the cost is less than £50.
For the likes of us, that saving of £100 can then be invested as a gratis contribution towards one's self-catering accommodation, or as we like to do, spend it on big steak dinners, plastic flip-flops and ice creams.
RET has rendered island hopping to about a third of its price of ten years ago. That's the stuff. Better than politicians spending it on cocaine, duck-houses, prozzies and rent-boys.