The Scottish Liberal Democrats will today set out their plans for a major investment in transport for the Highlands and Islands.
The Press and Journal can reveal that the party’s manifesto, which is being unveiled this morning, contains commitments to introduce “scrappage” grants to help Highlanders buy hybrid vehicles.
Willie Rennie’s party will also promise to reintroduce the air discount scheme for business travellers to the northern isles, slash ferry fares and cut rail travel times between Aberdeen, Inverness and the central belt.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have set their sights on increasing their number of MSPs at Holyrood following the election on May 5.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who is expected to unveil her manifesto next week, has already pledged to look at introducing subsidies for ferry travel to the northern isles.
A senior Liberal Democrat source said: “The north of Scotland and the northern isles have been at the back of the queue for too long when it comes to transport investment.
“If we want Scotland to be the best again we need to ensure that no area of the country is left behind and that is what our plans will deliver for the north.
“Our plans would make the most of new technology, harnessing the renewable resources of the north to boost electric vehicles and cut our emissions.
“This is good for the environment, will help cut fuel bills that are a huge outgoing for families and businesses and create jobs too.”
Electric vehicle use has surged in recent years, although “range anxiety” has been a barrier for more remote communities such as the Highlands.
Some companies have undertaken trials of electric vehicles in the region in a bid to prove their reliability in often gruelling conditions.
The source added: “We also need to end the unfairness of people in the northern isles missing out on the sort of support that the SNP have provided to the western isles for years.
“That is why we will take action to cut ferry fares in half and reintroduce the air discount scheme for business travellers.
“People in the isles cannot afford to wait for another half-baked SNP consultation.”