A NEW travelcard scheme has been launched by ferry company, Red Funnel.
The new card will replace the existing Gold and Silver Travel Cards, which were designed for frequent vehicle travel.
The new pre-pay card has been introduced following the launch of the company’s online reservation system in 2008.
Three months of consultation took place with existing card users before the introduction of the new scheme, which will allow members to view statements, top up their accounts and manage bookings online.
The new card now includes up to four occupants per vehicle.
Depending on travel patterns, many journeys will be considerably cheaper than the previous system while others, mainly single drivers in a car travelling infrequently but during the summer holidays, will be more expensive.
For existing members, there is a cap in price, regardless of season, of £35 per crossing for the car and four passengers but for the vast majority of the time, they will pay much less.
Jonathan Green, sales and marketing director, said: "In aggregate, members will pay less for their journeys and have much more flexibility and visibility over their accounts than they have had previously.
"While any new system cannot please everyone all the time, on balance, we believe most will find it a vast improvement," Mr Green added.
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk