the high prices in ferry tickets which still apply this summer, particularly on speedboats, are causing concern and reactions among citizens, islanders and tourism professionals.
Ticket prices for a family to visit an island are almost prohibitive, while prices for intra-Cyclades speedboat routes have skyrocketed. Generally we mention that a family of four with a car Skiathos will spend 419 euros, 430 for Teno596 euros for ChiosIt will take 632 for Paro206 for KefaloniaFor Mytilene 750 euros, while for Pink they don’t even reach a thousand euros.
A reform announced in its annual action plan Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy For 2024, the creation of a Coastal Ticket Price Observatory will make it possible to know the price of the net fare (without surcharges) and the gross fare (final ticket price) in 1,500 port connections.
The average price on a weekly, monthly and annual basis for all categories of passenger (economy, sleeper), vehicle (small, large) and truck tickets will also be presented.
In an interview with a television channel (31-5-2024), the responsible minister said that “so far the prices on conventional ships are reasonable” and that through the Price Observatory operating within the ministry, “recommendations are made to shipping companies.” “, while warning that “if necessary, we will end up with the intervention of the Competition Commission”.
Two days later, in an interview with APE-MPE, he said that “all the relevant departments of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and in particular the General Secretariat of the Merchant Navy and Ports, are working feverishly to complete the Observatory,” apparently admitting that the Price Observatory is not finished, which anyone visiting the ministry’s website can also see.
Following the above, the Minister is requested to:
1. Is the Coastal Ferry Ticket Price Observatory being carried out and if not, what are the reasons for the delay?
2. How is the increase in ferry ticket prices justified, especially for high-speed ferries, given that fuel prices are lower than in 2022 and 2023?
3. Does the government intend to impose a cap on the gross profit margins of ferry companies?
4. Does the government intend to seek intervention from the Competition Commission?
5. What further measures does the government plan to take to reduce the price of ferry tickets, so that they become affordable for the average Greek family and do not constitute an obstacle to visiting our islands?