Hiiumaa and Saaremaa Residents to Travel with Discounted Ferry Tickets Soon

Estonia's Ministry of Regional Affairs has withdrawn previously planned changes that would have restricted discounted ferry tickets for residents of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa, after strong public criticism.

Under the initial proposal, island residents would have had to wait 36 hours after a disruption to the direct ferry link between the two islands before they could use a discounted ticket to take a detour through the mainland. The plan faced fierce opposition from island communities.

Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras announced that a new system will take effect this autumn, allowing permanent residents of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa to travel from the mainland to the neighboring island at a discounted rate year-round.

"The mechanism will be the same as the one currently used, where the discount applies to the passenger and the vehicle under the same conditions. Eligibility is based on official residency registration in either municipality," Terras added.

The new arrangement replaces the previously criticized model and provides greater flexibility for island residents, ensuring permanent discounts on ferry services.