The GUG (Gozo University Group) recently conducted a survey among Gozitan students about the problems they face during their commute between Gozo and Malta.

It said many of those interviewed were “not satisfied” with the current schedules and services, wishing that the services are “ameliorated to meet their expected quality and be the efficient services they should be and that the people deserve.”

In a statement, it said that the survey has given a “true representation” of the commuting problems faced by both the Gozitan student in Malta, as well as the Gozitan worker in Malta.

The organisation said that it is “extremely concerned about the current situation of transport in our islands. As a student organisation, we are trying our best and having constant dialogue with the relevant authorities to better, even by a small amount, the current situation.”

The GUG said that it has “long raised awareness about the X1 bus route’s problems, as well as the need for the X300 route to be reinstated daily, to further help the Gozitan student.”

It added that “as a student organisation, we are highly in favour of public transport routes that help the Gozitan student to commute to their place of study.”

“Furthermore, holding up with the notion that present students are tomorrow’s future, we argue that bus routes should be more efficient to attract more students to use public transport instead of their cars hence having a more sustainable and clean environment,” said the GUG.

Regarding the current fast ferry operations, the GUG said that “many students have come to us, complaining that the current timetable doesn’t satisfy their needs. It is of the utmost importance that the fast ferry increases its daily operations between the islands for the benefits of Gozitan students and workers alike, as promised by the authorities.”

The GUG concluded that it is also in favour of any solution that makes the Gozitan student’s commute to the main island better, smoother, and more efficient, and thus making the student’s life easier.

Details of the survey are revealed below. However the GUG said that it wished to “disclaim that any comments presented in the results section, are the opinions of the respondents and are not necessarily the GUG’s view about such topic matters.”

The GUG thanked all the participants who took part in this survey.

The survey was done electronically and the total number of students who completed the survey amounted to 235 students, these being Gozitan students who travel to Malta for their tertiary studies and the problem of public transportation in Malta for Gozitan Students in Malta.

The majority of those who filled in this survey, attend the University of Malta (University when referred to below) and the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST).

The survey was based on 9 questions, as well as a comment section for them to express their opinions and suggestions.

“At what time do you begin lectures on Monday?” To which many answered that they start at the early times of 8 to 10 o’clock in the morning. This meant that students either come to Malta during Sunday Evening or wake up early to come to Malta.

“However, of note is the fact that many students who are studying in the medicinal field as well as nurses who work and have their placements at Mater Dei Hospital (ca. 500m away from the University of Malta) must be in Malta earlier than the majority of other students due to the fact that the placements and shifts start at 7 am.

“When asked when they go to Malta for lectures on Monday, most of the respondents said that they preferred Monday morning to Sunday evening (55.3% to 44.7%).

“Students finish their lectures in Malta during different times between Thursday and Friday. Thus, leaving more scattered results. Most students finish their lectures in the hours between 3pm and 8pm. This is seen by a total of around 75% of respondents.

“The majority of students (54%) noted that they would commute using the Fast ferry service and the 300 bus route, which takes students from Valletta to University and Mater Dei. However, a sizeable minority (34%) said that they use the Gozo Channel and X1 bus route to arrive at either University or MDH. MCAST students also prefer using the fast ferry service but use the 150 bus route which goes from Valletta to MCAST Paola. Other respondents said that they like to use both, whichever is more convenient for them.

“When asked “What Gozo Channel Ferry do you usually use (to commute to Malta)?” students responded in a variety of answers. Many (16% of respondents) said that they use the Monday 6:45 am ferry to commute to Malta (university). Another cohort (10.8%) of respondents said that they use the Sunday 16:30 service from Mgarr (Gozo).

“Students travel back to Gozo mainly on Friday. Many students (16.6%) responded that they use the 16:15 and 16:45 ferries to come back to Gozo, 10.2% said that they use the 19:45 ferry, whilst the 17:15 and 20:15 both are used 8.8% of respondents.

“The absolute majority of students believe that the X300 bus route from Cirkewwa to Valletta, only stopping at Qroqq and Kulegg Bus stops, should be reinstated. This was felt by 97% of total respondents. Furthermore, the absolute majority did not find the current bus routes available as dependable, with 93.6% saying no when they were asked about the reliability of the buses.

“69% of Students also agreed that the X1A bus route (Cirkewwa to University to MCAST Paola and vice versa) should be given more time slots. 31% said that they prefer the X300 bus route.

“Students are also willing to use transport organised by KSU/GUG and other entities if the current situation stays as it is. Around 88% of respondents said that they would use such a service.

“Students were also asked about their comments or suggestions about the situation. Many lamented that the fast ferry should be available and have more time slots in its schedule. Students also brought up the fact that X1 should be more punctual, and for the X1A to be allocated more time slots.

“Respondents also said that X300 should be reinstated daily, especially in the evening, as the commute back to Gozo can take up to a total of 3 hours. A solution to this was proposed, a form of an X1A stopping only at Paola (MCAST), University and Cirkewwa, without the stops that it currently has.

“This suggestion was based on the current X1A route from Cirkewwa to University and Paola, which has around 13 stops before arriving at University. A group of students found this to be irritating, thus suggesting the above suggestion, arguing that current circumstances of traffic make this less ideal.

“Respondents also shared the need for buses to wait for students if the ferries are running late. This can also make a significant difference to one’s commuting time, resulting in students arriving late to lectures.

“Regarding efficiency, respondents were also disappointed about the bureaucracy around the X300 schedule, which is not available online and no bus stops to be called.”

The GUG said that, “this is sent to us and we are still posting them to our social media despite meeting with transport Malta and them promising that they will post the schedule themselves.

“Regarding the X1 route, respondents brought forward the idea that this should be more frequent. This avoids the quite common case of buses of this route filled to the brim with tourists, given that it leaves from the airport and passes from touristic places such as St. Julian’s, Mellieha and St. Paul’s Bay, leaving Gozitan students and workers at bay stranded and hoping for the next one to have a few spaces.”

The GUG noted that “as could be clearly noted from the survey, many are appalled by the current fast ferry schedule. Such service should be catering for Gozitans working office hours ending work between 5 and 7pm in the evening and Gozitans that have lectures ending between 5 and 8pm.”

“We need reliable and effective transport. We are not second-class citizens. Gozo will become a population of people 60+. What will this do to our economy? Standard of living?”

The GUG concluded the survey notes by saying that “this comment feels highly poignant to the situation of Gozitan born students right now. These students feel proud of their mother island and thus feel for Gozo and would like to see it thriving with them living on it.”

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