3 comments so far.Gozitan workers question “usefulness” of proposed Gozo tunnel
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The Association of Gozitan Employees in Malta has described the introduction of the fourth Gozo Channel ferry as a “resounding success,” which, it said, “has positive effects on the everyday commuting of Gozitan employees working in Malta.”
AGEM in a statement, said that it questions the “usefulness of the proposed tunnel project between Malta and Gozo given the success experienced with the ferry in these last months.”
The Association has called on the relevant authorities to publish all studies (once ready) related to the construction of the tunnel to “ease scrutiny.”
AGEM said that it believes that these studies should “not only focus on the environmental and financial viability of the project but also take into consideration the impact of having the fourth ferry operating on full-time basis.”
The AGEM argued that “not only does the fourth ferry contribute to reducing to the bare minimum the long car queues and the terrible traffic jams at Cirkewwa, but also helped to reduce the actual travelling time of commuters to and from Malta.”
“The hardships are also now limited that are experienced by Gozitan employees working in Malta,” it said. In addition, AGEM also thanked, what it described as “the extremely helpful and cordial crew staff of the Nikolaus ferry.”
The Association went on to say that it is “extremely satisfied” with the current Gozo Channel timetable and the frequency with which all the four ferries are working.
“It is evident that in the drafting of the timetable, the exigencies and the hardships of Gozitan employees working in Malta were taken into consideration,” it added.
The latter helped to “significantly reduce the waiting time” to and from Malta, the Association said.
The Association also pointed out that thanks to the revised ‘Gozo Resident Workers Subsidy’ including the `Collective Transport Subsidy’ they have helped to alleviate some of the financial hardships faced by the Gozitan employees working in Malta.
AGEM concluded by saying that is “strongly committed to continue working with all relevant authorities, especially the Ministry for Gozo, to continue to ameliorate the working conditions of all Gozitan employees working in Malta.”
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If the fourth ferry has brought to normality the travelling between our two islands how more efficient and easy will a Fast ferry to Valletta etc make travelling between the islands. Surely 4 ferries and a Fast ferry will erradicate and annihilate even the thought of building a tunnel.
I agree !!!
And with the money was planning for the Tunnel buy the Property ” White Rocks ” and build a student home and weekly using flats for Malta workers .
I think that the tunnel is just a means of making money for the investors without improving the lot of the commuters. A train tunnel with associated lines on each side is less in outlay and much more sensible. Also much cheaper. Take experts advice.