The Gozo Tourism Association has expressed its concern that the electoral pledge and a recent budget measure to offer a fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo, has been dropped following a change in policy.
In a statement, the Association said that it acknowledged the fact that inter-island sea connectivity has “improved considerably” with the introduction of the fourth Gozo Channel ferry last year.
However, it pointed out that “the proposal of a fast ferry service was meant to link Mgarr Gozo and the Grand Harbour in Valletta.”
The GTA added that the service was also intended to be used by the Gozitan frequent commuters and especially those working in Valletta or the neighbouring areas. Furthermore, it was to be a fast, nonstop connection of approximately 45 minutes between the two islands.
It argued that “the aforementioned objectives of the fast ferry service are now no longer being given the desired due priority.”
As through the latest tender issued by the Government, the proposed ferry service caters for a hop-on, hop-off facility from various ports in Malta and including Gozo, which is completely the opposite of a fast ferry service, it said.
The Gozo Tourism Association went on to say that it believes that this infrastructure – as was needed some 30 years ago when such a service was available between Mgarr and Sa Maison – is even more of a must these days with 3300 Gozitan workers commuting daily through heavy traffic on the mainland.
The stressed that it has always been in favour of more access to Gozo and it believes that the fast ferry service will mitigate the double insularity of Gozo.
The Gozo Tourism Association concluded by appealing to the Government to reconsider this change in policy, since as stated “the door is not completely closed for the fast ferry service,” and revert back to the original proposed and accepted measure of a non stop fast ferry service between Mgarr and Valletta.
Photo by Alain Salvary
4 Comments To "GTA expresses concern over dropping of proposal for fast ferry service"
#1 Comment By Dietmar Treptow On August 7, 2020 @ 1:06 pm
a non stop fast ferry service between Mgarr and Valletta.
.. and it is much cheaper than a dangerious tunnel !!!
#2 Comment By Lino DeBono On August 7, 2020 @ 2:28 pm
i NEVER AGREED WITH THE proposed fast transport service. We had experienced this sort of service twice in the past. The first was run by the Alascafi from Marsalforn to Sliema, etc, with a price tag of 5 shillings. After a few months it was disbanded.
Later another trial was made from Mgarr to Malta by a Catamaran. This also lasted for some months and it also was disbanded due to lack of travellers.
Could this service have been “Third Time Lucky?”. I doubt it.
#3 Comment By Dietmar Treptow On August 7, 2020 @ 8:20 pm
Lino .
All good things come in threes.
Now is the right time .
#4 Comment By Slide On August 8, 2020 @ 1:09 pm
Gozo will get only promises .Our politicians have no shame to fool around with Gozitans. After all now more than ever Gozo has become a second class senior citizen island. The service has decreased dramatically instead of improving . Heliport closed, Sa Maison commercial service no more, the ferries we have too slow and we are renting one at an extraordinary price.