Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 September, 2024 at 1:06 pm by Andre Camilleri
The Ministry for Transport together with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning have announced enhancements to the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo, which will result in more frequent trips among other improvements.
Starting from 1 October, the existing fast ferry schedule will be extended to operate throughout the entire year.
A government statement said that following discussions with the service operators, government will spend €1.3 million to ensure the fast ferry schedule remains fixed and does not change from one period to another.
Additionally, there will be an increase in trips between the Grand Harbour in Valletta and the Mġarr Harbour in Gozo.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett said that three years after the government fulfilled its promise and introduced this service, efforts are continuing to improve it. He reiterated his commitment to maximizing the potential of sea transport.
“I believe the sea is an underutilized mode of transport in these islands. Therefore, government is addressing this niche with the aim of making it a top priority in Government’s broader strategy for transport and mobility,” Bonett said.
Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri said that since the introduction of this service in the second quarter of 2021, the fast ferry service has seen growth in the number of clients using it to travel efficiently and safely between Gozo and Valletta.
“In its first year of operation, the fast ferry transported around 365,000 passengers. During 2023, this number rose to 693,000, and in the first six months of this year, the service has already been utilized by more than 409,000 people,” Camilleri said.
He continued that this confirms how much this service, which some were sceptical about and had criticized, is in demand, and for obvious reasons.
The operators of Gozo Highspeed LTD emphasized that they welcome this government initiative, which will meet the needs of the Maltese, Gozitans, and tourists.
“As the operators of the Fast Ferry, we have received very positive feedback about the service, and we are certain that this initiative will guarantee an even more efficient service for all our clients,” they said.
