Gozo Channel has revised its controversial winter timetable after consulting Gozitan associations and evening services will run more frequently as from Monday, according to sources.

There will now be services from Mgarr harbour at 7.30 p.m., 8.45 p.m., 10 p.m., 11.15 p.m. and 12.30 a.m., while the ferry will run from Cirkewwa at 9.15 p.m., 10.30 p.m., 11.45 p.m. and 1 a.m.

The news will come as a relief to the many who protested against the new winter schedule which created gaps between evening ferry departures of up to two hours and 45 minutes.

The winter schedule had come into effect on September 29 and was due to run till January 4. However, the Ministry for IT and Investment and Gozo Channel responded to the complaints from both sides of the water by revising the timetable three weeks before the other one was due to expire. The new schedule will run until February 29.

The whole timetable has been restructured. There will be hourly trips between midday and 3 p.m. from Mgarr and Cirkewwa instead of every 45 minutes. However, two trips have been added to the evening service.

The first trip shall leave Gozo at 5 a.m. instead of 5.15 a.m., a move designed specifically for the convenience of people wishing to catch an early flight from Malta International Airport.

When contacted, Gozo Tourism Association secretary Joe Muscat said the new timetable was a "good improvement" on its predecessor, though he added that it was a shame it had taken so long to be revised. "However, there are still fewer trips than there were last year and we would like the service to become more frequent. The aim is to try and improve on what we have, not vice versa," he said.