Victoria mayor Vivienne Galea Pace said that with the latest revision of its ferry timetable, Gozo Channel, while saving on fuel and and other expenses to ensure the company's future and that of its employees, has provided the public with a better service which has been welcomed by all concerned.
After considering the feedback from various quarters, the company has now staggered the times of certain trips and added another one, she said.
The new ferry schedule, which came to effect earlier this month, has replaced the 45-minute intervals with hourly trips between noon and 3 p.m. from Mgarr to Cirkewwa. Another two trips have been added after 7.15 p.m.
"This is a step forward compared to the timetable issued a while ago, however it is still a step backwards as regards the traditional schedule," John Magro, president of the Gozo Business Chamber, said.
The Gozo Tourism Authority believes that the revised ferry schedule respects the needs of Gozitan tourism, even though the crossings are fewer than those of last year. This was stated by Joe Muscat, secretary of the GTA, who explained that the GTA and Gozo Channel had discussed moving the 5.15 a.m. crossing to 5 a.m. and the 45-minute gap between the day and night trips.
He said that the evening trips will definitely help the tourism industry in Gozo, especially during the winter season.
"The GTA welcomes the change in the Gozo Channel ferry timetable and notes with satisfaction that most of its proposals were implemented," he said.
Paul Scicluna, who is involved in tourism, said that although the new timetable caters better for tourists, there are three trips fewer than last year's. There is a need to improve the service, he added, because Gozo depends on it.
Samuel Azzopardi, president of the Gozitan University Group (GUG) said that the new schedule is suitable and practical for students. He also insisted that had dialogue between the interested parties taken place before the introduction of the previous controversial timetable, the latest result could have been achieved then.
Notary Jean Paul Grech, who organised a petition to have the previous timetable revised, believes that the new schedule is a step in the right direction. He said that the rescheduling of the night trips will benefit commuters as well as Maltese trippers. "One could ask why there was the need was felt to reschedule the afternoon trips, but all in all it is better than the previous one," he said.
He added that introducing the new timetable during Yuletide should also make the island more accessible to those wishing to spend their Christmas holidays in Gozo.
However, he added, rather than reducing the number of evening trips or, even worse, attempt to increase tariffs, unnecessary administrative expenses should first be capped.
Margaret Magrin, the General Workers Union Gozo representative, said that although there is some improvement compared to the previous schedule, there are still fewer trips than in last year's timetable.
She also referred to the fact that the ferry does not wait for public transport. "The services given by Gozo Channel are essential and one might say provide the lifeline between the islands, except for the helicopter services which, however are beyond most people's pockets. We don't have to suffer because the Gozo Channel is making a loss," she said.
She questioned whether those using private cars or smaller commercial vehicles will be discriminated against, since priority boarding will be given to the first eight commercial vehicles over five metres between noon and 2.45 p.m. She said an extra trip should be held to accommodate such vehicles.
Following a stormy meeting held by the Gozo Business Chamber last November, Gozo Channel has decided to withdraw its membership of the Gozo Business Chamber. Sammy Rapa, a member of the Gozo Channel board has also resigned as chairman of the Gozo Tourism Association.
Meanwhile, industrial action, ordered by UHM, regarding services of baggage trailers is still going on at Gozo Channel.