United front against Gozo fares hike

A meeting grouping the Gozo Business Chamber, the Gozo Tourism Association, mayors and representatives of the Church and constituted bodies has called for the revocation of the recent increases in Gozo ferry tariffs.

The Gozitan economy was going through different times with a lack of investment and substantial job losses. "The new increases will make the precarious situation even worse," the meeting agreed.

In a resolution, the meeting underlined the importance of the ferry link for the Gozitan economy.

It said the arbitrary action by Gozo Channel hindered implementation of the EU principle of freedom of movement of people and products since access to Gozo and from Gozo to Malta had become more difficult. The fare increases also negatively affected tourism.

The meeting concluded that any revision of tariffs should be carried out after consultations with interested parties and the service between Mgarr and Sa Maison should remain unchanged.

The meeting also asked why Gozo Channel was not supervised by a regulator.

The government was criticised for not including Gozo in the Trans-European Network, thus excluding Gozo from financial assistance through this programme.