Juan Ameen
Water transport service expected to ease car traffic in Grand Harbour area
The government aims to introduce water taxis similar to the one pictured above, which is used abroad.
If you like feel having lunch at Sliema before an appointment at SmartCity in Kalkara, you may soon be able to catch a water taxi or ferry service to reach both destinations on time.
The two services, launched by Transport Minister Austin Gatt yesterday, form part of the public transport reform.
Describing both initiatives as a great challenge, Dr Gatt said the two services should help ease traffic congestion while improving mobility within the Grand Harbour area without having to use a car.
A study will be carried out to earmark embarkation areas for the water taxis, which will be able to operate on a 24-hour basis. According to the regulations, published recently in the Government Gazette and backdated to March 1, the taxis will be able to carry a maximum of 13 passengers and should operate in all weather conditions.
The island has been divided in six zones and trips from one zone to a neighbouring one will cost €15 for two passengers and €7.50 for each additional passenger.
The fare is €5 for a trip in the same port for up to two passengers, with an extra €2.50 for each additional passenger.
Trips to other zones will cost €40 for up to two passengers and €10 for each additional passenger.
Tours around the island will cost a maximum €40 per hour for two passengers and an extra €10 per passenger or hour.
Boats licensed by the Malta Maritime Authority will ferry passengers from one point to another. Operators and the crew will also need a licence issued by the authority.
MMA CEO Stanley Portelli said the ferry service should start running within a year, adding that the authority was negotiating with the company that won the tender. However, he said, if an agreement was not reached, the authority was ready to initiate the service itself.
The service would operate between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and the fare should be about €1 with a discount for the elderly, students and frequent users, Dr Portelli said. A number of embarkation areas have already been identified, including Sliema, Gżira, Valletta, Haywharf, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Kalkara.
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Clive Gerada
Mar 29th 2009, 17:11
I bet it would make more sense to have Water Buses going from Marsascala to Karkara, 3 Cities, Marsa, Valletta, Sliema and St.Paul's. So let us say that you need to go from Marsascala to Sliema, you get Ferry Number 64 and it takes you directly there. Also companies can invest in buses like these to transport workers instead of staying stuck everyday in that traffic in Addolorata Cemetery bypass...
As regards to weather conditions one must take care as well!
M Borg
Mar 28th 2009, 09:23
Theoretically this is a good idea. But i can bet that in practice, it won't survive, and i have my reasons:
1) the fee is quite expensive when compared to bus service. Acknowledge that this is a Taxi service, but what is the demand for such a service?
2) the person/s/board or whoever came out with the idea, don't know what it means "all weather conditions". Am sure they are neither Gozitans nor ever ventured to Gozo in a Grigalata! How come that a boat is 'obliged' to travel from Grand Harbour to Marsamxett in a Grigalata?
3) Can these boats/taxis operate to Gozo? Now that the plan is to liberalise public transport, and the fact that the EU does not permit Monopolies, can these boats start operating between the two islands, and not only from the Grand Harbour/Marsamxett area, but also from Cirkewwa to Gozo?? This will surely be a viable business, especially in Summer (unless they are bind to operate in all conditions !!!! )
v.pulis
Mar 27th 2009, 19:12
The idea is commendable and long over due but in my opinion the fee is prohibitive. I cannot imagine spending 5 euros (Lm 2.14c) for two persons to cross from say Senglea to Valletta when a bus trip for the same number of persons costs 94euro cents (40 cents) by the way, how much is the fee for one person? furthermore, the taxi shown in the picture is not suitable for crossing from grand harbour to marsamxett harbour. Anyone who's ever been outside the breakwater in slightly rough weather will tell you that the shown boat will find it tough going and I pity the passengers who get caught in a swell. prepare your barf bags!
L..Galea
Mar 27th 2009, 17:07
Joe Cassar You are both correct. The boat in the picture looks like it was made to travel on rivers not on the open sea.
Albert Bezzina
Mar 27th 2009, 16:54
I had suggested, in my report on public transport, the use of amphibious buses which cross Grand Harbor from Cottonera to Valletta, drive on shore, cross over the Floriana/ Valletta isthmus, back into the sea near the Excelsior Hotel and on to Sliema and Gzira. These buses are expensive, an alternative is to have a shuttle service to connect Grand Harbor boats with Marsamxetto boats but efficiency and popularity would likely diminish. The ferry boats should not venture out of the ports. Amphibious busses can take the long road route in case of really inclement weather.
A Anderson
Mar 27th 2009, 13:38
A good idea - a 'bit' on the expensive side.
Can boats be same price as busses - although I realise these are 'taxis'?
Paul Barrett
Mar 27th 2009, 11:33
Tours around the island will cost a maximum €40 per hour for two passengers and an extra €10 per passenger or hour.
I wonder at what speed they will travel and how long it takes to get right around the island by boat?
I wish I could make Euro 150 per hour (13 x pax x Euro10 per head plus Euro 20)
Joe Cassar
Mar 27th 2009, 10:42
I came across the following comment posted on the site http://www.il-pjazza.com/forum/index.php?topic=5478.msg363613#msg363613
"This project is simply not practical unless they find a way of connecting Grand Harbour and Marsamexett without rounding St Elmo point. The guy who dreamt this up has no idea what the sea is like out there when even a moderate Grigal or Majjistral is blowing. Or else he has a commission from the agent who imports sea-sickness pills.
And I speak from about 27 years of personal experience."
----------------------------
I have to say I agree perfectly with the gentleman who wrote that.
Joseph Pace
Mar 27th 2009, 10:23
Very good idea indeed. But the prices are without any doubt high if this is intended to be used by Joe Public, and not the average 'sta bene'.