Call for operation of Gozo ferry service out soon

Christian Sciberras

Dec 10th 2009, 10:13

"The three Gozo channel ships are doing a good job, and there is no need for an airlink either."

That sentence invalidates (the rest of) your credibility.

Mark Galea

Dec 10th 2009, 08:44

Gozitan brothers and sisters ... solution is easy ... ask our two main political parties to give their stand on the bridge issue - then vote for the party that includes it in the electoral programme - irrespective of blue or red. I have my political allegiance, but I would not think it twice to change party on such an issue.

Angelo Xerri

Dec 9th 2009, 23:42

I agree with J muscat, and I may add that that some sort of tax be allocated through the budget after all this is transportation for all Maltese and Gozitans. Use this tax to lower the fair on the Channel Boats and make the same fare for everybody. Transfer some of the work places to Gozo where Gozitans work to cut down on their travel. There is lots of Government places that can be operated from Gozo including clerical work, hospitals and medical treatment. Did anybody ever ran a survey how many Gozitans cross over to work in Malta per day and where they work, after all isn't this the country of surveys. It easy to say built a bridge or a tunnel but does anybody know how much land this require just to get to them and changing of roads on both sides of these Islands, a few square miles at least. It will be traffic jams on a bridge or tunnel also and on some days will be a whitewash.

Angelo Xerri

Dec 9th 2009, 17:42

Why we in Malta go in circles about bulding something. One day we are trying to save the view from Qala Belvedere by stopping a proposed project that will hide the Gozo Channel views.The next day we want a bridge to be erected in the same location. Does anybody know how ugly a steel bridge which will rust after two years of completion and what it does to this beautiful view between Qala and Mgarr. What about safety when transporting fuel of any kind to Gozo, close the bridge or tunnel until this is done, and if an accident happens either one can be closed for months until repaires are done. Are they earthquake safe, what about high winds in winter storms. The three Gozo channel ships are doing a good job, and there is no need for an airlink either.Imagine if all the proposed projects in Gozo are to be built what this tiny Island will look like. Naming a few, Ta-Cenc, Ramla Bay. Malsalforn Marina, Expending Qala Quarries, Qala Creek project at Hondoq Ir- Rummien, Road between Hondoq and Imgarr,Airport in Xewkija, and many more. After all this you say. I am going to Hell in Gozo.

C.Formosa

Dec 9th 2009, 17:16

@D.Bonello.
Excellent idea;
You choose.
ps Dont forget to pay too. ; )

evelyn Callus

Dec 9th 2009, 12:57

Min jghid li bridge m'hemmx bzonnu ghax ma jaqsamx ta' sikwit. Jiena u hafna ohrajn nuzaw dan is servizz ta' spiss u nista nghid li friday afternoon u weekends u anke fis-sajf nightmare bil queus li ikun hemm.
Bridge hu ovvja li jkun bil- hlas biex taqsam allura xorta ikun hemm tip ta' kontroll fejn dak li jkun joghqod naqra lura. Pero Ghawdex ghandu bzonn iqum fuq tieghu specjalment fix- xitwa fejn hafna mix- xoghol huwa limitat wisq, bl-ghawdxin li ikollhom imorru jahdmu Malta dejjem jizdied.

r ferriggi

Dec 9th 2009, 11:00

frankly, IMHO,,,,

a bridge is not needed. what is needed is for firstly, the monopoly to end, because it is totally distrupting gozos further developement.

secondly, as some one pointed out, leave gozo an island, as it is. this is important. the gozitans would be crazy to allow a bridge to be built!!

thirdly, we need a range of operators to cater for the various passengers, cars, trucks etc.
i repeat,,,, just go have a look at how the sicilian islands function. and probably all the greek islands.

in comparision, the current gozo channel service is a disgrace. apart from the fact that it is used as a political tool before elections.

Pierre André Aquilina

Dec 9th 2009, 10:25

Dear Hon. Fenech, Hon. Debono and Hon. Said,

Is it possible to obtain a copy of the report on the basis of which it has been established that there are "no grounds for having more than one operator"? I ask since I sincerely hope that this was not established on the mere basis of the fact that Gozo Channel has been operating (a monopoly) for thirty years.

Thanks.

mark coppini

Dec 9th 2009, 10:24

Well Done Ivan Attard.
My feeling completely.
I wish to remind Gozitans that a bridge which will link Gozo to Malta will also link Gozo to Malta!!! Think about that.
Imagine all the Maltese village festa xalati going to Ramla l-Hamra instead of stopping at Ghadira or Armier.
That would be fun.

r ferriggi

Dec 9th 2009, 10:05

i strongly recommend a service similar to that found between all sicilian islands.

the eolie, the egadi etc.

a service for passengers only, and lighter cars via aliscafi nd catamarans.

only then will busines increase, and the onopoly broken.

virtu ferries..... please go into this route for the benefit of the maltese!!!

S.CARUANA

Dec 9th 2009, 09:47

I totally agree, that building a new Bridge, would definately help in improving the social and economy of Gozo. People living in Gozo have to pass from alot of difficulties, crossing over to Malta by boat and vice versa takes alot of time and hassle. Alot of time is wasted in travelling.
I think that if a passenger had to travel to Sicily, that is Malta - Pozzallo a 1 hour trip is more comfortable than one had to travel between Malta and Gozo i can assure you, because most of the time is wasted at Mgarr Harbour and Cirkewwa in preparation for the depart.

Also such trips are not in time or are not as sheduled with Gozitan Employees working In Malta, especially those employees who happen to work on a shift basis such as Nurses, Policeman and other types of jobs. Alot of gozitans Employees arrive very late at night in Gozo due to this boat problem.

In My opinion alot of money is being wasted in maintenance of the boats to keep them running and in the long coming years, we realize that with the money spended we could have built the Bridge.

Mark Galea

Dec 9th 2009, 08:32

to all gozitans ...
start pressurising the large parties on the bridge ... and all floaters should vote to that party that includes it in the electoral programme.

joe micallef

Dec 9th 2009, 06:40

I think all of you are dreaming it,s nice to dream it,s nice to have a bridge a tunnel in Malta we don,t even have a proper Building like Gozo when you arrive or leave when you arrive in Malta in winter if it is raining to walk to the bus is a nightmare in summer you scorch with the heat I think the first think the government should do is to built the same thing like Gozo have.

p.grima

Dec 9th 2009, 01:57

I too would suggest a cable car (or aerial tramway). Vehicles would still have to be ferried across as always, but most passengers cross the channel without their vehicles. Cable cars work safely and smoothly no matter how rough the sea is. One can enjoy a panoramic view from the gondolas. They should eliminate seasickness, and docking problems.
Unlike what Charles Sammut said earlier, I would eliminate the "shuttle bus service between the two points on Comino".

One may want to check out the following site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spans#Aerial_tramways

Ivan Attard

Dec 9th 2009, 00:35

Will all who are in favour of building a bridge to link Gozo come down to earth please?
This is a HUGE pie-in-the-sky which will NEVER materialize given our state of finances and the mammoth costs of building and maintaining the bridge (or bridges, i.e Malta-Comino and Comino-Gozo).
Secondly if this would miraculously materialize say in 50 years time when we strike oil and are super-rich, then this would be the end of Gozo as we and the selective tourists who visit it know it. There would be no further point in going to another part of built-up Gozo! Result: the Gozo tourist industry will disappear or be on a par with that of Birzebbuga!!
Granted, ECO-Gozo is another huge Nationalist PIE-IN-THE-SKY but still all who love Gozo and SPEND their money there like me will NOT return and will sell their properties there.
So, once and for all, forget about this suicide-bridge for Gozo which is a mirage at least this century and leave Gozo DISTINCT from the mess which is Malta!
This is also for the great good of all Gozitans who I greatly respect - believe me!

C.Formosa

Dec 8th 2009, 22:27

@MrE.Bajada;
Interesting link, however;
Half the length required,
Built on hard land rather than deep sea,
All raw and construction materials available at site and not needing to be shipped.
Maybe a civil engineer woud care to guesstimate the cost, but I have a feeling it will be way beyond the €400 million spent on the French viaduct.
Who is willing to foot the bill for this extravagance?
What would the fare have to be to cover these costs?
€1.15?

Saviour Sam Agius

Dec 8th 2009, 22:23

There should be an express passenger only ferry to Msida or Sa Maison for students and workers working in the south of Malta. I'm pretty sure there would be a demand for it if it had to run at rush hours. Shuttle buses should then connect the ferry terminal to Valletta and the University.

Salvu

D.Bonello

Dec 8th 2009, 20:03

Have the Gozitans have their own say on the idea of a bridge between Malta and Gozo. Give Gozotans and only Gozitans the oppurtunity to vote, yes or no for a bridge. Than take it from there. If they say no than so be it no bridge. If yes than let the government do his due diligence and study the idea of a bridge.

E Grech

Dec 8th 2009, 19:25

To those who live in Gozo, I say wake up and do something sensible to give your children the same opportunities like those who live on the sister island, with much less hardship and sacrifice, if not for yourselves!

To those who live in Malta, I ask why do you tolerate a regressive mentality of isolation from a few who live in Gozo, whereby they still believe that Gozo is only theirs to enjoy?

An efficient link such as a tunnel or bridge will benefit everyone in this country, in different ways.....only the shortsighted cant see this, hopefully someone will take notice one day!

We are ONE country! I cant imagine anyone arguing against rebuilding the road to M'Scala, or to Cirkewwa! So why all this against the link between Cirkewwa and Mgarr?

Vince DeBono

Dec 8th 2009, 18:44

@ M Saliba Re point 7. You said 'At least start a debate.' !!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you realise that the debate has been going on for decades ! Including this blog. Like I said earlier, the point of this article is a tender for the (hopefully better ) running of the ferry service. The debating about a bridge will not lead anywhere . Suggesting an amelioration in the ferry service conditions is more useful and real.

Let me suggest something further to what I have already written. The new operator MUST employ wardens to ensure regulations are adhered to. They should be empowered to fine ON THE SPOT passengers who (eg) smoke, especially in the garage. They will also control the vehicles disembarking etc.

M Saliba

Dec 8th 2009, 16:45

1. A Bridge is not an eye sore. Most bridges are a work of art and embellish the surrounding scenery.

2. Fares will still control the crossing from Malta and keep a limit on traffic but will be sensitive to workers' needs.

3. The Gozitan economy is sucking on the Maltese one. If a bridge is built Gozo would be a far nicer place to visit for tourists and its economy will be self sustainable. Maltese people will cross often for leisure and the same goes for Gozitans which would result in a sort of balancing effect.

4. True there are maintenance costs. However did you include into the formula the amount of fuel which Gozo Channel Ships gulp?

5. More work will be generated and thus more help to the economy.

6. Transform Gozo channel ships into cargo/ passenger ships to sicily.

7. Please start a serious discussion about bridge building because Gozo citizens are fed up with all this commuting. At least start a debate.

Charles Sammut

Dec 8th 2009, 16:26

I am surprised nobody has suggested a cable car from Comino to Malta and from Comino to Gozo with a shuttle bus service between the two points on Comino.
Of course public transportation on Gozo would have to be improved. Gozo would be spared the extra car traffic and would not lose it's identity. The cost would be affordable and so would be the maintenance . Anyone that visits Manhattan can see how the residents of Roosevelt island get ferried across regularly to Manhattan using the cable car service. It's affordable and does not harm the environment. Making Gozo a mini Malta by building a bridge would be sagriligious.

emanuel bajada

Dec 8th 2009, 15:28

@c.Formosa-I recommend you go to this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct to learn more about bridges and make better your calculations.The Millau bridging lenght would be more than needed to span the gaps in the Gozo channel case. It is the highest (pylon+road) in the world, took 4 years to built and costed less than 400 million euro - almost the amount the Maltese taxpayer have forked out for the drydocks- exactly the same if you add the losss on the Fairmont.
Wrong you cannot compare the cost of the messina bridge, that is a single span bridge of 3900meters.In our case we will need a single span of around 400 meters between Gozo and Comino with the towers(pylons) in very shallow water- chickenfeed. Then bridging on pylons with no wire stays like the millau but more frquent pylons just breaking the water(as shipping would be passing under at Qala), yes most of them in deep water of 40-50 meters with managabile shorter spans on the Cirkewwa side.
Not in our lifetime! obviously they do not live on this side of the divide. I guarantee you all that I will cross the bridge in my lifetime even though I am past 50.

Michael Seychell

Dec 8th 2009, 15:16

Dom Mintoff had brougth over a japaneses team of experts to study such possibility, however they submitted a negative report due to the graet financial and technical difficulties to build a bridge in very deep waters, apart from the fact that if this were to happen Gozo would have lost its identity.

Another serious problem was that during weekdays there would have been relativley few cars/persons crossing over because of their work, whilst on weekends there will be traffic jams both in Malta and more so in Gozo.

There was a greater problem, regarding the crossing rate - toll payment - for cars and passengers, as this had to be so high that it would not have been feasable to build a bridge whose expenses will never be recouped, taking in consideration also its maintenace costs.

One may argue that to-day the technical problems may not be the same as in those years, but in all probability the price to build it, will be much higher thus making it more difficult to make it a profitable or at least a viable project.

Maybe this should be reconsidered If the Government can obtain financial grants/backing from the EU.

Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta

Robert Scullion

Dec 8th 2009, 15:04

A tunnel would be the best way forward.
Fairly unobtrusive to the landscape. Any removed earth can be used to reclaim land around the islands.
Increases access between Gozo & Malta without any weather issues.
Also if you make it wide enough you can install tram lines to connect Valletta - Airport - Gozo .. thus helping to reduce traffic.
Whether a toll should be in place is a seperate discussion, though I would personally be against that idea.

@Joseph Mifsud
That sounds such a simple idea re:tunnels

R Zammit

Dec 8th 2009, 14:21

When we as a one nation gonna mature! Most of us went abroad & wherever we go u have a choice by sea or tunnel or bridge,so what's wrong by considering to build either or,why all this hardship for all who do the daily traveling & waste of time. We always mumble & mumble and hardly achieve our goals and our competitors always ahead in all aspects even countries that in the 80's wer'nt geared for tourisim now a days millions go visit. Why we drag our feet & don't act so everyone can benifit @ the end of the day. If the government will seriously consider a bridge or tunnel will create thousands of jobs and gozo as an island will benifit in areas especially in tourism & most of the maltese will travel with ease & for the day to day usage the hardship will end. If all of us just for the sake of our country try to use the logic common sense will prevail.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 8th 2009, 14:11

Bring back 'Il-Bancinu'

Albert Farrugia

Dec 8th 2009, 13:56

@All those against the bridge:
Why would the "charm" of Gozo be ruined? Is England less "English" now that there has been a tunnel connecting to France for 15 years? Many people have this romantic image of Gozo which comes from the days of their childhood in the 60s or 70s. Something which does not really exist any more. And, by the same argument, we could say that the ferry operator's mission is to ruin Gozo as much as possible, since an ever better service means also more traffic. So please, be careful with your arguments. Ask the Gozitans who work in Malta and have to be at the ferryside at 5.30 AM latest, and dont arrive home before 7 PM. And this in fine weather days.

M.Borg

Dec 8th 2009, 13:44

For those who believe that a bridge does not need any maintenance are quite wrong, besides bridges need huge investments. In some countries you pay for using bridges and the size of the country needs to be taken into consideration. Considering the age and size of the Ferries, they continue to provide a good service for the short 20 minute trip. Some complain when the sea is rough but none consider that the service hardly stops. Perhaps those competing should realise this! For those with overseas ferry and long hours of commuting travel experience are able to compare like with like. Perhaps Maltese & Gozitans should realise the type of fares they pay and who says fast ferries would cost the same?

C Cassar

Dec 8th 2009, 13:38

I think there should be other services with smaller boats for those who do not travel with a car. These would also be much faster and could be more frequent than the existing larger ferries.

Some kind of hydrofoil craft. If you see the services that operate to the Isle of Wight (similar size & distance)in the UK, they have foot passenger only services as well as mixed foot & vehicle services.

C.Formosa

Dec 8th 2009, 13:32

To those dreaming of a bridge;
The Sicily-Italy brige with a total span of 3.6km is expected to cost around €3.8 BILLION .
Any guesses on how much a 4.8km stretch to Gozo would cost?
Maybe we can recover those costs with the €1.15 fares.
Come on guys, get real. I would love an aston martin but my japanese import still gets me around.
We have a pretty good service at a very reasonable cost which is better and cheaper than many island crossing arrangements I've tried elsewhere.
Stop whining.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Dec 8th 2009, 13:10

@Joseph Mifsud
Fantastic idea that of the tunnels !

Joseph Mifsud

Dec 8th 2009, 12:47

In Japan, they are building submerged tunnels. These consists of small precast tunnels put together over the seabed. Plenty of Japan's islands are connected together in this way. It only take meerly two weeks to connect two islands!

I do not know what is the fuss of not connecting Gozo to Malta! I worked for 4 years in Malta & know the hardships that a Gozitan worker passes everyday.

C Zerafa

Dec 8th 2009, 12:40

This is not good news at all. Surely, the whole point of liberalisation is to create a permanent competition which will drive the companies to increase the quality, reliability and punctuality of those services they are offering.

Having just one operator isn't going to help one jot because once the contract is awarded there would be no further competition for the duration of that contract and hence no reason to keep making the best effort every day.

The government should empower the consumer by giving them a daily choice of services which they can vote for by using the one which most meets their needs.

I am sure there should be small and fast boats for those daily commuters requiring an express crossing service and the larger slower boats for those with a leisurely schedule.

Jos Vella

Dec 8th 2009, 12:31

@J Muscat
I cannot agree with you that the bridge will ruin Gozo, I would say that who ever owns a car (ie afford to pay licence and fuel) can afford to buy a ferry ticket say once in a year. So the bridge or the ferry will still yield the same results and the bridge will not bring any ruin at all. The bridge increases mobility and efficiency; why does a Gozitan have to wake up at 5.00 in the morning to be able to reach work at 8.00? and why do people have to wait in pile ups waiting for the ferry. Sicily will be connected to Italy through a bridge within a decade; one can cross from Canada to the US through a bridge (Niagara Falls); the UK is connected to France through a tunnel under the sea and there is also the ferry (Dover to Calais). So why all this fuss to connect Gozo to Malta? Let's do it and care for the environment by ensuring that laws are enforced to protect the heritage in Gozo. No more procrastination please!!!!

Vince DeBono

Dec 8th 2009, 12:23

@ Michael Neville Cassar. My reasoning regards the bridge also applies to tunnels. Malta's limestone is porous and any techniques required for a tinnel would be costlier than eg the chunnel.

TO ALL. Forget Bridge, tunnel or airstrip. Please let's fix the ferry system.

PS. I do travel often on these ferries - not for fun. Not just once. Not just in summer

E. Grech

Dec 8th 2009, 12:11

Secondly why a bridge? Suppose we can afford to have a decent connection, tarmac all the way from Cirkewwa to B’Bugia. How many of you are against this? Suppose we have a decent road from Mgarr to Dwejra...how many are against? So, why the heck are you against a similar road from Cirkewwa to Mgarr? Just because it happens to be a bridge or tunnel or something similar?!! Are’nt we suppost to move liberally in our country with ease, why should we be happy that one important link is nearly broken? What is incredible is that some are happy with an “efficient ferry service” but are scared if it is too efficient like a road!

All other fears about ruining Gozo, or of an exodus of so called Maltese creatures coming to Gozo by the thousands, and similar reasons are just fear of the dark. Hopefully one day someone with a political will and foresight, will give the Maltese of Gozo their rightfull status, and not patronize us by calling us ghawdxin.....for the simple reason to differentiate from the Maltese.

E Grech

Dec 8th 2009, 12:10

It’s not about a bridge between Malta and Gozo. This term is utterly misleading though somewhat very simple at first glance. To begin with any structure will have both its ends or extremities in Malta. The structure is a connection between two physical points in Malta. Why is this important to notice? Because some have not yet came to terms with the fact that Gozo is part of Malta, the country.

This reflects also and is constatly driven home by people who are all the time talking about the maltese and gozitans. I never understood the need to mention Gozitans when one speaks about the Maltese. We never say the Italians and the Sicilians in the same breath, that would imply that the people of Sicily are inferior italians! So, lets wake up and realize that we have only one country to begin with! cont...

J. Muscat

Dec 8th 2009, 11:58

Anybody wanting to bridge Malta ta Gozo is only trying to bridge his/her short sighted vision. Gozo will not be Gozo anymore. All the benefits of a land connection will be overturned by the capital expenditure needed to make such a project and in the maintenance costs. I am sure there will be a decline in the touristic appeal of Gozo. We were unable to complete a 5 km road from Victoria to Gharb by overshooting a estimated cost by 100% how can we make a bridge which can cost millions of euros. Gozo needs investment and job opportunities to increase its economy. It has been proofed that an efficient sea link between the islands is the most economical and beneficial for Gozo. Gozo Channel played a very important role and we must not be disillioned that competition will be healthy and a private service supplier will do a better job. This is all myth. The Gozo service has to be cheaper for all Maltese and tourists so that it will be used more and more people will cross to Gozo. That's how to boost Gozo's economy.

L.Xerri

Dec 8th 2009, 11:50

Gozo desperately needs a bridge period... The idyllic vision of Gozo that some people here
on the blog put forward is long gone and the idea of an ''Eco Gozo'' is pathetic as every conceivable corner of the island is heavily built.Rural Gozo does not exist anymore...period
With the business comunity struggling to survive,with the increasing lack of oppurtunity for
the younger generation who is litteraly migrating to Malta to be able to make a decent living,
a permanent connection to the main island is vital if Gozo is to survive.We do not want to
become a retirement island,destined to die.We want to give our contribution to the Maltese
economy but we must have the same opportunities.

Johnny Xerri

Dec 8th 2009, 11:01

To all those against a bridge:

1. Do you frequently crossover to Malta to work or study?

2. Do you have family members that might be left jobless if the bridge materialises?

I use to live in Gozo but I had to leave to attend university, since 5hrs of travelling a day is too much for students. Leave home at 530am then the 6am ferry arrive at Cirkewa at 630 and arrive at univeristy at 8am (if lucky) then 2.5hrs back home. Thats 5hrs a day if im lucky

I resettled in Gozo when I started working, a car at cirkewa and 1 in gozo so I could crossover daily. After 1 month I rented a flat again in Malta. I got sick of arriving at 16:25 and the gozo channel leaves at 16:40, I arrive at 16:30 and the ferry would have left at 16:25. When I am early its late when Im just on time its early!!!

Most of the people who are against the bridge dont even travel. By the way ever heard of regional integration. All the EU is linked except Malta & Gozo.

Michael Neville Cassar

Dec 8th 2009, 10:10

Which is the cheaper to maintain a bridge, an underwater tunnel, or ferries? One has to take under consideration that Gozo is unique and very special, an under water tunnel will keep the beauty that these island’s has. At the same time anyone wishing to cross by a ferry can always do so.

R Agius

Dec 8th 2009, 10:06

@M Borg
Setting aside the issue of expense (minor issue that one!)...Gozo has a rural charm about it because it is a detached island. The self sufficiency in so many areas is what the Gozitan community built through the decades. Gozo is unique because of its detachment, otherwise it would have been no different to a Mellieha or a Marsaxlokk. If the two islands were interconnected that 'self sufficiency element' would, in my opinion, be lost and it would lose the elements that make it distinct.

In any event the cost would be prohibitive so the likelihood of this happening any time soon is so unlikely I doubt it will ever happen in my lifetime - if ever at all!

Vince DeBono

Dec 8th 2009, 10:04

@ Jos Vella et al. We and our parents' generation have discussed the bridge(I'm 50) !!!!! The technical difficulties of building and MAINTENANCE ( which we Maltese are generally incapable of ) will be reflected in costs. Taxes to build and tolls / taxes to cross. Even if the character of Gozo and Comino is unimportant, we simply do not afford a bridge...

Please everyone, stop talking about pigs flying. The bridge is an unattainable idea and is to be used 1) as party talk, 2) to needle Gozitans when striking up a conversation or 3) by politicians deviating our attention from real issues.

This newspaper article is about the Ferry Service.

Now, further to the ships' contract, I suggest that the contract should be linked to the provision of a suitable terminal - built as soon as possible - in Cirkewwa.

emanuel bajada

Dec 8th 2009, 09:41

As usual anything about Gozo draws a lot of prophets and experts about Gozo on this blog. I suggest that today any blogger commenting here would kindly declare 2 things about himself without exposing his private details -
1) what letter is his id no (M or G) and secondly which secondary school he went to in his teenage. Thus one knows where one's bias and interest is.
I am (M) and attended Victoria secondary and I say Bridge is the only solution.

M. Farrugia

Dec 8th 2009, 09:39

What is the use of spending millions of Euros in building and maintaining a bridge to join a do with a smaller dot.

M Borg

Dec 8th 2009, 09:35

@R Agius
This is the usual reply we hear to bridge proposals. Why should it "ruin" Gozo? We are not saying that the bridge would be free - it would have the same tariffs that are currently being paid for the ferries. Why should the presence of a bridge rather than a ferry ruin the charm of Gozo in such circumstances? Do you mean more Maltese will cross over? Why should they? If they need to go to hop over they will do so whatever the transport. If its just for a day jaunt, they will equally do so as spending an extra hour or so doing the crossing will not make a difference.

P Frendo

Dec 8th 2009, 09:14

@ H Galea
Thank you for your in depth analysis of free markets and the problem of providing a decent essential transport service between Gozo and Malta. Scrapping those three fine ships and replacing them with new vessels cannot possibly make economic sense. The expiry of the Gozo Channel Service contract was never a secret - the call is being made now but the notice of expiry is known to all and sundry.

oliver cini

Dec 8th 2009, 08:55

something to consider is also the huge investment the gov has done in the past in Gozo channel with that 50 Mil in new ships, new ground terminals etc etc etc, what about those did we get the return on investment.?

R Agius

Dec 8th 2009, 08:46

@Joseph Vella
.... and ruin all the charm of Gozo!!!

h galea

Dec 8th 2009, 08:39

If you want to liberailse the passanger service you don't give a couple of months notice,in my openion this is a trick so as companies will not have time to do their research and Gozo ferries will prevail for ever,and so to EU,you quote, No Body Was Interested. If you liberailse you don't put conditions, same as Enemalta.Where is the free market and competion.

Joseph Vella

Dec 8th 2009, 07:25

I think it's time we seriously start discussing a bridge, unless we want gozo to turn into a retirement island!