Lino Briguglio, Sliema
Water taxis between Malta and Gozo
Answering a parliamentary question by Labour MP Owen Bonnici, the Prime Minister said the government is ready to consider any proposal for fixed-wing operations between Malta and Gozo, so long as it is economically and environmentally sustainable (October 25). The chances are that it will not.
A cheaper and possibly commercially viable option is to introduce the service of fast water taxis between Malta and Gozo, departing from main commercial centres, such as Sliema, Valleta and Qawra. These could carry business commuters and other visitors quickly to and from Gozo, not only because of the speed of the water taxis but also because the service would not necessitate a long drive to Ċirkewwa and a long wait in the queue. If there is competition, the service will also be relatively cheap. This possibility was proposed in the report Special Needs Assessment Study for the Island of Gozo (of which I was one of the authors) but the idea has not been taken up yet.
This may be possibly due to that fact that the channel is practically monopolised by one firm. If the water taxi service is to be introduced, competition is essential and more than one company should be allowed to operate.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
6 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
GIOVANNI RIZZO
Oct 27th 2010, 13:16
ONCE THIS WATER TAXI THING IS IN FORCE,ONE EXPECTS THE SAME WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT GOZO.
PROSIT SUR BRIGUGLIO.
Peter Paul Bonnici
Oct 27th 2010, 12:35
Many of us remember that there existed a service delivered by a small catamaran operated by Gozo Channel from Sa Maison, Qawra and finally to Marsalforn. I wonder why the service was discontinued... Maybe patronage declined, rendering the service unsustainable. A cost-benefit exercise needs to be made to revamp the service once again. Maritime transport is considered much cheaper for commuters making use of the service.
c. bartolo
Oct 27th 2010, 12:01
excellent idea..... i often travel to marsalforn... with a fairly priced water taxi service i could be delivered directly to il menqa, not needing to use my car at all... makes a lot of sense
M G Vella
Oct 27th 2010, 11:43
I prefer having a taxi drive from Sliema to Cirkewwa than a wet, bumpy and much longer trip on a water taxi to Gozo.
Alfred Grech
Oct 27th 2010, 11:09
A medium sized catamaran leaving Valletta - stopping briefly in St Paul's Bay area - will definitely be of great help.
I still don't believe that air service will be practical since it will only carry a very small number of passengers.
Next question is - when will a decision be made?
James A. Tyrrell
Oct 27th 2010, 11:07
Excellent idea Lino. Lets hope that those in power take note of this rather than the silly fixed wing air link which would totally destroy the tranquillity of Gozo.