George Cremona, Victoria
The never-ending struggle for Gozo
Ron Johnston (Tunnel Is Way Beyond Malta’s Means, March 12) may wish to know some facts dealing with accessibility between the two main islands of which he seems to be unaware.
A high-speed passenger craft was in use as early as the 1960s by means of an Aliscafo service which used to cross from Mġarr Harbour to the Grand Harbour in Valletta in 30 minutes.
In the late 1980s, a hovercraft service was introduced by Gozo Channel, again making the crossing from Gozo to Sa Maison in 30 minutes. In the mid-1990s, Gozo Channel became the owners of a catamaran, seating some 240 passengers and also being able to cross the same distance in 30 minutes. During the latter part of the 1980s and during the 1990s daily trips were performed between Sa Maison and Mġarr carrying cargo to and from Gozo.
Again in the late 1980s and in the 1990s an air link was established between Luqa Airport and the heliport at Xewkija, which was operational for the best part of a decade. Three new vessels commissioned in the mid-1990s and purposely built to operate in the Gozo Channel and beyond also merit a mention. Since then three of the services mentioned above have stopped, namely the fast service by sea, the daily cargo trips and the air link. This goes to show that the services providing further accessibility between the two main islands in the Maltese archipelago have in actual fact over the past years declined in numbers and quality of performance.
That was the time when Gozo and Malta were better linked than ever, around the clock through a good, efficient, high-speed service working regularly with very small intervals on land, sea and air and catering for all kinds of Gozitans’ needs.
The services made both Gozo and Malta more accessible for Gozitans, Maltese and foreigners holidaying in Gozo in greater numbers. Such initiatives contributed in no small measure to making Gozo attractive for new investments that created hundreds of new jobs resulting in higher standards of living for the Gozitans in Gozo itself.
It is a pity that most of such initiatives are no longer with us. All that was lost or, to put it straight, taken from us can be regained. But only if we stand steady, united and resolute in the never-ending struggle for what Gozo and we Gozitans rightly deserve and stand for.
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Pule' Carmel
Apr 2nd 2011, 21:55
I believe a modern wave pearcing trimaran carrying 50 to 100 people could be a viable transport water craft between Mgarr Gozo and the Grand harbour Malta. Economic speeds would necessitate a 45 minute Journey. I am prepared to build a half size prototype at the University to prove the point. It would be a good educational exercise for both Engineering Marine department at the University and deck boys at the maritime institute MCast. Any sponsors? I am willing to put all my efforts into it. Please contact the Rector if anyone is interested.
peter barbara
Apr 2nd 2011, 17:29
There are hundreds if not thousands of islands in the Mediterranean (take Greece for example). The most plausible solution has always been a ferry crossing, even in the Northern countries of Europe where the weather and the sea are different than the Med. Anyway I would never bet a penny on such a mega project (or white elephant) seeing the light of day. At the end of the day, I think reason and common sense will prevail.
C Cassar
Apr 2nd 2011, 14:40
The Gozo ferry is the bargain of European ferry crossings. Isle of Wight in England is similar distance from the mainland and yet a car will cost £90 (€110) at least. Those in Gozo should stop moaning since they also get a discount which I'm sure is illegal within EU law (I hear it's being looked at right now by the EU).
If someone doesn't like the situation in Gozo then that person should move to Malta or wherever more convenient.
Gozo is a vacation island and those who live there are in denial if they can't acceptthis fact. Gozo will never attract any form of large business investment because Malta is much more suitable for that and that will always be the case.
There will never be a tunnel, an airstrip or anything else except for a ferry service that is in place right now.
W Spencer
Apr 2nd 2011, 19:44
WRONG !!!
The Isle of Wight Ferry service is very different than the Gozo - Malta ferry service.
The charge for two passengers with vehicle, for the one hour each way IOW - Hampshire trip is from £36 return fare. The lounge and dining areas are far more comfortable than the Gozo ferry. There is a nice Bar on board, passengers can purchase a FRESHLY cooked meal, and the used crockery / cutlery is collected within minutes by polite, cheerful staff, who then sanitise the tables, and have a quick word with the passengers.
John Azzopardi
Apr 2nd 2011, 13:44
stop complaining all of you. the gozo ferry is not a bad deal. Many countries bigger than ours don't provide the same good services the gozo ferries provide to the maltese and gozitans. Where are you going to get a ferry coming and going in just half an hour. Please, stop compaining so much.
Simon Oosterman
Apr 2nd 2011, 13:27
All those connections were lost, or taken away, because they lost too much money. For the same reason a bridge or tunnel will not be built. There is just not enough demand to make it viable. Better facilities in Cirkewwa and, as demand increases, higher frequencies is all that is realistically possible.
wally vella-zarb
Apr 2nd 2011, 12:32
What Mr Cremona seems to omit is that "All that was lost or, to put it straight, taken from us" was only stopped because they did not make economical sense. While all the services he mentioned were indeed feasible, none of them were economically viable. The hydrofoil of the sixties, the Delfin, spent a great portion of its short life at the drydocks so that the surface-piercing foils could be maintained. The surface-effect vessel (not hovercraft) was not very fuel efficient on such a short trip. The air-links were a non-starter given that the helicopter (any helicopter) is one of the most fuel-guzzling aircraft ever produced, its major function being access to remote areas that have no facilities for fixed-wing aircraft.
Which begs the question: Why not have a fixed-wing service? Here again we have a solution that is perfectly feasible - but is it economically viable? Experience has shown that, while there is certainly a demand, such a service would not attract sufficient regular custom at fares that would make economic sense to the investor. How much is the private commuter prepared to pay when it is not his employer or the government that is footing the bill?
Christian Sciberras
Apr 2nd 2011, 10:19
But no one lives in Gozo, why bother? (sarcasm)
Joseph Calleja
Apr 2nd 2011, 09:14
There is nothing wrong with the Gozo Ferry crossing. Like I mentioned many times, if they ever finish the Cirkewwa Project things will be a lot better. By the way there seems to be some progress there except for the 2 accessible porta potties. (minus the toilet paper). Luckily my wife always carries a few extra tissues in her purse, lucky for me. Let us all forget the tunnel and the bridges and concentrate on finishing the Cirkewwa Project. What the Ferry needs is better customer service and a bit of courtesy and common sense.