Only one bid for operation of harbours ferry service
The Sliema ferries at the turn of the century.
Just one company submitted an offer to operate a scheduled ferry service linking Valletta to Sliema and Cospicua.
Transport Minister Austin Gatt said in Parliament that the call for tenders (issued in December) closed last February 16. Transport Malta issued its letter of acceptance to the bidder on March 29 and talks on the finalisation of the contract of service are currently being held.
When the call for tenders was issued, Transport Malta had said that the ferries would operate between Sliema and Marsamxett in Valletta and between Valletta and the inner part of Dockyard Creek in Cospicua.
The authority said the services were aimed at reducing land traffic, its associated costs and environmental impact.
"After a steep decline in the popularity of transportation by sea during the final quarter of the last century, the Sliema/Valletta connection has recently seen a steady increase in popularity. There are strong indicators that the volume of users, particularly tourists, can be increased further and well beyond the trips per day currently conducted during the peak season. Furthermore, albeit more challenging, the government is confident that it is possible to increase the popularity of this type of transport with locals," Transport Malta had said.
It added that the main objectives of the ferry services were the provision of a reliable service which would operate on a fixed time schedule, offered at a price and level of service aimed at stimulating its further increase in popularity.
This may necessitate initial financial compensation and exclusive use of strategic landing places until the volume of passengers reaches the desired level to become a profitable operation.
The service will complement other maritime transport such as water taxis and traditional boats (Dgħajjes tal-Pass) which have become increasingly popular over the last few years.
The contract will be for eight years.
There will be three landing places in Sliema (Sliema Ferries), Marsamxett near the waterpolo pitch) and inner Dockyard Creek (between the Regatta Club and the No 1 Dock area in Cospicua). A berth at Lascaris Wharf or Pinto Wharf will also be available.
A financial contribution would be expected from the operator from the fourth year onwards.
Free use of the Barrakka lift in Valletta would be offered for all ferry ticket holders.
The operator would be expected to operate two simultaneous services one in each harbour and a guaranteed minimum service all year round at a maximum interval of 30 minutes from each landing place, within a stipulated schedule as well as additional services to cover increase in demand, including during national holidays and events.
The tariffs can only increase once every three years.
Maximum fares shall not exceed €1.5 per trip for adults. Children under the age of 12, and holders of Karta Anzjan or Blue Card shall only pay 50c per trip.
The operator will be obliged to offer a weekly pass with unrestricted use for a maximum fee of €10.
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
No appeals board for first part of power...
26 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Saviour Fenech
Jun 13th 2012, 14:35
Maximum fares shall not exceed €1.5 per trip for adults. Children under the age of 12, and holders of Karta Anzjan or Blue Card shall only pay 50c per trip.
Why only Blue Card (persons with mobility difficulties), apart from Karta Anzjan, are being allowed a preferential rate (this is the same case with Arriva)? ALL persons with special needs (Yellow Card holders) are also disadvantaged persons as Blue Card holders. In fact ALL persons with special needs (Yellow Card holders) are allowed to travel at no charge on Gozo Channel ferries.
John Scerri
Jun 13th 2012, 07:40
''Just one company submitted an offer to operate a scheduled ferry service linking Valletta to Sliema and Cospicua.''
Is this the same one managing the water taxis at the moment ?
John Scerri
Jun 13th 2012, 07:37
Maximum fares shall not exceed €1.5 per trip for adults. Children under the age of 12, and holders of Karta Anzjan or Blue Card shall only pay 50c per trip.
Will the fares be the same for tourists?
Mr Tony Gatt
Jun 13th 2012, 09:01
I doubt it!
M. Attard
Jun 13th 2012, 07:34
Just build a bridge and you can easily walk it
Drocan Lubstuit
Jun 13th 2012, 08:01
Mr Attard By which stretch of imagination do you expect a bridge across the Grand Harbour to embellish and compliment the area? And also, which points do you propose the bridge to stretch between, Fort St Angelo and the Barrakka maybe? This bearing in mind that cruise liners sail in on a daily basis.
The fact that the Cottonera sea terminal is set between the Cospicua Regatta Club and Dock No 1 is perfect for all commuters of the three cities as it is midway between Senglea and Vittoriosa. Since the Vittoriosa bus passes from Triq il-Pellegrinagg in Cospicua, the terminal is also set en-route, but something will have to be done for the Senglea residents as their bus only passes from Pjazza Gavino Gulia, which will leave them with a good 10 minutes walk to the terminal. Needless to say that this will be longer for the elderly and people with special needs.
However, all in all, good luck for the project. My only hope is that the MMA/MTA (whichever authority is responsible) will hold periodic audit checks for set safety and customer care compliances. This especially since the tender has had only one contestant and the service period is quite long, 8 years.
Natalie Boehm
Jun 13th 2012, 00:00
It would probably increase the take-up of this service if an access path could be opened up along the apron in front of the old Drydocks buildings (presently gated-off) to the pontoon bridge across Dockyard Creek. That way people from the Senglea side of Cospicua could reach the landing stage much more easily.
Victor Pulis
Jun 13th 2012, 15:27
A better solution would be to construct a landing place along the Senglea water front like in the original ferry service. I remember boarding the ferry from Senglea when I was just about four years old.
G G Debono
Jun 12th 2012, 21:39
This was a very half-hearted attempt.
Unfortunately, even though we are surrounded by sea, we cherish the car to such an extent that we cannot conceive of any other way of moving from A to B.
The workshop on water transport at the transport reform seminar about 3 years ago was barely attended (just seven people! - out of hundreds of delegates ! ) and the main topic was water taxis. The question of a scheduled ferry service was not on the agenda at all.
Omission of this option is truly surprising when one considers that Malta is surrounded by water and that
we have extensive harbours on either side of the Valletta peninsula which are surrounded by densely populated areas- 20 % of Malta’s population.
See p 23 et seq of the report on http://www.tppi.org.mt/cms/images/reports/into%20the%20future%20dec%202011.pdf
Mark Jones
Jun 12th 2012, 21:12
A few days ago some heavy-handed TM officials descended upon Sliema Ferries, insisting that water taxi operators wore white shorts. One man was given one hour to go to a shop, buy some appropriate shorts or lose his licence. Another operator was banned for two days for some minor clothing irregularity.
It is frightening to read that the secret bidder may have 'exclusive use of strategic landing places until the level of passengers reaches the desired level.' We can see where this is going: the private firms currently providing a service will be ousted from any remunerative spot so that TM's unnamed bidder enjoys a protected monopoly.
No doubt there will be back-handers and other rewards and favours changing hands liberally while people's legitimate businesses are threatened.
Andrew James Brown
Jun 12th 2012, 20:22
the government is confident that it is possible to increase the popularity of this type of transport with locals
what is needed is parking in Sliema, I would gladly leave the car there and hop on the boat if there was cheap and easy parking
walter camilleri
Jun 13th 2012, 07:45
As two others have already pointed out, the Marsamxett landing stage needs a lift extension, possibly at the ex-Valletta water polo club.
As it is, it is a very long and tiring walk up the Marsamxett tunnel, then uphill through St Mark and then Melita streets. Practically impossible for all in high Summer, and, for the older generation, unattractive at all times.
Nevertheless, I am sure the installation of a lift will happen as the ferry service takes off - it is just a pity that nobody has seen fit to think of it before issuing the tender fort the Sliema ferry service.
It is worth mentioning that at the turn of the century, service used to extend to St Julians during the summer months. I have seen pictures of a landing stage and ferry at Balluta, and my mother used to tell me of their "adventures" as young children taking a trip to there to Valletta and back!
A summer round trip hop-on, hop-off service as in Venice, running perhaps from St Julians, Tigne Point, Ferries, Customs House, Senglea and Cospicua seems very attractive to residents and tourists alike.
Walter Camilleri
Victor Pulis
Jun 12th 2012, 20:21
What about Senglea passengers? Why not include a landing place at Senglea wharf? The landing place near the Cospicua regatta club places it on the other side of the creek necessitating passengers from Senglea to walk all the way to Cospicua. Transport Malta get this one right at least.
J Galea
Jun 13th 2012, 08:06
Good point. Can we see Tm respond to this please?
Mr Mike Farrugia
Jun 12th 2012, 20:16
Whatever happened of the floating bus that was tested in MarsaXlokk?
Kev Samut
Jun 12th 2012, 22:36
Good question asked Mr.Farrugia but also I would like to ask how much will the fare cost if this bus is used as it should? Are people willing to pay a hefty fee?
I wonder.
Manuel Zammit
Jun 12th 2012, 19:53
The Sliema/Marsamxett ferry needs motor transport from Marsamxett to a central place Valletta. People with young children and people with mobility problems find the uphill trek very uncomfortable if not impossible. A minibus service coinciding with the arrival times of the ferry - even for a small additional fee - will make the service complete. This will complement the free lift service offered on the other side of the harbour.
PAUL BUSUTTIL
Jun 12th 2012, 19:46
Until a lift or covered moving staircase ( This exists in Reggio approx 600mts long crossing 8 blocks of buildings ) is installed between Valletta Marsamxette and Republic street not alot of people would opt to use the water transport!
Joseph Sammut
Jun 12th 2012, 19:40
Why isn't the name of the tenderer mentioned: a letter of acceptance has been issued. Very strange.
oliver mallia
Jun 12th 2012, 19:32
Mux bil-fors jekk it-tenders tal-gvern ma jkun jaf bijhom hadd !
J. Abela
Jun 12th 2012, 19:40
DOC website. Keep yourself update.
Francis Coquelin
Jun 12th 2012, 19:48
Mela ghax ma tkunx taf bihom int tahseb li ma jkun jaf bihom hadd?
Wenzu Vella
Jun 13th 2012, 07:53
Francis jiena naqra it-times kull jum u sa fejn naf jien qatt ma rajt offerti ghal lanec ta pasiggieri flinhawi li hemm imsemijja fdan ir-rapport.
Dawn lofferti ghandhom ikunu marufa min kullhadd mhux min xi bazuzli ta gvernm biss.
Drocan Lubstuit
Jun 13th 2012, 08:41
@ Oliver Mallia & Wenzu Vella
The Government of Malta has its own publication run by the DOI, in the form of the Governement Gazette. Moreover with today's IT progress the DOI site has also the facilities for all visitors within to check out for themselves the tenders listed by Governement departments, corporations, authorities and local councils.
http://www.gov.mt/frame.asp?l=2&url=http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/tenders/calendar.asp
Just because one reads a limited section of the media, has no excuse for not being informed enough. There is no obligation for the GM to advertise on privately-owned media, this will bring about excessive costs to the taxpayers and a problem of equality with respect to which private media will it advertise upon.
Joe Felice-Pace
Jun 13th 2012, 09:02
Kieku l-Gvern kellu jippubblika t-tenders kollha li joħroġ kull ġimgħa fil-gazzetti dawn jispiċċaw b'paġni sħaħ mimlijin bihom. U naturalment il-Gvern irid iħallas ta' dawn ir-reklami. Għalhekk hemm il-Gazzetta tal-Gvern. Minn dejjem kien li reklami jsiru fil-gazzetti f'każijiet rari.
oliver mallia
Jun 13th 2012, 23:33
Dear Lubsuit. The link you quoted does not even work !! @ Joe Felice Pace Jigifiri li it-tenders tal-gvern jhadmu fuq ir-rubini hux?
Please choose the reason of your report below: