Gozo’s main transport issues

Reference is made to the letter Gozo Transport by Victor Battistino, senior manager, Transport Malta (May 31).

... a leaner, customer-oriented Gozo Channel... will guarantee future successes for Gozo and Gozitans- Franco Mercieca, Qala

Mr Battistino made reference to an article featuring details about a conference, organised by my team, in which various challenges and proposals were discussed vis-à-vis transport issues directly affecting Gozo and Gozitans. Mr Battistino made specific reference to our “travel card” proposal in which we are proposing an “Oyster card” type of pass for all frequent travellers between Gozo and Malta and not exclusively for students as Mr Battistino tries to imply in his letter.

May I take this opportunity to clarify our proposal further to avoid repeat instances as in Mr Battistino’s case. Our proposal, which needs to be studied further, is to create this type of frequent traveller card that will incorporate public transport travel, ferry services and other amenities such as park and ride schemes etc. Our idea is that such card will minimise inconveniences being encountered by Gozition students, workers and all frequent channel travellers every time they need to queue up for that ticket or the other. Such card will encourage fellow travellers to shift to public transport rather than use private cars that cause parking issues at Mġarr. Hopefully, such card will also deliver cost benefits as described by Mr Battistino himself. It will hopefully contribute to alleviate a small part of the daily challenges that frequent channel travellers encounter.

Finally, such proposal should be seen in light of a package of proposals that we’re raising for discussion that include various aspects relating directly to transport between the islands. We are pushing forward for better coordination between all major transport providers in relation to better planning of schedules. Secondly, we’re also proposing an e-Gozo Channel, specifically a company that reflects today’s needs; a company that will gradually introduce pre-bookings. Pre-bookings will create demand forecasts to the provider and maybe even additional revenue streams, peace of mind to the traveller as well as cost benefits to the business community.

We are also proposing a real time web portal that will deliver live updates to the traveller on the go. We are proposing a leaner, customer-oriented Gozo Channel that will guarantee future successes for Gozo and Gozitans. We’re doing this without looking at yesterday, taking stock of what we have today and looking forward for what we want to achieve tomorrow.

I hope the above helps The Times’ readers to better understand one of our proposals that came under attack by Mr Battistino and Transport Malta.