Water taxi firms win first battle
Water taxi operators have temporarily stopped Transport Malta from bringing into force a port notice that, they say, would effectively bar them from offering their service. Joseph Gheiti, Johann Micallef and Ivan Zammit argue the notice would bar them...
Water taxi operators have temporarily stopped Transport Malta from bringing into force a port notice that, they say, would effectively bar them from offering their service.
Joseph Gheiti, Johann Micallef and Ivan Zammit argue the notice would bar them from berthing at Sliema Ferries, Marsamxett, Lascaris Wharf and the Inner Dockyard Creek.
The port notice they are contesting comes into force today, so yesterday they filed an application for a warrant to stop the transport watchdog from bringing it into effect.
The court provisionally upheld the request until the lawsuit they instituted yesterday is heard.
The operators are complaining that they had invested a lot of money to provide the taxi service but, because of the proposed port notice, they would not be able to berth in specific places in Grand Harbour.
They contend that this was “a clear attempt to stop water taxis offering services” in the areas.
The water taxi owners were represented by Daniela Mangion and Gabrielle Zammit.