Opposition to the idea floated by Gozo Minister Anton Refalo to introduce a priority boarding scheme on Gozo Channel vessels is growing with Gozitan NGOs against the idea.
The proposal was also vehemently slammed by former Labour Gozo MP Lino Debono – one of the founders of Gozo Channel – who called the system “anti-social” and not in line with the government’s “supposed socialist principles”.
“This is a very bad idea and should be completely scrapped,” an angry Mr Debono told Times of Malta. “I can’t understand who came out with this silly idea, although I think it’s some brainwave from the Gozo Ministry,” he said sarcastically.
According to Mr Debono, if Gozo Channel were to introduce priority boarding, it will be setting a very dangerous precedent, institutionalising a difference between Gozitans based only on their wealth.
“We will be creating a system that made a distinction between those who can pay and those who don’t. I am against such a system as these are not things which a Labour government should propose”, he said.
Information on the Gozo Ministry’s proposal is still sketchy.
When Times of Malta asked for details of the plans, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo would not reply.
However, sources close to the government said the Gozo Ministry wanted to introduce a priority boarding system on all Gozo Channel ships whereby vehicles and passengers who paid a premium on the normal fare would be able to jump the queue and board the vessel immediately.
According to the sources, the ministry’s aim is mainly commercial as it is estimated that the measure will mean some extra income for Gozo Channel, which is making substantial operational losses despite government subsidies.
Contacted for their position on the issue, many of Gozo’s NGOs, including the Gozo Business Chamber and the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, are against the idea. The only Gozitan organisation openly supporting it, even though partially, is the Gozo Tourism Association, which is in favour only if it is restricted to tourism operators.
“We have discussed the proposal even though formally we have not been consulted,” the president of the Gozo Business Chamber, Michael Grech, told this newspaper.
“In general, we have decided that the system should not be introduced as it does not really make sense in the prevailing circumstances where the Gozo Channel ferries are the only means of transport between the two islands,” he said.
The GRTU also slammed the idea with Gozo representative Michael Galea arguing that the system would not be fair and be open to abuse.
“The Gozo ferry service is also a social service and no discrimination should be introduced between those who can afford to pay and those who cannot,” he said. “What about workers and students who have to cross every day,” he asked.
“Priority boarding will only work against these Gozitans,” he said.
On the other hand, Paul Scicluna, president of the Gozo Tourism Association, said that tourism operators in Gozo were supporting the idea partially “as long as this will only be introduced for tourism operators”.
“We think that if some six parking places on the Gozo ferry service are reserved for tourists, particularly those with a Y-plate vehicle, it will be a good idea,” he said.
“A few tourists should have the privilege to jump the queue if they pay extra,” he said.
Gozo Ministry sources say the minister is insisting on the introduction of priority boarding and has also held meetings on the issue with various stakeholders.