Transport Malta has defended its order to ban water taxis from berthing in certain areas saying this was “reasonable and legal”.
The transport watchdog said the claim by three water taxi operators that its port notice was “illegal and unjust” was “unfounded”.
Through their lawyers Gabrielle Zammit and Daniela Mangion, Joseph Gheiti, Johann Micallef and Ivan Zammit argued the notice would bar them from berthing at Sliema Ferries, Marsamxett, Lascaris Wharf and the Inner Dockyard Creek.
The operators complained they had invested a lot of money to provide the taxi service.
But in its reply, the authority argued that granting exclusivity to some operators and not to others improved the level of service.
It said it had issued a call for the provision of a scheduled ferry service for the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett port.
This service is meant to be an alternative to land transport and complements the lift installation at Lascaris Wharf.
Transport Malta said the contract specifies the maximum charge of €1.50 per person, with cheaper rates for students and the elderly.
According to the authority, for this to be viable the operator had to be granted some form of exclusivity in certain zones and this would also ensure the level of service.
It said the water taxi operators can berth in these spaces but are not being allowed to board and disembark passengers between Sliema and Marsamxett.
They are not being precluded from operating from these areas to any other spot in Malta or Gozo.
Lawyers Franco Vassallo and Joseph Camilleri signed the counter protest.