Barrakka lift tariffs may be revised after the government decided to privatise its operations, the Times of Malta is informed.

A return ticket to use the 58-metre high lift connecting Lascaris ditch to the Upper Barrakka gardens now costs just €1 and those in possession of a Kartanzjan and children under 10 years travel for free.

This is likely to change as Transport Malta has issued a call for proposals to run the lift through a concession. A spokesman said the government had decided to privatise the lift’s operation but would not be drawn into saying whether the present fares structure would be changed.

It is up to new operators to set new price structure

According to the call for proposals, seen by this newspaper, it is up to the new operator to set the price structure, although this would require Transport Malta’s blessing. While stating that operators could propose a different fare structure to that in force now, the only condition being imposed is that passengers having a harbour ferry ticket would be able to use the lift for free.

It does not indicate whether the elderly or children will continue to take the lift free of charge. According to the Transport Malta spokesman, it is estimated that 1,600 people use the lift daily. This means the lift generates over €500,000 a year in revenue. Transport Malta employees told this newspaper they could not understand why the government decided to privatise a service that generated significant income to the regulator.

“The lift is a good revenue source for the government. Why do they want to give it to a private operator who will possibly push up prices,” they said.

However, Transport Malta is insisting it is not its duty to enter into the operation of transport services because its role is mainly regulatory.The Barrakka lift has a long history. Originally built in 1905 to carry passengers arriving in lower Valletta by tram, it was closed down in 1973. The structure was only dismantled in the early 1980s.

Following the approval of EU funds, the new lift was rebuilt at a cost of €1.5 million and was inaugurated in 2012. It can carry 800 people an hour.