Gozo commuters had to wait in long queues at Mġarr Harbour on Wednesday after the Labour Party chartered one of the three Gozo channel ferries in service for its May Day rally in Valletta, Times of Malta was told. 

Gozo University Group president Rachel Galea said last year the chartering of the vessel to transport Labour supporters to Valletta was becoming an annual affair, despite complaints. Yet, last year’s complaints seem to have fallen on deaf ears, with commuters again reporting finding problems to make the crossing.

“They did not inform people beforehand,” a commuter who said he remained stuck in Gozo, said. The sentiment was shared by many who were faced with a “chaotic” situation, which they did not expect.

Commuters faced with a ‘chaotic’ situation

Traffic congestion appeared to get worse at about 7pm, when the chartered ferry was on her way to take Gozitan Labour supporters back home, some of those affected said.

However, Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina insisted the situation was “much better” than previous years because May Day this year did not fall on Monday or Friday. It was always worse when Workers’ Day fell on a long weekend, he noted.

Mr Cordina questioned the interests of the commuters who complained about the matter.

The chairman, who is also the mayor of Xagħra, defended the use of the ferry to transport Labour supporters, saying there should be no reason why someone who paid for the use of a ferry should not be allowed to use it.

Asked how much it cost to charter the ferry, Mr Cordina he said he could not remember the figure. Two years ago, he had told this newspaper it cost about €4,000.