The number of commuters between Malta and Gozo increased by 1.7 per cent in the fourth quarter last year, reaching 785,835, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The number of vehicles carried by scheduled vessels went up by 2.6 per cent, totalling 224,127.

Last month registered a rise in the number of trips and a drop in commuters and vehicles carried, while October and November registered slides in trips and increases in commuters and vehicles.

The rise in demand was met by an increase in supply. The number of trips in the fourth quarter stood at 4,739, implying an additional one per cent over the comparable period in 2006.

The highest number of trips was recorded last month - 1,602 or 33.8 per cent of the total number of trips for the quarter. During the fourth quarter, Ta' Pinu reduced its trips by 675 when compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.

The Gaudos and the Malita carried out more trips: 392 and 331 respectively, to compensate for the drop in the Ta' Pinu load and to cater for a higher demand.

On an annual basis, last year saw a rise in all aspects. The total number of trips increased by 505 or 2.6 per cent over the previous year.

The number of vehicles carried rose by 76,042 or 8.1 per cent, while the number of commuters went up by 240,407 or 6.8 per cent.

The global average number of passengers stood at 193 per trip or 4.3 per cent higher than in 2006.

The global average number of vehicles carried also registered a rise, standing at 51 vehicles per trip or 4.1 per cent more than the previous year.