Prime Minister Robert Abela, accompanied by the Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri and the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett, inaugurated the start of the Fast Ferry service from Sliema to Buġibba, and from Buġibba to Gozo.
Dr Abela said that this Fast Ferry service will be free of charge between Sliema and Buġibba, so that in Malta we will have all public transport, both land and sea, free of charge. “At a time when in many countries public services are being reduced in light of the austerity that is prevailing in Europe, the Government’s decision to increase services and do this for free is the best certificate of our progressive soul”, remarked the Prime Minister.
He added that this new service from Sliema to the north of Malta, then to the island of Gozo, will offer an option for Gozitans who want to come to Malta to stop in two other localities in addition to those they currently have a direct connection to, namely Cirkewwa and Valletta.
He continued by saying that this service is being integrated into the Tallinja bil-Baħar system which will continue to expand in the coming time to also meet the needs of the population in the south of the country, with a new service connecting Marsaskala and Valletta. A service which is expected to start when the infrastructural work currently underway on the ferry landing in Għajn Valley is completed.
Dr Abela noted that in just over two years since the Harbour Ferry service has been operating free of charge, more than a million and a half passengers have used this service. He stated that Tallinja bil-Baħar and maritime transport are an important element in the Malta in Motion plan announced a few weeks ago. A plan that is already being implemented and that in the coming months and years, will continue to be strengthened by better integrating ferry services with other transport systems such as bus, cycling, walking and the future La Valletta line.
Prime Minister Robert Abela also said that the Government has plans to strengthen the Gozo Channel service, with a major investment to increase the number of ships and have ships with less polluting technology. “A multi-million investment that will be complemented by better public transport services in Gozo. This is in addition to the air taxi service between the two islands”, reiterated Dr Abela.
He also mentioned that a taskforce has already been created with the aim of analysing the operation of the Mġarr port to then ensure long-term sustainability as connectivity to the island of Gozo continues to be strengthened with such services.
The Prime Minister noted that the Malta 2050 Vision identifies clear KPIs and targets on what we want to achieve for Gozo. The same as those emerging from the Gozo Island of Villages strategy, which strategy will be updated to better complement the Malta 2050 Vision.
Minister Chris Bonett said that “This service means a better connection from the centre of Malta to Buġibba. It means a real alternative for those who want to get to Gozo or travel from Gozo to Malta. It means that Gozitans who travel to Malta today will have not only the existing connections with Ċirkewwa and Valletta, but also other routes that open up new opportunities. A new circular bus service will start operating from today to complement this fast ferry service. All of this ties in with Malta in Motion, the Government’s vision for the future of our country’s mobility, the aim of which is to give you the right to travel as you wish.”
Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia pointed out that the launch of the new ferry service connecting Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo marks another concrete result in the Malta in Motion plan. “This is another step forward in the way we are looking at modern and integrated transport. We firmly believe that this service is part of a larger system where different modes of transport work in synchronised fashion together”, stressed Kurt Farrugia.
Photos: DOI/OPM
