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  PRESS RELEASE |
16/03/2005 |
Gozo Channel Co Ltd. refers to the statement of yesterday by the Gozo Tourism Association in which they claim “that this winter’s access between Malta and Gozo is the worst in living memory.” They say this when clamouring for passenger ferry services to be ‘introduced’ between 2 and 4am.
Such a remark comes as a surprise. GTA must surely be aware that there already exists a scheduled passenger night service consisting of two round trips between Malta and Gozo at 2 and 3.30am hours from Mġarr (with corresponding return trips from Ċirkewwa at 2.30 and 4am).
This service, using smaller vessels has been in business since September when the winter schedule took over from the summer schedule when the large vessels are used round the clock.
Ironically (considering GTA’s apocalyptic remarks) this is the first winter when scheduled services are in operation at the early hours. Previously such services were provided only following specific requests.
It should be pointed out that in spite of our efforts to provide a daily night service; passenger use has been pathetically low. Between the months of October 2004 and February 2005, a total of 449 passengers used the service (or which 254 to the end of October), working out at an average of less than 3 passengers daily, and less than 1 per trip! This figure is somewhat more than the 337 passengers using the same service during the same months the previous year, when it was then on a request basis only.
We do indeed recognise that we have a “community responsibility” as GTA does not tire to remind us and we feel we are doing more than fulfilling that responsibility. The Gozitan tourism trade must surely realise that it also has some responsibilities to protect its own interests. They may therefore perhaps consider joining us in funding ferry trips during the early hours.
Marvic Fenech Adami
General Manager
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