Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1377253
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 MAY 2021 NEWS K ARL AZZOPARDI GOZO Fast Ferry has an- nounced some of its fares for the Valletta to Gozo service starting 1 June. Anyone holding a Tallinja adult or student card will be able to travel to Gozo and back for €7.99 while Gozo residents can travel for €4.50. Passengers in possession of a Tallinja child card or conces- sion card can make the return trip for €3.99, while cyclists can take up their bicycle for free, the company said. The company has yet to an- nounce it's fair for travellers who are not Gozo residents or who do not have a Tallinja card. A spokesperson told this pa- per the announcement would be made in the coming days as discussions are still underway. The journey, which will take under 45 minutes, will be linked to the bus schedule. The company has also taken into consideration the times students and workers need to get to their final destination in Malta. During weekdays, the first catamaran will leave Mġarr at 5:45am, arriving in Valletta at 6:30am, with the last jour- ney scheduled for 11:45pm and reaching the capital at 12:30am. The first service from Valletta is at 6:45am, with the final journey at 12:45am. On weekends and public hol- idays, the service starts from Mġarr at 6:45am, or 7:30am from Valletta, with the last trip at 11:45pm from Gozo, and 12:45am from Malta commut- ers enough time to enjoy din- ner on either side of the island. Last week Virtu Ferries, the company's direct competitor, announced its own fares, with a standard return fare being €12 for adults and €6 for children this will be reduced to €11 for adults and €5.50 for children holding Tallinja cards. The fare for Gozo residents will be €5 for adults, €3 for children and for Gozo resi- dents with a Tallinja card for the return trip, €4.60 for adults and €2.70 for children. Gozo Business Chamber wel- comes fast ferry schedules and price structure The Gozo Business Chamber has welcomed the fast ferry schedules announced by the two service operators. It also noted that the two com- panies have acknowledged the necessity of such a service for Gozitans, with both the pricing structure, and the schedule re- flecting the Gozitans' need to use this service more frequently. "Accessibility depends also on the pricing of the service, both to people living in Malta and those living in Gozo," it said. The chamber said the fast fer- ry service accessibility depends also on the pricing of the ser- vice, both to people living in Malta and those living in Gozo. "It can also create multiple economic niches which can create considerable value add- ed, especially to cruise liner visitors at Valletta Cruise Port, who will now have the possibil- ity to actually visit Gozo even during their short period on the island of Malta." The service, according to the chamber, will also have a significant social impact, re- ducing substantially travelling time for commuters, leading more people to actually decide to make Gozo their home while working in Malta. Gozo Fast Ferry announces fares and schedule Fast ferry to Gozo: Is it cost-effective? Competitors Virtu Ferries and Gozo Fast Ferry have released the fares for their respective service from Valletta to Gozo starting 1 June. The journey for both services will take approximately 45 min- utes, serving only foot passengers. Virtu Ferries pricing A standard return fare will cost €12 for adults, youths and seniors and €6 for children. A return fare for passengers in possession of a Tallinja card will cost €11 for adults, youths and seniors and €5.50 for children. A return fare for Gozitan adults, youths and seniors will cost €5, while a fare for Gozitan children will cost €3. Gozitan adults, youths and seniors in possession of a Tal Linja card will pay €4.60 for their trip, while a journey for children in possession of a Tallinja card will cost €2.70. All infants will travel free of charge on the ferry. Gozo Fast Ferry pricing Anyone holding a Tallinja adult or student card will be able to travel to Gozo and back for €7.99 while Gozo residents can travel for €4.50. Passengers in possession of a Tallinja child card or concession card can make the return trip for €3.99, while cyclists can take up their bicycle for free. The company has yet to announce its fare for travellers who are not Gozo residents or do not have a Tallinja card. A spokesperson told this paper the announcement would be made in the coming days as discussions are still underway. Comparison with Gozo Channel The cost of a passenger ticket on both fast ferry services is high- er than that of the Gozo Channel, which travels between Mgarr and Cirkewwa. The standard passenger fare is €4.65 for adults and €1.15 for children aged between three and 12 – Goztian residents pay €1.15. For those travelling by car, a mode of transport preferred by Maltese, the standard fare is €15.70 – for Gozitan residents, the price is €8.15 Price breakdown according to service Gozo Ferry Children's Fare €1.15 Standard Passenger Fare €4.65 Goztian Resident Passenger Fare €1.15 Car and Driver Standard Fare €15.70 Goztian Resident Car and Driver Standard Fare €8.15 Bicycle Standard Fare €1.15 Virtu Ferries Standard Fare €12 Standard Fare (Child) €6 All infants FREE Standard with Tallinja Card €11 Standard with Tallinja Card (Child) €5.50 Gozo Resident €5 Gozo Resident (Child) €3 Gozo Resident Tallinja Card €4.60 Gozo Resident Tallinja Card (Child) €2.70 Gozo Fast Ferry Standard with Tallinja Card €7.99 Standard with Tallinja Card (Child) €3.99 Gozo Resident €4.50