Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1377667
2 NEWS 27.5.2021 LAURA CALLEJA GOZO'S business and tour- ism representatives have wel- comed the schedules and fares announced by the two compa- nies that will be operating fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo from 1 June. e Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Associ- ation both welcomed the fast ferry schedules and fares an- nounced by Virtu Ferries and Gozo Fast Ferry. e GBC said that the two companies acknowledged the necessity of such a service for Gozitans, with both the pric- ing structure, and the schedule reflecting the Gozitans' need to use this service more fre- quently. "Accessibility depends also on the pricing of the service, both to people living in Mal- ta and those living in Gozo," it said. e chamber said the fast ferry service can also create multiple economic niches which can create considera- ble value added, especially to cruise liner visitors at Vallet- ta Cruise Port, who will now have the possibility to actually visit Gozo even during their short period on the island of Malta. e GTA agreed that the an- nounced fares and schedules were clearly structured to ca- ter for both Gozitans and vis- itors alike. "e success of any tourism destination depends on its connectivity," it said. "erefore this latest addi- tion of the fast ferry service starting in the coming days is another loop that enhances the inter-island connectivity." e GTA said that the ser- vice will be appealing not only to the Gozitans, who will use it for the daily commuting but it will be another means of fast crossing to Gozo both for the domestic market as well as for the Malta based tourists. e Chamber looks forward to the start of the service and would like to augur both oper- ators a succesful venture. Fares Gozo Fast Ferry this week announced some of its fares for the Valletta to Gozo ser- vice 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. e 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. e journey, which will take under 45 minutes, will be linked to the bus schedule. e 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. e first service from Vallet- ta 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 competi- tor, 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. e fare for Gozo residents will be €5 for adults, €3 for children and for Gozo res- idents with a Tallinja card for the return trip, €4.60 for adults and €2.70 for children. 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 Gozo business, tourist bodies welcome fast ferry service fares Virtu Ferries will be using the San Frangisk and San Pawl on its Gozo to Malta fast ferry service