Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544566
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 24 APRIL 2026 NEWS Sea transport between Malta and Gozo sees decline in trips in 2026 SEA transport services between Malta and Gozo registered a de- cline in trips, vehicles and pas- sengers during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to of- ficial transport statistics. Between January and March 2026, a total of 9,579 trips were carried out across routes between Malta and Gozo, car- rying 1,511,708 passengers. March was the busiest month of the quarter, accounting for 3,678 trips, or 38.4% of the to- tal. On the main route between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa, passen- ger numbers showed a slight increase of 0.5% year-on-year, reaching 1,321,358. However, vehicle traffic fell by 5.8% to 445,351, while the number of trips declined by 5.7% to 7,743. March again recorded the highest activity on this route, with 2,956 trips and 517,824 passengers. Traffic patterns showed that vehicle and pas- senger movements from Mġarr were highest on Sundays and Mondays, while departures from Ċirkewwa peaked on Fri- days and Saturdays. The fast ferry service between Mġarr and Valletta also record- ed a downturn. A total of 1,836 trips were operated during the quarter, carrying 190,350 pas- sengers, representing declines of 20.6% in trips and 11.4% in passengers compared to Q1 2025. March remained the busiest month for this route as well, with 722 trips and 86,121 pas- sengers, accounting for 45.2% of quarterly passenger traffic. Between January and March 2026, a total of 9,579 trips were carried out across routes between Malta and Gozo, carrying 1,511,708 passengers Rotary Club of Gozo opens applications for vocational fund grants THE Rotary Club of Gozo has is- sued a call for applications for its Gozo Vocational Fund, offering financial assistance to residents pursuing vocational and skills- based training. The fund, established in 2016, has awarded more than €13,000 to 30 beneficiaries across a range of disciplines, including technical trades, creative in- dustries, computing, personal training and public speaking. Grants of up to €500 per ap- plicant are available, subject to eligibility and approval un- der the fund's governing rules. Payments will be made directly to service providers, suppliers or educational institutions, and not to beneficiaries. Applicants must be ordi- narily resident in Gozo and demonstrate a clear vocational or career objective. They are also required to explain how the funding will support their development and outline any efforts made to secure alterna- tive financial assistance. Application forms must be requested via email and sub- mitted by 30 June 2026. Sub- missions will be assessed by the fund's trustees in line with its administrative procedures. Water transport exhibition THE Gozo Philatelic Socie- ty showcase on level -1 at Il- Ħaġar museum is now changed to a survey of Malta stamps showing the Gozo Boat. These began in 1899 but this year we celebrate the centennial of the 1926 especially attractive one clearly so captoned. This display was prepared by a GPS committee member Mark Poulton who took care to include interesting details in his writeups. There is no entry fee at this cultural centre in Victoria's Pjazza San Ġorġ, with normal hours of 9am to 5pm seven days a week. It will remain till the end of May. This obvi- ously also offers an opportu- nity for visitors to go through other exciting temporary ex- hibits.