Gozo-Malta fast ferry service kick-starts on 1 June

Virtu Ferries fares will cost EUR 12 per person; Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd’s new catamarans have arrived

The new Gozo-Malta fast ferry service is in for a good start on 1 June after the two operators which will be doing the crossings reported that their vessels are ready to roll. The shuttle service from the Grand Harbour in Valletta to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo has been made possible thanks to the recent liberalization of sea transport.

Discounted rates for Tallinja Card holders

Virtu Ferries was the first to announce its fares, saying in a statement yesterday that a return trip for adults will cost EUR 12 and EUR 6 for children. Those who hold a Tallinja Card will benefit from a discount, paying EUR 11 for adults and EUR 5.50 for children.

There are special fares for Gozo residents – EUR 5 for adults and EUR 3 for children. Gozitans using the Tallinja Card will pay EUR 4.60 for adults and EUR 2.70 for children. Tickets will be available soon from www.virtugozo.com. 

The company said it will run the trips with two catamarans - San Franġisk and San Pawl, which have previously serviced the Malta-Sicily route. The vessels can travel at 65 km per hour, and the one-way trip is expected to last 45 minutes.

Investing in new ships

Meanwhile, Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd’s two high-speed passenger catamarans arrived in Malta’s Grand Harbour last week. The 40-metre long vessels named Your Faith and Your Wisdom were built in 2018. Equipped with the latest environmental technology and advanced navigation capabilities, they can carry 300 passengers during each 45-minute trip.

Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd stated that the trip between Mġarr in Gozo and the Grand Harbour in Valletta will form part of the company’s vision for multimodal transport. Therefore, the company has been collaborating with Malta Public Transport, the operator of the bus service, to ensure passengers — including Tallinja Card holders— are offered a value-added, seamless, fast journey.

Multiple transport options

Transport Minister Ian Borg told tvm.com.mt that the Government is not satisfied with just putting one new service on the map, but wants to have the necessary infrastructure in place so that once the passengers disembark, they can use various transport options to reach the desired location. He announced that the lift at the Upper Barrakka will be free for all passengers who wish to go on foot to Valletta or back to Grand Harbour.