3,500 use water taxi in three weeks at Grand Harbour
3,500 passengers have so far used the water taxi service that connects the Valletta Waterfront to various parts of the Grand Harbour.
28 June 2011, 12:00am
Rachel Zammit Cutajar
Rachel Zammit Cutajar
2 min read
The service, which started some three weeks ago, was launched today by transport minister Austin Gatt, who also announced that works on the Barrakka lifts are expected to start next week.
“The fact that 3,500 passengers used the service proves that there is a demand for such a service, that only takes five minutes for a person to cross from Birgu to Valletta rather than half an hour or my by car or bus,” Austin Gatt said.
He added that this new way of travelling will continue to enhance the connectivity of the Valletta Harbour area, and will continue to grow as the Barrakka lift will be completed.
The water taxi will work in much the same way as land taxis. A direct trip between landing points within the same port will cost €5.00 per person for the first two passengers and €2.50 for additional passengers. A waiting fee of €20.00 per hour will be charged if the boat is to to wait for passengers.
New water taxi stands will be added as the service expands. The following landing areas are now in operation
Sliema ferries
Valletta Waterfront
Senglea
Grand Harbour Marina (St Angelo's Mansions)
Grand Harbour Marina (Customs Gate)
Vittoriosa Casino
Tigne Point
Msida Marina
Taxis can be booked by telephone or pre-booked on the Malta Water Taxi website.
Gatt also announced a new ferry service from Valletta to Marsamxett will be up for tender by the coming September for the service to begin next year.
“The contract, which will be for a six year period, will provide for a minimum service between Customs House and Number 1 dock area in Cottonera for the Grand Harbour and between Sliema and Valletta in Marsamxett Harbour. Bidders proposing a service to additional areas beyond the minimum links will be considered more favourably for adjudication purposes. Service must be linked to land public transport and is yet another initiative by the Government to induce the required modal shift from private car to public and other forms of transport.”
Gatt said that these services are not to compete with each other but rather to complement each other changing the way in which people travel around the island, allowing people to rely less on private transport making the shift to more public forms of transportation.
Rachel Zammit Cutajar graduated in economics from the University of Malta...
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agree with you briffy, yes a couple of good projects, proset, but how many other useless and very, very costly ones and against all recommendations.
Never mind that he is considered arrogant......considered.........boy that must be the understatement of this decade.
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Well done Minister. Austin Gatt always delivers. Pity he says he won't contest the 2013 elections. Malta needs more people like him. Never mind that he is considered arrogant. But then most achievers are considered arrogant.
