More than 42,000 passengers made use of the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo in their first month of operation, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Ian Borg announced on Friday.

Transport Minister Borg gave an update on the usage of the fast ferry service in the past month today.

The fast ferry service which operates between Valletta's Grand Harbour and the Mġarr Port in Gozo was inaugurated by Prime Minister Robert Abela just last month.

The new service covered a total of 1,086 trips in the first month. The fast ferry service has a 45-minute travel time between the two islands and is being operated by two companies - Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd and Virtu Ferries. The ferries do not cater for cars, motorbikes or scooters.

During the inauguration of this service, PM Abela had said that this new service will cut two hours of travelling time for Gozitan workers.

Minister Borg said that the given figures are a showcase of another success in terms of both connectivity between the two islands, as well as another step forward in maritime infrastructure.

“We are seeing that transport in Malta continues to improve. It is very clear that the fast ferry project is an effective contribution to our country’s economic recovery,” Borg said. 

He noted that the fast ferry project not only focuses on sea transport but also incorporates many other services in favour of more mobility. 

As part of this project there are also additional routes including route 300, which travels between the fast ferry terminal, the University of Malta and Mater Dei Hospital, as well as route X133, which offers a trip from the Valletta bus terminus to the fast ferry. 

Borg said that a shuttle bus service has also been incorporated to give people the possibility to park their private car in the Floriana car park and ride, and use the service to travel to the fast ferry. 

Those who prefer to travel on foot can benefit from a bike sharing service which is being offered next to the Barrakka lift. 

“These are incentives which form part of a holistic project. We will continue to work much harder because it is our goal to achieve a more efficient and cleaner mobility. We remain committed to working for better transport at all levels including sea transport, transport by clean and alternative means and above all, mass transport,” Borg said.