Gozo Fast Ferry changes its pre-booked ticket rules

Fast ferry passengers can now book their trip to and from Gozo up to 30 minutes before departure, and will soon be able to postpone their scheduled trips.

Booking a seat on the ferry was previously limited to an hour before departures, while the time of pre-booked tickets could not be changed. 

The increased flexibility - announced by the Gozo Minister in a Facebook video - is being introduced following a call for priority boarding for Gozitan commuters by Sarah Schembri.

The 20-year-old Gozitan student told Labour’s Congress last week that the Gozo Fast Ferry service was a “vital” connectivity between the two islands. 

She said Gozitans should be given priority, especially when trying to return home during peak tourist season: “Why should I have to wait behind a queue of tourists to get home, after a long day of work or studies?"

Schembri also recommended increasing the frequency of trips from one to two every hour.

While neither suggestion was upheld, Camilleri told Times of Malta these changes should guarantee peace of mind for frequent travellers, most of whom are Gozitan.

"Tourists do not normally pre-book a seat, so such changes will be of benefit to frequent travellers, ensuring their place on board at the time of their choice."

Introduced in 2021, the fast ferry service gained popularity with locals and tourists alike, as it offers 45-minute trips between Valletta and Gozo's Mġarr.

Earlier this week, Tourism Minister Ian Borg also praised Schembri's proposal for priority boarding for Gozitans.

Schembri was not the first to highlight the painstakingly long queues for the fast ferry, even before the peak summer tourist season.

One Gozitan man said it took him less time to get to Malta from London than it did to get from Malta to Gozo.

A video he shared with Times of Malta showed a line stretching roughly 100 metres at around 11.30 am, with passengers left waiting in the heat as crowds spilt across the area.