PN would retrofit Gozo ferries with calming rooms, Borg says
Opposition leader says some children avoid the crossing because of potential panic
Neurodivergent passengers would have access to calming rooms on all Gozo Channel ferries under a PN government, Opposition leader Alex Borg said on Saturday.
Borg was speaking at a conference organised by PN MEP Peter Agius on European funds for Gozo.
He said Gozo needed more direct access to European funds.
“I don’t want Gozo to be an afterthought,” said Borg.
During his speech, the PN leader said several children with anxiety or who are neurodivergent avoid travelling between Malta and Gozo because they feel overstimulated and may panic on the ferry.
“When they go on the boat, they panic; this is a reality I have spoken about with various parents. Those who have ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or are on the spectrum can end up panicking and, as a result, will avoid travelling to Malta to avoid that stress.”
Borg pledged that, if the PN is elected, every passenger ferry would be retrofitted with a calming room where passengers could go to destress during the crossing.
The conference, held at the Kempinski Hotel, also saw Borg repeat several of the party’s proposals for Gozo.
These included the expansion of Mġarr harbour to address current needs, including the growing number of passengers using the port.
He also reiterated proposals to increase the Gozo Channel fleet with another passenger boat and a cargo boat, build a breakwater in Marsalforn to help protect the seafront in winter and invest in Gozo General Hospital.
That investment would include a 400-bed hospital and a helipad for emergency cases.