Sliema - Valletta ferry to travel by night this summer

Tim Diacono
Malta Today
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/53129/valletta_ferry_to_travel_by_night_this_summer?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#.VWLw4E-qqkr


The ferry service between Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities will operate during the night this summer.

Between 1 June and 30 September, the last ferry between Valletta and Sliema will depart at midnight, while the last ferry between Valletta and Cottonera will depart at 11pm.

The new schedule was announced following negotiations between the Valletta 2018 foundation and the ship's operators, Fortel.

"V18 is about the social and economic regeneration of the jewel of Valletta, and its results are starting to show," V18 chairman Jason Micallef said.

"We want to breathe more life into Valletta though, and these new ferry times will allow people to travel to the capital by night to visit the Manoel Theatre, the Royal Theatre Square and the St James Cavalier."

He argued that a ferry ride from Sliema to Valletta only takes five minutes, compared to an hour by car.

"Sea transport is the best solution to Malta's traffic problems," Micallef said. "Why are we so behind other countries with regards alternative means of transport? Malta needs to change its car mentality."

Marsamxetto Steamferry Services Ltd managing director Michael Zammit Tabona said that the new service will be extended to winter if the summer service proves to be a success.

Between 1 October and 31 May, the last ferry from Valletta to both Sliema and Cottonera currently departs at 7pm.