Valletta ferry passengers increase by 64.9% after service becomes free for Tallinja card holders

The number of passengers that made use of the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett ferries has risen significantly ever since the service became free to Tallinja card holders.

In a social media post, Transport Minister Chris Bonett shared that during February 2024, 107,777 passengers made use of the ferry services connecting the Cottonera area and Sliema to Valletta.

This is an increase of 42,409 passengers or 64.9 per cent from the figure of the same month in 2023 (65,368).

Last January, Government had announced that these services would become free of charge for Tallinja card holders, enabling them to have a cheaper way of commuting between these three areas.

The plans to make the ferries free had first been announced by former Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia last December, just a few months after the use of buses had also become free of charge for Tallinja card holders.

“The work Government is doing to continue providing alternative methods of transport so that we reduce the traffic on our roads and retain more money in people’s pockets, is bearing fruit,” Minister Bonett said.