Until Monday, commuters between Malta and Gozo had to use the ferry at Ċirkewwa to cross between islands.
That changed on Tuesday, when two fast ferry services to Gozo began operating from a newly-built terminal in Valletta.
Virtu Ferries and Gozo Fast Ferry are competing for passengers along the Valletta-Mġarr route.
Times of Malta hopped on the first scheduled trip from Valletta with the Gozo Fast Ferry and returned back with competitors Virtu Ferries to see how the two services vary in price, facilities and experience.
Video: Matthew Mirabelli
Where and how do I catch the ferry?
Journeys from the Valletta side begin at the new Lascaris Wharf Terminal, which was built in one month.
Updated 6.13pm with Transport Malta reply
Gozitan students have criticised a decision by Malta Public Transport to discontinue a bus route linking Ċirkewwa to the University of Malta s Msida campus.
Bus route X300, which was only inaugurated six months ago, used to connect Gozo Channel ferry services to the campus, Mater Dei Hospital and Junior College.
It will now operate from Lascaris Wharf at the Grand Harbour, where passengers can catch a 45-minute fast ferry to Gozo.
Transport Minister Ian Borg announced the change as he inaugurated the new fast ferry services on Tuesday. He later said that it no longer made sense to take the buses all the way up to Ċirkewwa with the introduction of the fast ferries between Mġarr and Valletta.
Fast ferry services between Malta and Gozo began on Tuesday, promising a 45-minute travel time between the two islands.
The €5 million terminal buildings
Gozo Fast Ferry announces its fares and schedule
Gozo Fast Ferry announces its fares for the Mġarr-Valletta service that will start from 1 June
25 May 2021, 11:29am
by Laura Calleja
Gozo Fast Ferry has announced some of its fares for the Valletta to Gozo service starting 1 June.
Anyone holding a Tallinja adult or student card will be able to travel to Gozo and back for €7.99 while Gozo residents can travel for €4.50.
Passengers in possession of a Tallinja child card or concession card can make the return trip for €3.99, while cyclists can take up their bicycle for free, the company said.
The company has yet to announce it s fair for travellers who are not Gozo residents or who do not have a Tallinja card.
Updated 3.25pm
Works are still well underway at Grand Harbour and Gozo s Mġarr harbour on the terminal buildings to handle the fast ferry services, with less than a week before crossings are due to start.
The ticketing booth in Mgarr, Gozo. (Infrastructure Malta).
Transport Minister Ian Borg visited the site in Mġarr on Tuesday morning with Gozo minister Clint Camilleri.
Gozo Fast Ferry announced some of its fares and schedule on Tuesday. Rival operators Virtu Ferries have already announced theirs.
At Valletta s Grand Harbour, the ferries will operate from Ta Liesse.
The works at Ta Liesse in Grand Harbour. (Infrastructure Malta)