Gozitan commuters who journey to Malta by car daily will now be able to benefit from a travel card enabling them to make each return trip for Lm2.50.

Gozo ID card holders currently pay a state subsidised fare of Lm3.50 to travel to Malta by car while the cost of a standard vehicle ticket is Lm6.75.

Speaking during a press conference on board the Ta' Pinu ferry yesterday, Gozo Channel chairman Joe Borg said the new card, costing Lm125, would entitle the users to 50 trips within a three-month period. About 150 Gozitans make the crossing on a daily basis.

There will be a pre-paid ticket lane available when the new terminal at Mgarr is completed, which is expected to be by the middle of next year.

Applications for the new cards will be accepted at Gozo Channel's offices in Gozo or at Sa Maison. The application can also be downloaded from Gozo Channel website www.gozochannel.com with immediate effect.

Statistics showed that there had been a 2.6 per cent rise in the number of passengers using the company's vessels in the first six months of this year from 1,525,957 to 1,566,033. Vehicles carried by the company's three ferries increased by 4.8 per cent, from 401,267 to 420,611.

Mr Borg also added that one of the factors behind this increase was the Immorru Ghawdex scheme through which Gozo Channel offered reduced fares to commuters who travelled at certain hours during the low season. An additional 9,000 passengers and 3,000 vehicles used the service during that period.

The scheme, carried out in conjunction with a number of hotels and restaurants, was such a success that it was extended to May and June.

In the future regular commuters may be able to get details of any schedule changes via text message.

Gozo Channel is also looking into the possibility of introducing a much needed, regular transport service linking Malta International Airport and the Cirkewwa terminal.