They might as well call it the Independent Republic of Gozo: elderly people riding on Gozo buses with their special discount card, Kartanzjan, are denied the right to pay half price, as they are entitled to in Malta.
The discrepancy is one of many invented by the Gozitan islanders and sanctioned by their all-powerful minister, Giovanna Debono, and by the Transport Authority. But it is also a source of great disgruntlement for elderly commuters, Maltese and Gozitans alike.
In fact, the policy of bus drivers ignoring Kartanzjan in Gozo stands in stark contrast with all the other services linked to the island, whereby card holders travel on board the Gozo Channel ferries for free, and Gozitans who do not have the card pay just €1.15 for the ferry ticket as opposed to the €4.05 paid by the Maltese.
In Malta, Kartanzjan holders pay half the price of the standard bus fare.
Sources said the ‘policy’ was imposed by bus drivers as a precondition for a solution to an industrial dispute a few years ago.
A Transport Ministry spokesman said minister Austin Gatt was considering ways of improving public transport, especially making it more accessible to those with a mobility disadvantage.
“Public transport in Malta is covered by a subsidy which, among others, funds a discount for elderly passangers,” said Emanuel Delia. “Public transport in Gozo is not subsidised and there is therefore no such discount. There is no discrimination as such since discounts (or lack of them) do not distinguish between any holders of the Kartanzjan. However I can confirm that we are looking at ways of improving public transport services in both islands and increasing accessibility for all members of our community, especially those with a mobility disadvantage such as the elderly.”