Massive Spike In Maltese New Year’s Eve Ride Fares Leaves Party-Goers Outraged
In the immediate aftermath of Malta’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, several party-goers who ditched their cars for the night faced a difficult challenge… actually being able to afford to go home.
Many people were aware that they shouldn’t drive after a night out drinking and indeed there wasn’t a single major accident on the roads. Naturally, booking a cab or taxi home was a popular alternative.
While getting to the party was business as usual for the most part, many people faced issues when it was time to go home as fares had soared due to a surge in demand.
A man told Lovin Malta that while his ride from Ħal-Għaxaq to Valletta cost just over €5, the return trip – which he booked between 1:30am and 2am – cost him a whopping €57, 10 times the original journey price.
“I left my car at home and now I have to pay what I get in a day to get back home,” he said. “All cab platforms were the same… what a way to encourage not drinking and driving.”
Another user stated that while a ride from Żabbar to Sliema had cost €25, the cheapest return ride was just over €62.
Other trips included €36 from Valletta to San Ġwann, €40 from Valletta to Marsa, and €60 from Valletta to Sliema.
Meanwhile, police officers and the Armed Forces of Malta stopped over 890 vehicles on New Year’s Eve. The police said a number of traffic regulations were found to have been broken, including driving without a valid license, driving without a seatbelt on and driving under the influence of alcohol, although no breakdown was provided.
Cover photo: Left: Valletta NYE Celebrations, Right: Stock image
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