The appeal arises from voices circulated about the establishment of a new maritime section between the Aeolian and the mainland, which would not be “an enhancement of the existing directors – for which the available resources are often insufficient, with well -known consequences: increase in the cost of tickets, suppression of races and elimination of numerous benefits for commuters”.
Federalberghi Aeolian islands rather refers a new route – Capo d’Orlando – Vulcano – Lipari – Santa Marina Salina and vice versa, “never requested by any island: neither by the mayors, nor by the category representatives, nor by the associations. A connection that should be activated starting from 15 July, that is, in the central months of the summer season, already widely served by mini -rocker under a free cabotage regime “.
“Its activation – continues the note – would also go to increase the pressure, especially by daily hikers, on a structural and infrastructure system already in trouble in August. Not to mention that it would also risk subtracting units from a fleet already subjected, at that time of the year, to strong operational pressures, with the concrete possibility – given the limited notice – of not being able to find replacement means”.
“It is surprising that for this connection they were suddenly allocated 950 thousand euros per season for the next three yearswhile for years the communities of the minor islands have asked the Sicilian Region resources to relieve the inconvenience in essential connections with the mainland. Several times the Region has had to intervene to cover the major charges and avoid further increases “, adds Federalberghi.
In light of the above, Federalberghi Ale Islands Eolie launches an appeal to the President of the Region, Renato Schifani, asking firmly that the resources foreseen for the establishment of this new route are instead intended to: enhance the connections with the minor islands more peripheral of the archipelago (Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea and Stromboli); compensate for the cuts and tariff increases that have affected the state sections; restore effective concessions for all commuters.
“Only in this way will it be possible to comply with the regulations relating to public service charges And to provide concrete answers to the real needs of the inhabitants of the Aeolian Islands, avoiding the risk of distorting the purpose of these funds, with consequent distortions of the market and waste of public money “.