Transport for disabled

I read with interest the feature by Simonne Pace, "Transport service foundation in dire need of money" (The Sunday Times, September 19). As a service user I would like to add my comments and make a correction.

Regarding the 'proposed shutdown' and I quote from the Ms Pace's feature, "some time ago, a background paper was produced by the then Controller, Mr Bezzina, outlining the issues of debt accumulation, fee structures and the proposed shutdown for five days (which did not take place)", the five-day shutdown did not remain a proposal. In fact the decision was taken and notices dated July 14 of shutdown of service from August 9 to 14, were in fact issued to us service users, but the decision was withdrawn at the last minute on August 6 and service was resumed by a private garage for the week in question.

The Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b'Dizabilità (KNPD) was aware of the shutdown decision taken from the beginning as the then controller, Mr Bezzina, is the executive director of KNPD. This in turn put us service users in a very undignified situation as my only option was to request involuntary vacation leave for the five days in question, against all principles of KNPD.

I am convinced the decision was withdrawn thanks to my letter and of others by fellow service users to the Ministry of Family and Social Solidarity appealing for support in this matter. In fact at a meeting I had, together with two other service users, before the withdrawal of the shutdown decision, with Minister Dolores Cristina, she told us that she became aware of the matter only through our letters to her.

Ms Connie Camilleri, chairman of Fondazzjoni Trasport ghal Hajja Indipendenti (FTGHI) stated in the feature that fuel expenses and government taxes keep soaring but it's not fair that we service users have to bear the burden by paying higher fees. It does not make sense that of the yearly Lm12,000 government subsidy Lm2,500 to Lm3,000 has to be paid back in government taxes.

This vital service provided by FTGHI is the main tool to enable disabled persons to become productive in mainstream employment rather than remaining idle and a burden on our society. Therefore I suggest that Government should waive taxes on such NGOs to at least encourage the continuity of the service for the benefit of the community as a whole.

In the light of all this, such support services run by NGOs are basically charity-driven to counter their grave financial situation, as government financial support is never enough. However, such service providers have to turn to service receivers to attend fundraising activities, as also stated in the feature by Ms Camilleri, but there again, it's not fair that it's always the service user that has to bear the brunt unless the government increases its subsidy, not just to FTGHI but to other support services too.

I have nothing against fund-raising activities and the kind generosity of the Maltese; on the other hand it's always at the cost of the disabled persons' dignity. Nevertheless, I appeal to mega-fundraisers such as L-Istrina who can help bale out FTGHI out of its dire straits and encourage prospective service users.