Need for modern hearses

I refer to the article by Malcolm J. Naudi (The Sunday Times, May 29) entitled "ADT fails to issue number plates for two new hearses".

On reading it, many persons expressed to me their support for my initiative in purchasing "two high class, brand new hearses, based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class" so that Malta too would have modern hearses, like other countries.

In querying the reason behind ADT's failure to issue the new number plates, after seven weeks, some have even remarked that in doing so, ADT is supporting, if not encouraging, the owners of the ten existing funeral motor hearses not to invest in modern hearses to the detriment of consumers.

Is the ADT aware of those mourners who over the years have had unwillingly to endure embarrassment so that the funeral of their dear departed could proceed, every time the 1959 motor hearse developed a malfunction?

For example, such incidents were reported in The Malta Independent on Sunday of August 8, 2004, when it was stated that "the relatives and friends of a deceased person had to suffer the further distress and embarrassment of seeing the hearse bearing their loved one reverse down a Valletta street after the funeral hearse failed to start when the funeral cortege was due to leave St Dominic's parish church in Valletta ...

"This, however, was not the only instance. In a recent funeral, attended by many from Malta Heritage's higher echelons, the hearse stopped twice - once at the Msida roundabout when a replacement hearse was hurriedly pressed into action, and after Mass in a Gzira road."

It is not the first time that many of your readers have expressed their views about their experiences on some mishap or other during funerals, especially unnecessary delays because of the 46-year-old motor hearses in operation on the local market. I am sure that Adrian Muscat Inglott, your Consumer Affairs correspondent, would gladly take up the challenge in the interest of consumers.

The Transport Authority (ADT) should stop dragging its feet and issue the new number plates for the two new hearses without futher delay, especially in view of the decision of July 5, 2004 by the Commission for Fair Competition, which should be respected.