Park and Ride service

After reading Malcolm Scicluna's letter Park And Ride Service Contract (August 2), I cannot but wonder what the motives of writing this letter were. Mr Scicluna is either very misinformed or simply interested in discouraging people from using the Park & Ride service.

First and foremost, the public transport strike last year was not simply over the liberalisation of the hearse licences only, but over several issues concerning all the parties involved and what Mr Scicluna calls "several days" was a mere four days. For those who were perhaps not present during the transport strike, what Mr Scicluna was referring to by "a number of violent clashes" were a couple of incidents with a handful of drivers where no casualties were reported.

It was also pointed out that during the strike, ADT had irrevocably terminated the contract of Coop Services and the Park & Ride service. May I remind Mr Scicluna that the contract was actually terminated and a new call for tenders was issued. Once again, Coop Services offered the best service and price and a new contract was issued. Due to the strike, Coop Services' contract for the Park & Ride was terminated and had other companies offered a better package, the contract would have been given to them.

Mr Scicluna also mentioned in his letter that the minibuses used are new and equipped with an air-conditioning system but it is rarely used. Had Mr Scicluna simply asked any driver, Coop Services or ADT before putting pen to paper, he might have been better informed. Coop Services has been given clear instructions by the Health Department to keep all windows in the minibuses open as a precaution against the "swine flu" (the air-conditioning system cannot be effective if windows are open).

On the other hand, even when the air-conditioning system will be functioning once again, one cannot expect miracles. The minibuses are parked in the scorching sun when waiting for their next trip at either end. A plan to build some sort of tent to protect both the passengers and drivers from the sun and rain has been in the pipeline for quite a while now but has not yet materialised.

One cannot expect these minibuses, that have been waiting in the sun, to suddenly cool down the minute they leave especially since it is only a four-minute journey with several stops on the way and with passengers opening and closing the door.

Therefore, I would advise Mr Scicluna to get his facts straight before writing and perhaps ask the parties involved to supply him with proper information rather than bring into disrepute the sterling work Coop Services offers.