Silvana Zammit, Swieqi
Mġarr’s ferry terminal
Last weekend my family and I crossed over to Gozo with the 8.15 p.m. ferry and planned to return with the 00.30 a.m. boat. After having a wonderful evening in Gozo we were disappointed when we missed the ferry, as it seems that evening more passengers were crossing over due to the fact that there was an activity taking place. So we had to wait for the next one which departed Gozo at 2 a.m.
What bothered us mostly was not the waiting, but one was not able to have a coffee or a drink as the ferry terminal cafeteria was closed and not even a coffee vending machine was available. To make matters worse we were disgusted that the terminal, which was recently built, was in a poor state, not to mention the dirty toilets. We believe that terminals should be kept clean and one can find at least the cafeteria open especially at this time of year when more passengers cross over.
Cleanliness, service and appearance are what make it a pleasure to all passengers. So let us keep in mind the way our airport terminal is kept.
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Trish Cooper
Aug 13th 2010, 10:19
As an outsider who's visited Gozo twice this summer and will be returning many times over the next year, I'd like to put in a good word for the ferry service. It's very cheap indeed compared to many others in Europe, and the service and catering onboard and the terminal in Mgarr were excellent when we used them. Expecting catering overnight is, surely, a bit unrealistic at these prices?
anthea doughty
Aug 6th 2010, 16:36
My husband sent a letter by e-mail to the Times of Malta last week. One of the things he mentioned was the ferry service. We found the ferry service to be disgraceful in the attitude, rudeness and surliness of the staff at the ticket booths, the total disorganisation of the staff that are supposed to over-see the traffic unloading, (one guy who was supposed to be directing the traffic out of Mgarr walked away to talk to someone and then threw his arms up in the air and started shouting when cars started going the wrong way) and yes the state of the toilets, both at the terminal and on board the ferries.We have been coming to Malta & Gozo every year for several years now, but we are beginning to get a bit fed up with the high cost, the total lack of any kind of structure or organisation and the outstanding rudeness of staff whether they be at ferry terminals, restaurants, hotels or petrol stations. Plus of course the cost we have to pay as a tourist to cross over - we are not coming back.
C Cassar
Aug 6th 2010, 18:52
Expensive? You're joking aren't you? Last time I went it cost €15.70 for myself and my car included. Last time I used the Isle of White ferry (which was older and dirtier) it cost me £90 for my car and myself - that's €108. The journey time is about the same around 20mins and yet in the UK it costs nearly seven times the price in Malta. With regards the toilets, the only reason they get dirty is because of the people that use them. So next time be a little more careful when you do use them and think of others who want to use them after yourself. There is much room for improvement at the terminals at either end but the ferries themselves are excellent and are relatively new (delivered new within the last 5 years).
W Spencer
Aug 6th 2010, 23:34
@ C Cassar
We use the Isle of Wight three times each year, and we pay between £40 - £45, thats a car and two adults. The journey always takes an hour each way, so where you go for 20 minutes is a mystery. Fresh cooked meals are available, the staff have always been polite and helpful, and the tables are cleared about every 10 / 15 minutes A pleasure !!!.
savior attard
Aug 6th 2010, 15:29
Do you think waiting in Cirkewwa at that time is any fun?
C Cassar
Aug 6th 2010, 12:30
It's unfortunate that the word "maintenance" and terms such as "attention to detail" are completely missing from the Maltese vocabulary.
Why not send planners and local council members to places such as Netherlands, Austria or Germany to see how such facilities are constructed and more importantly MAINTAINED? Why are the Maltese so disorganised and show themselves to be so dirty? Why leave everything to decay and rot? What is it about Maltese culture that the lack of care about the environment is so ingrained? These unfortunate points have always left me wondering why all this is so. Maybe someone reading this blog can expalin since most of you are Maltese and have lived in Malta for many years.
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 6th 2010, 12:11
Once the ferries run round the clock, the terminal should be open round the clock and kept tidy 24/7. One doen't need a rocket scientist to understand this.
TRW O'Neill
Aug 6th 2010, 11:58
It is the Maltese physquie, the Authorities are still living in Napoleonic times, as though they owe no responsibility to the Peasants, who incidently pay their undeserved wages.They do not know that they do not know !. as a friend of mine quoted.QED.
Paul Busuttil
Aug 6th 2010, 10:39
We can build monstrous useless buildings but when it comes to their upkeep We fail miserably.
Nothing new as usual only in Malta.
Vince DeBono
Aug 6th 2010, 10:43
Just imagine the maintenance schedule for the Malta-Gozo bridge !
Dan Cohen
Aug 6th 2010, 10:39
Welcome to Malta where this kind of disregard for anything that requires a little extra effort is non-existent!