Back to the Future: Senglea boosts boat services as bus transport falters
Boat owners in Senglea have launched a semi-regular harbour service using their traditional dghajjes tal-pass after people complained that the new Arriva bus service is taking far too long to reach Valletta.
The boat owners were among the first to suffer from competition when the buses were introduced a century ago.
But the promise of a six-minute boat trip to Valletta has drawn some custom back to the boats since the new route operated by Arriva takes commuters on a roundabout trip that includes Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Kalkara, Smart City, Xghajra and again to Kalkara, Vittoriosa then Marsa and Blata l-Bajda before reaching the capital.
The traditional boats pick up passengers from Senglea Wharf and drop them off near Customs House or the Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta. The trip takes all of six minutes at most.
Walter Ahar, who is helping organise the service, said that four trips are being performed in the morning, the first one at 5.30 a.m. Passengers are then picked up again in the afternoon. Each trip costs €1 per passenger and up to six passengers can be taken on each boat.
He said that the owners of these traditional boats, which used to carry Royal Navy sailors in days of yore, wanted to make the boats popular again with the locals.
He hoped that others would take the initiative to organise a mini-bus service from near Customs House to wherever their customers wanted to go in Valletta.
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Mr Carmel Pule'
Jul 14th 2011, 16:28
The Grand and Marsamxett harbour would be a little Venice if seat transport was more efficient.
While the Maltese Dghajsa is a reasonable craft, a better design could be used. I would suggest a 30 foot catamaran or a trimaran with a 360 degreess vectored thrusters, one at the back and one at the front end, enabling the craft to go ahead and astern and sideways and rotate on a sixpence or is it one cent these days. The passengers could be loaded over the stern end, with the passengers going through an archway, Two not one ROTA as in a Dghajsa and holding on to poggamani they would make their way to the seats arrangement over the Kursijja or Kriesi to the seating stations. The craft could take up to 20 people and with two 10 hp motors assisted by solar energy, they would reach ten knots which is more than enough for crossing from Birgu to Valletta and Marsamxett to Pieta or Manuel Island. If the gut under the Phoenicia or the lift is dug out the boat need not go out of the harbours but would cross thorugh this channel and from the grandharbour near the old custom it will bring you directly near the Exelsior hotel.
Such a craft would be economical to run and with 20 passengers it would be a viable proposition for the operators even at one euro per passenger.
It such a craft is made even larger say up to 50 feet, then this wave pearcing hull carrying 50 passengers could operate between Malta Harbours and Gozo reaching the destination in under one hour as a speed of 20 knots would be achieved with 50 horsepower. I think this type of commuting around the harbours would be a great step forward in transporting people and reducing traffic on our roads. The speeds discussed would retai the tranquility and peace of mind and taking the trip around in the evening and at night to see the lights , I believe it would be a contribution to introduce a relaxation trip around the harbours even for local people. No Car and no Bus could equal this offer starting at No One dock at Cospicua going in between fort St Michael and fort St Angelo, turning starboard tothe left down to the Dockyard creek to see the docks and under corradino to see the underground shelters and then all the way into Menqa to see the powerstation and the warm waters from the condensers and then a drink at the Marsa rowing club to see the racing canoes from Oxford they have over there. And then to Menqa up near the cruise liners and the air transportation stopping to have a drink at the Waterfront and then between the breakwater arches or perhaps a stop at the breakwater to run abot for an hour on the arched surface of the breakwater and go through the shelter or perhaps see the boom defence system, so historic in nature that lifted the net to defend our harbour during the war, and then proceed to the pieta and all around Manuel island to arrive to a more modern commercial district all the way to sleima perhaps . then back again to Ricasoli, Rinella arounf Bighi down to Kalkara to see some traditional boatbuilding and then around fort St angelo to have a snack at the Vittoriosa waterfront. For those interested in history , they could take off at Kalkara, get into the shelters wher Falzon oil depot existed, then through the shelters all the way to Sabu is-sinjur.here they would find me waiting and I would guide them through the shelters under ix-xejra ta Bormla to see the most beautiful crystaline waters and an underground substation prepared by the british and then down hill to the exit at No one Dock onthe Cospicua side. There it is folks all for free , it is already there for the taking and so few people know about these gems and diamonds we have in Malta around the Grand harbour. Boy I am a lucky man the way I spent my youth. I consider my Brothers and I living the life of Tom Sayer and Huckleberry Finn. I tell you that with modern living around the commercial districts, we are proud to own more unecessary necessities forgettin the good things in life which brings us peace of mind.
If any Government authority including the education department would like to be hosted around all these premises which I mentioned and consider them as a utility transport system to go to work during the day and for relaxaation and pleasure and romantic purposes during the evening and during the night, well I am prepared to give all this hosting for free. What is more , I would be proud to indicate to the education departments that education for boys and girls does not take place in classes and in churches, it takes place on God's land wherever you find it. There is much more to describe in the areas I mentioned. Each stop , each square inch has a history that was written in the dust and the wind has blown it away now, and it old peolpe like me who can rewrite it again. When my brothers and I are gone , these gems will go unnoticed by all those who prefer the light of Paceville or the class ot the church education.
Young people in Malta would love to live the life of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Fin and somewhat even adventures as that little boy in Treasure Island, including Long John Silver with Parrots and other means if , Il - Foss il Kbir and Il- Foss iz-zghir would be equiped with a version of Walt Disney Adventure Parks.
Oh Boy what a life I had living the rubbles of world war two. On the surface, Cottonera was regarded as a poor uneducated district, compared to the toffe nosed districts in Malta, but its richness had a different texture. While the parents worked the Naval Technology on the shimmering surface of the seas surrounfing the Cottonera, the children played with all this I mentioned including diving in the seas to get some gandoffli and maskli and a gringu or two with a few rizzi thrown in between. And I must not forget a few artikli taken home to cook in a sawspan with an egg or two thrown in to add palate to the brew.
Ther is not place like Cottonera in the whole world and recently and only recently till five years ago the Maltese people from the north are coming to realise the beauty of the tranquility at the few wine bars or the tiny resturants as Il- Petut and other dingy historic places. Oh How luck I am that with my brothers and sisters and a few other brave children we know much more of the hidden gems and rubies and diamonds that are hidden behind the andulation that make up Cottonera. I should write a book about all this and share it with the passengers who would use the water transport around the Harbours , which is what we started with. There is so much more coming to my mind, but this is enough for now, pity I have to stop recaling so much of my youth arounharbours where I realised at an early age that phase veleocity can reach greater speed than the speed of light and wave motion alonf sea banks ans breakwaters can reach much higher speeds than the wave itself. Now fathom that as while other students could not understand that at University I understoof it all by tinkering around the Grandharbour when I was just ten years old.
Pule'
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 14th 2011, 14:40
Their business will boom once the Barrakka lift is operating.
Elaine Bonavia
Jul 14th 2011, 12:27
brilliant! well done... now all that we need is a FULLY regular service, and some more info about times etc.. I will definitely use this service if it works for me - I already use sliema valletta ferry which is cheap, very efficient and enjoyable. just connect valletta to the south in the same way please and BYE BYE ARRIVA :)
it's so much better to travel by sea!
Alex Falzon
Jul 14th 2011, 12:27
You see how competitive us Maltese can be. Just from teething problems Arriva is facing right now (this will be solved shortly) boat trips were immediately launched... well done + hope that this idea continues in the future
Mr A Spiteri
Jul 14th 2011, 11:34
the beauty of the free market!
when people are free to engage in their own activity, without government restrictions and regulations, this is the end result...an efficient and cheap service!
i only hope that the people from the government and transport malta stay out of this!
Mr Victor Laiviera
Jul 14th 2011, 10:56
If the "Connections" Project, proposed by the short-lived Labour Gov of '96, and callously and cynically torpedoed for political ends, had gone through, this boat trip could start at Senglea and end at Sliema Ferries without hving to go out into the open sea.
Mrs Pauline Abela
Jul 14th 2011, 08:06
Well done. What a good idea. Good luck. I hope it will be well used.
John Scerri
Jul 14th 2011, 07:31
Very well done .
Transport Malta : better fix the whole mess of routes and reintroduce the old routes . Local councils who were consulted over such a disastar are either incompetent or illiterate and should pack up and resign.
Arriva sought expertise from TM (ex ADT) and Local counsils and this mess is all made in Malta.
Commutors are suffering hardship .
All commutors want is to GO THERE ..yes ...but AS FAST AS POSSIBLE .
The OLD BOATS DO IT ......Smart SENGLEA ...well done boat owner ...GET the LArge boats OUT as well .
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Jul 14th 2011, 07:22
Only one concern on this matter. As a means of transport they would fall under Manwel Delia. I am afraid that he would plan their route from Senglea to Marsa Power Station, then Marsa Sports Centre, then downhill rowing through Cottonera and then abutting in the Grand Harbour from Kalkara. All on the circular principle of transport.
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 14th 2011, 09:49
I am not 100% sure but there may be a solution already at hand.
There is a tunnel from Malta Car Park, `MCP` near the old Custom House, and I believe there is already a lift installed in the Car Park to the lower levels, sea level that is.
Maybe MCP could charge people crossing over by Traditional Boats from the Three Cities, going straigth up to the MCP exit at the Phoenicia Hotel near the Valletta Bus Terminal.
Perhaps a Cooperative Venture needs setting up, this will promote Healthy competition, as most Business in Malta has been taken over by Monopolies
John Carmel Navarro
Jul 14th 2011, 06:53
When the chips are down Senglea comes to the rescue once again, what a practical idea something that the powers that are cannot even dream about using the majestic dghajjes tal-pass the Grand harbour provides a natural means of crossing between the Three Cities and Valletta. The new ill fated bus service especially from and to Senglea has just not come to fruition; I honestly hope that these fine old relics from the past can make their venture pay. It’s a wonderful sight to see the dghajjes gracing our grand harbour once again providing a much needed service.
Mario Sammut
Jul 14th 2011, 06:37
What a great idea. At the same time passengers can wallow in the beautiful scenery that is our Grand Harbour and bastions and take in the beauty of our islands . Well done !!!!!!
Emanuel Magrin
Jul 14th 2011, 01:05
Addio Traffic lights, Addio zebra crossings, Addior Bumper to Bumper, Addio Dhahen. Addio dewmin bla bzonn. PROSIT LILL ORGANIZZATURI.
G Debono
Jul 14th 2011, 00:30
A good two years ago the Think Tank book “”Towards a Low Carbon Society - the Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels.”” ) included a recommendation for a comprehensive Harbour ferry service – see paras 543 – 564 in this report which is available at http://www.tppi.org.mt/cms/index.php/reports
This is an attractive solution which has been staring us in the face all along….
Nathaniel Camilleri
Jul 13th 2011, 21:44
Smart city !!! lol what a big joke ! Xi jmur jaghmel hemm???
anthony attard
Jul 13th 2011, 21:31
Venezja ghandhom il gondoli uhawn malta kelna id-dghajsa tal pass li ghal xi raguni kienu sparixxew ghajr ghal xi wahda l hawn u l hemm . Kif jghijd il Malti kull deni hudu b'gid ghax forsi nergaw naraw id - dghajjes jghabbu it turisti li jigu bil cruise liners xi haga ta attrazjoni turistika u tradizzjonali. Inheggeg lil ministeru tat - turizmu biex jghati imbuttatura lil dan is-settur ghax hemm bzonn li dawn it-tradizzjonijiet bhal mhuma il karozzini ma jkunux biss parti mill-istorja.
Mr Peter Korsten
Jul 13th 2011, 21:30
A semi-regular service? That's how the buses started. Next thing you know, we'll have one operator for the ferry services and spend another €50m to buy out the boat owners. :)
Doreanne Zammit Caruana
Jul 13th 2011, 21:01
DOING TRIPS TO SLIEMA?
Mr Joseph Grungo
Jul 13th 2011, 20:55
What a brilliant idea and extremely enterprising too !! It's also keeping the traditional Maltese Dghajsa going. Given a choice between an unwanted sight seeing bus trip round half the island or a pleasant boat ride across the harbour, I'll choose the boat anytime. It may be 50 cents more for a return trip but it's still 50 cents well spent if it takes 6 minutes to get across the harbour compared with goodness knows how long to get there by bus. I bet pasengers don't have to wait for more than 5 minutes for a boat either. Beat that Arriva !! Good on you guys, keep it up.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 13th 2011, 20:55
As long as you don't get too greedy, there is good money to be made.
Sliema to marsamxett is another route that could be exploited.
Best of luck to all.
anthony attard
Jul 13th 2011, 20:52
Kieku il Mater Dei kellu jibda bil problemi li ghanda l- Arriva nassigurakom li ic cimiterju tal Adolorata kien ikollu jitkabbar malajr.Tridu tammettu li il progett tal Arriva lanqas jibda blebda mod mal Mater Dei, imbad dawn il problemi kolla, kemm hawn min ma jafx jisthi kieku kienu l- Awstralja dawn il kbarat , Gatt Delia and others ikollom jirrezenjaw mill pozizjoni tghahhom immedjatament. Il ministru kien qed jghati xjifhem li l-Arriva Buses se jkunu bil gwejnah tant kien qed jghamel fuss fuqhom.Din il marda se tiehu fit-tul bhal tal Libja sakemm ma jtirux xi rjus jew irattbu rashom u jergaw jghamlu ir -rotot kif kienu.Dawn mhux teething problems imma Rjus Ibsa li biex tghaddi tghahhom ibati il-poplu.
Astrid Vella
Jul 13th 2011, 20:18
Great to see the dghajjes busy again. I couldn't believe it when I saw that Government funded the setting up of a ferry service using speedboats, putting the dghajjes out of business once and for all!
This was one time when something tangible could have been done to support Maltese traditions and culture, but in spite of all our fine words we miss such an opportunity and consign the boatmen to the annals of history where we can coo over them in the pages of a coffee table book while some well-placed interests cream off the business in the harbour.
Denis A. Darmanin
Jul 13th 2011, 20:05
Pity that the City Cabs are no longer operating as the climb up to City centre is a killer in this weather
Bad timing and planning once again!
Mr Robert Formosa
Jul 13th 2011, 20:35
You can walk thru the tunnel that leads you to the car park outside City gate. So if you alight at Customs house it would be an easy uphill walk (and in the shade) with the last bit using the elevator at the car park. So in a few minutes you are there. This would apply also to those that work in nearby Floriana.
Victor Pulis
Jul 13th 2011, 20:56
This service is being offered with the initiative of the dghajsa men and has nothing to do with bad timing. The dghajsas have been plying the harbour waters for decades but now, with the bus transport in an almighty mess the dghajsa can once again come into its own. All that is needed is the support of the public. Let's not start putting spanners in the works. This is a great idea and coupled with the lift service (when it materialises) we may have a winner for once if the game is played well.
Mario Pace
Jul 13th 2011, 20:00
Undermine Arriva. Do it 1.5 euro return and put the bus route out of service on the Lisla side. You may need to twelve trips tough in the morning and the same in the afternoon or mid-day.
C. Abela
Jul 14th 2011, 08:01
Mario, do you really have me believe that it is that, you would say to a young man at his first job with Arriva?
Yeah let’s put in jeopardy the jobs of some 400 new employees. Hurrah!
Stephen Mangion
Jul 13th 2011, 19:38
The dghajjes tal Latini are to be next!!!!!!! Lets bring out back the best of Malta.
Albert Bezzina
Jul 13th 2011, 19:35
Smart city! :-)
Stefan Enge
Jul 14th 2011, 01:21
Its not a ghost town...
Mr ALBERT FENECH
Jul 13th 2011, 19:29
What a wonderful verdict on the obsession of a Goverment Administration that trumpets much about Malta's "development" as a result of digital, smart, tailored...drone...drone telecommunications. Senglea goes back to our traditional dghajjes tal-pass as a means of public transport for the people. Do we laugh or cry? Good luck to you Sengleans - you have shown what REAL Maltese enterprise means and simultaneously shoved two fingers at the so-called shabby progress that has enwrapped these islands. The Bible says that "man doth not live by bread alone". We say to our administrators, "man doth not live by shambolic spin alone".
ALBERT FENECH
Qawra
R. Lewis
Jul 13th 2011, 19:25
Minister, Manuel Delia and Arriva. You should all be ashamed and scrap your whole organisation. Can't you see that this a complete flop and something must be done urgently. I today decided to use the efficient Arriva Bus Service from Mosta to Hamrun. Leaving Mosta at 1030 and arriving in Hamrun at 1230. Then back from Hamrun to Mosta leaving at 1500 arriving at 1730. Can the Govt tell us whether any one is responsable for this froga. To go from Mosta, the bus went through Gharghur, San Gwann, Savoy, Sliema Ferries, a whole day tour, are you crazy. Plus of course at the price of euro 1.50 for all this crap. Can Mr.Delia explain to us what the 2 hour ticket is for, cause you spend 2 hours waiting on the bus stop.
Mr Alfred Cassar
Jul 13th 2011, 22:00
What happens if you pay for a 2-hour ticket and after 2 hours you are still on the same tour-of-malta route. will the driver make you pay for another ticket?
P Gee
Jul 13th 2011, 23:16
You used the wrong bus to get from Mosta - if you had taken the 31, 41 or 42 it would have been a much quicker journey.
R. Lewis
Jul 14th 2011, 11:49
@P.Gee. All the numbers you mentioned were full up, plus the fact that even the drivers don't know which bus number one has to take. After waiting for all that time in the scorching sun, I had no alternative but to take any bus to Valletta and back to Hamrun. The routes have to be organised by people who use Public Transport and not by people who travel with BMWs. The most afficinating thing about all these delays is that due that Bisazza Street was closed to traffic and Arriva had to reroute the buses extending the trip by 5 minutes, the Govt had to fork out euro 100000 yearly for 10 years totalling one million euro. So what does Arriva has to pay back to Govt for all these delays.
Kieron O'connor
Jul 13th 2011, 19:14
Should one ask if these boats have a passenger vessel licence with all the safety precautions required by such a vessel, or do you wait until people end up drowned in the harbour before asking?
Mr Ernest Vella
Jul 13th 2011, 21:48
dejjem ahjar milli tmut tistenna l-Arriva gox-xemx...profs
G Hoare
Jul 13th 2011, 21:54
nice 1 Kieron,, and i think if somthing goes wrong they might even blame the eccident on ARRIVA as they are being late
Richard Sanders
Jul 14th 2011, 00:32
oh for crying out loud!!!! why do we always have to moan about something so simple. It used to work before.
,
Raphael Dingli
Jul 14th 2011, 02:16
it seems to me that it is irrlevant - the risk of drowning against the risk of collapsing with heat stroke at a bus stop is in my view much less. after all - life is all about risk.
Tony Zammit
Jul 14th 2011, 05:41
I more ask you if Arriva knew what type of buses were needed for Malta climate. As some of these buses Arriva got with no A/C or buses with windows that could opened.. I’m ref to buses like That BUS- 300 and those white kinglongs. At least these small boats, we got opened air..I got a heatstroke riding BUS- 300 this week..
Mario Zammit
Jul 13th 2011, 19:11
Wonder why it took so long for something as elementary as this to save time, money. pollution, traffic congestion etc. to be implemented. Such simple measures should have been proposed years ago. Does it take a great mind to note that certain commuting routes are easier to take by sea, being an island surrounded by it or did our ancestors see things in a more logical way ?.
Stephen Magri
Jul 13th 2011, 19:02
Typical. Now that I don't live there anymore they introduced this service :)
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jul 13th 2011, 18:59
Wonderful idea. Keep it up boys. Inform the tourist industry and I am sure that Senglea will benefit.
Paul A. Camilleri
Jul 13th 2011, 18:53
As usual, we Maltese really know how to take heed. Prosit. Messrs. Austin Gatt and George Pullicino, HANDS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Kevin Muller
Jul 13th 2011, 18:53
Yes! Guys that's how competition works! Set up a website stating your schedule, make sure, you stick serously to it and off you go ! Charge the same fee as Arriva and you will see a lot of people moving on your boats! But be pleasant, well dressed and perform the best service possible and you will see progress, I am sure, cos nothing beats that - a calm and pleasant drive by boat to the heart to the capital of your country ! - if the weather turns bad - it's not in your hands and people will accept you can't perform that service. But inform them in advance by SMS maybe ?
Moira Heath
Jul 13th 2011, 18:52
If the trip only takes 6 minutes, it should have been a success ages ago. I'm sure even with the previous bus service, the trip would have taken longer than that ! Long live the dghajsa tal-pass! I'm sure a trip on it is a great way to start the working day, and to end it.
Victor Pulis
Jul 13th 2011, 20:15
The problem was the inaccesability to Valletta from the sea. But now, that the lift is on the cards the trip will be worth it. In my childhood it was common for us to go to valletta by dghajsa and take the lift to the upper barracca and presto we found ourselves in the heart of valletta. may those days return.
Joe Azzopardi
Jul 13th 2011, 18:49
With their mediocre service, senseless delays, ridiculous technical problems and manifest managerial incompetence Arriva Malta has brought us at a stage where we are regretting the admittedly lousy old transport system. With all its defects this was at least, to a large extent, reliable and reasonably priced where else Arriva are comparatively expensive and have not yet managed to deliver a fraction of the service the old system managed to provide. Where is Transport Malta in all this?
Mr Tony Borg
Jul 14th 2011, 07:43
Could the old bus service been revamped had they been paid a decent fare? It seems Arriva's fare is more expensive than the old fares, and one can even open the windows on the oldies. If one was prepared to spend some money there is no reason why the old buses couldn't been brought up to today's standards while still maintaining the traditional shell. I'm not bagging the new Arriva buses however the traditional buses look more the part.
T. Borg (Melb)
Maria Vassallo
Jul 13th 2011, 18:33
Not a bad idea!
But how will they reach Valletta from Customs House, on foot, in the scorching sun, in the rain, by Arriva?
And the total cost?
Mr Robert Formosa
Jul 13th 2011, 20:41
Use the tunnel that leads to carpark at Citygate
Tanja Cilia
Jul 13th 2011, 18:28
Next - Valletta to Sliema.
A. Attard
Jul 13th 2011, 18:28
great initiative!!!!!! :)
Mr Slim Bartolo
Jul 13th 2011, 18:24
From downunder i say BRILLIANT IDEA this brings back memories, and i'm sure it will work a treat with the Maltese and tourists alike. Its all ferdinkum mate. g'day
Astrid Vella
Jul 13th 2011, 18:16
I could not believe that the government paid to set up a boat service using new speedboats when the djghajjes were dying out for lack of custom. Where are all our fine words about supporting tradition and Maltese culture. Paroli biss in this case - one time when something really tangible could have been done.
Mr Robert Formosa
Jul 13th 2011, 20:43
The dghajsa has been in the harbour for centuries. It survived throughout. We will see about these funny yellow plastic boats.
Christian Bezzina
Jul 13th 2011, 18:14
at least arriva brought competition!
Anton Vella
Jul 13th 2011, 18:07
Kif jghidu: ergajna morna mitt sena lura. Meta gej il-lift tal Barrakka?
As it says: Have gone 100 years back. When the Barrakka lift is going to be installed.?
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 14th 2011, 01:40
I am not 100% sure but there may be a solution already at hand.
There is a tunnel from Malta Car Park, `MCP` near the old Custom House, and I believe there is already a lift installed in the Car Park to the lower levels, sea level that is.
Maybe MCP could charge people crossing over by Traditional Boats from the Three Cities, going straigth up to the MCP exit at the Phoenicia Hotel near the Valletta Bus Terminal.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Jul 13th 2011, 18:06
It will be even more attractive if and when the lift is rebuilt.
Victor Pulis
Jul 13th 2011, 18:04
Since some commentators seem to be perplexed at the amount of 'safety' on these boats how about investing in life vests which can be put on during the trip? this is done abroad and as they say better safe than sorry. Let's do this in a professional way.
Jeff Zammit
Jul 13th 2011, 17:50
Is there a website with times? I live in Fgura. I am ready to walk to Isla and travel to Valletta with this kind of transport, even in winter, weather permitting
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 14th 2011, 09:44
Better to board at Marsa or a new landing place at Corradino, near the No,6 Dock.
With a little bit of planning,
This Service could cover the whole Port area, How about a cooperative venture??
Healthy Competion is much desired in this Country, as most business, unfortunaly
Is run by MONOPOLIES.
Mariella Bonello
Jul 13th 2011, 17:45
Ta L'Isla ThE BEST!!!
Charlot Bartolo
Jul 13th 2011, 17:41
Excellent news. It will be useful for the business and will keep the tradition going.
And those that are concerned with safety should have seen these boats working in the time of the Admiralty. My father (who used owned and worked with 3 such boats) used to tell me that these boats used to take 12 or more 6ft drunken marines with ease. Now imagine the difference if you have 12 orderly people going to work.
Now lets hope that with this boast somebody may start thinking of reviving the traditional skills surrounding the building of these boats..
Mr Andrea Coppini
Jul 13th 2011, 17:36
the traditional Maltese art of getting by never fails to impress! :-) Well done for the initiative.
Mr Colin Camilleri
Jul 13th 2011, 17:34
a country in complete disarray! l-aqwa li Gonzi secured his €500 weekly increase
Mr George Portelli
Jul 13th 2011, 19:04
X'ghandu x'jaqsam!! nispera fuq kollox li inti m'ghandekx xi 2000 ewro paga fix-xahar. Din l-inizjattiva jghidula entrepreneurship mela complete disarray!!
Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
Jul 13th 2011, 17:25
Prosit! Viva l-Isla u s-Sengleani! How I miss living there.
Mr Edwin Vella
Jul 13th 2011, 17:24
I hope that no hero would ask them to register with the VAT department and they will vanish like all the Malta Lace workers.
Mr Giovanni Rizzo
Jul 13th 2011, 19:03
Titlobx xita f'Jannar sur Vella !!
Charles Busuttil
Jul 13th 2011, 17:23
An excellent initiative. I would like to ask one question though: are these trips insured by any chance?
Mr Vince Cachia
Jul 13th 2011, 17:38
Do you think that YOU are insured ON THE BUSES??? Here you do not need insurance. All you have to know is how to swim in case the boat splits up!!
Emanuel Zahra
Jul 13th 2011, 17:54
Tajba Vince, dhaqt wahda tajba!
Mr Edwin Vella
Jul 13th 2011, 17:22
Traditional Maltese daghajsa and typical Maltese Luzzu, Kajjik and frejgatina should be exempt from licences. These make up for the lost landscape of our harbours.
Mr Giovanni Rizzo
Jul 13th 2011, 19:06
Very true Edwin,but they all have a motor,so they have to be licenced.
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
Jul 13th 2011, 17:20
I have been on one of these boats recently. We went round the port area and I enjoyed it. However these boats appear to be ancient and I dont think that any safety precautions are in place.
Mario Pace
Jul 13th 2011, 18:21
Then don't travel on them you moron! or whimp!
Victor Pulis
Jul 13th 2011, 17:18
Well done at last! once the promised lift is ready this service will thrive if the owners see to it that the fare is kept low and reasonable. The people of the three cities should suport this venture not only for their own good but for the revival of the dghajsa service in grand harbour. This is one part of our heritage that can still be saved from oblivion. I suggest that the trips are extended to all hours of the day and this can be done by proper organization. Let's show how it's done!
cettina portelli
Jul 13th 2011, 18:37
i hope desperately that this catches on to the extent that we wont need the crappy ARRIVA service that we have in the three cities at the moment to get to valetta. honestly, 3 buses in 4hours and ALL of them full by the time they get to the centre of bormla!!! problem is, the lift needs to be working since in the heat of summer, its a LONG way to walk up to republic street!!! was just thinking.....why cant sliema do the same thing too?
Mr Carmelo Micallef
Jul 13th 2011, 17:18
Well done Guys!
Mr Tony Gatt
Jul 13th 2011, 17:11
As they say, it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good! Good for them- a bit of enterprise.
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