A Gozitan surgeon may have to cancel operations because he cannot jump the ferry queue at rush hour, but senior politicians, the chief justice and ambassadors are on a long list of people permitted to drive straight onto the ferry without queuing – even if they are simply heading to Gozo for a break.
Last Thursday, The Times reported that despite waking up at 5.30 a.m., Gozitan consultant ophthalmologist Franco Mercieca sometimes missed two morning ferries as he waited in the queue in Mġarr, arriving at Mater Dei more than an hour late and consequently having to cancel operations because his allocated theatre time had elapsed.
Mr Mercieca’s priority boarding pass was withdrawn by Gozo Channel last March, apparently because there had been casesof pass holders abusing theirprivileges.
Ironically, however, the prospective Labour candidate will regain a pass if he is elected as an MP at the next election.
The current list of people entitled to priority boarding at all times on the Gozo Channel ferry, regardless of whether they have business to attend to across the water, includes the Prime Minister, the President, ministers, the Archbishop, the Speaker, parliamentary secretaries, Gozo MPs and the Leader of the Opposition, as well as former presidents and prime ministers.
Joining them on the privileged list are the Bishop of Gozo and Bishop Auxiliary, the Police Commissioner, Assistant Police Commissioner, the Police Superintendent of Gozo, the Armed Forces Commander and Gozo Channel chairmen, directors and senior executives.
Ambassadors are also entitled to priority boarding when travelling in flagged cars, while MPs, magistrates and judges can jump the queue when on official duty.
When contacted yesterday, Gozo Channel chairman Joseph Grech told The Sunday Times that Gozo Channel had been inundated with priority boarding requests over the years from people who felt their work was essential. This included requests from pharmacists, engineers, lawyers and others who performed important duties.
“One has to keep in mind that for every priority boarding afforded, another person is left aground with the inevitable consequence of receiving complaints from those who feel they have suffered an injustice.
“Unfortunately, a number of pass holders were making use of such passes even on the days when they were not on call, as well as on their return voyage. Added to this, pass-holders were often arriving at the marshalling areas just two minutes before departure.
“Gozo Channel has therefore decided to reform the pass system, and as a consequence, a number of passes were terminated and the official list is now available online,” Mr Grech said.
He added that Gozo Channel has embarked on the ambitious task to install hoistable decks on board MV Ta’ Pinu, which should ensure increased capacity and address the demand problems Gozo Channel is currently facing.
“The project is proceeding according to plan and the design phase of the project is already at an advanced stage,” Mr Grech said.
pcooke@timesofmalta.com