On October 19, I went to buy a seven-day ticket for non ID-holders from a ticket vending machine in Sliema. This costs €12.

Not having any coins I inserted a €10 note which was accepted. Then I inserted another €10 note. The machine didn’t accept it.

Standing by was an Arriva representative. When I asked him for assistance he exploded in a barrage of anger, telling me “No money!”.

I had no other choice but to cancel that purchase. Instead of a €10 note, the machine issued a voucher which I had to present at the Arriva office at the bus terminus in Valletta. I went to Valletta by the ferry services to have that voucher cashed. When I got there an employee told me the cashier was off that day and that I may call again another day.

I would also like to refer to the fact that I am being discriminated against by Arriva and have to pay more than the locals.

It’s my 16th trip to Malta and I never had reason to complain. But this latest experience was the worst.