7,000 use the new Barrakka Lift
Some 7,000 people used the new Barrakka lift yesterday.
The new lift was inaugurated on Saturday evening by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt.
Patrons can use it free of charge until the end of the year.
Many of those who used it yesterday commented that it was smooth and very fast by local standards. It takes 25 seconds to go up or down.
Among those who used the lift on its first day yesterday was a man who recalled how he had used the former lift on its last day, in 1973.
Another man pointed out that a signboard from the old lift, fixed close to the new one, is pointing in the wrong direction. But a spokesman for the Infrastructure Ministry said that signboard was put there only for the inauguration ceremony and will be relocated.
Visitors yesterday also praised the way how Lascaris Ditch in the approaches to the lift opposite the old Customs House has been cleaned and rehabilitated.
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102 Comments
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PAUL ALTON
Dec 18th 2012, 13:03
Now that the lift is operational and many other building works in Valletta are approaching completion, how about finishing what the Turks started and dig out the gorge between the Grand Harbour and the other harbour, opposite Fort Manoel.
PAUL ALTON
Dec 18th 2012, 13:00
I am anelderly British tourist who regularly visits Malta, particularly Valletta, and will willingly pay one euro to use the lift. As I recall, the only other way from Valletta to the waterfront area is to take a long walk down the road hill, cut through down the steps past the old hospital, and continue down another road hill. Coming back up is difficult so the lift is a welcome service.
Francis Grech
Dec 21st 2012, 00:08
Paul as long as you enjoy the view going up or coming down on the state of the art new lift you can do so to your content but don't ride on it when it is windy you might find your self stuck in the middle as a little bit of wind will cause it being operative.
C AZZOPARDI
Dec 18th 2012, 09:00
Nixtieq nghid prosit lil haddiema kollha li hadmu fuq dan il lift, u stinkaw lejl u nhar biex seta' jitlesta u jitinfetah nhar is-Sibt li ghadda. Prosit hafna.
victor caruana
Dec 18th 2012, 08:56
Good to have a new toy...and free for some time. but I cannot understand, quote 'it was smooth and very fast by local standards'. What does this actually mean?
Are we rough and slow in all other matters?
Pierre Giusti
Dec 18th 2012, 08:54
The lift is a needed improvement for Valletta, but why on earth is the sleek beautiful structure surrounded in ugly mesh ???? What should look amazing looks absolutely horrible !! .... surely we could have used bullet proof glass if safety is the issue !
A charge to use it? We've been trying to revive Valletta for years, so yes, it should be free for everyone to use. No excuses.
Walter Sultana
Dec 18th 2012, 01:31
I am very happy to see the Lift is back in operation Looks they did very good Job Walter Sultana from Canada ..
Silvio Farrugia
Dec 17th 2012, 22:01
I hope that labour will not say that it is ''Lussu'' like they said about the flowers and plants by the road sides and roundabouts and also when the brakewater bridge was fixed after 60 years !
Joseph Fenech
Dec 17th 2012, 22:00
Proset tal-lift first class.State of the art.Bicca xoghol tajba,nghidula tajba u mhux l-istess kantaliena u monotonija li dejjem immaqdru.!!!!!
M Galea
Dec 17th 2012, 20:21
In my opinion the lift is quite very useful for example for people with needs and an euro is worth it. During the 25 second journey up or down you can observe and admire the beauty of the Maltese habour
(MG)
Alfred Falzon
Dec 17th 2012, 19:03
"Patrons can use it free of charge until the end of the year."
Quite a good publicity stunt which will draw crowds to the capital city.
The caretaker Government stands to gain, but it's all in the game.
Anyway, the project deserves our appreciation in that it is not a "soft opening" but a real inauguration of one brought to fruition!
Congrats to all behind it!
Alfred A Falzon
Anthony Attard
Dec 17th 2012, 22:27
Please note that, as far as I know, Malta does not have a "caretaker" government. The government remains in power until a new government is sworn in.
Robert Lewis
Dec 17th 2012, 18:23
Fair enough that one has to pay to use the lift. 3 questions I would like to ask. (1) Are the tourists going to be treated like Arriva or pay the same fare as maltese this time, being a connection to the Cruise Liners terminal. (2) is the 1 euro charge per trip or return and (3) who is running this business the Govt or a private firm.
carlos ellul
Dec 18th 2012, 06:58
Toursist pay more then locals because part of arriva subsidies are paid through the taxpayers money. Such procedure is common in various areas in europe for example venice. Do you think its fair for locals to bail out tourists?
Robert Lewis
Dec 18th 2012, 12:52
@Carlos Ellul. So can you explain to me why I have to pay again if I go to Gozo and use Arriva, but if a Gozitan comes over to Malta, he/she can use the same ticket. Anyway what is the answer to my question, do tourist pay a differnt fare.
Kurt Magro
Dec 17th 2012, 18:04
Nispera li tal- Lejber ma jghidux li hu ikrahh,,,
Ivan Mizzi
Dec 17th 2012, 17:41
Nispera li ma jghidulux lift li ma jwassal ghal imkien.
G A Bonello
Dec 17th 2012, 16:19
Another option could be to liaise with Transport Malta to have some bus routes from the South to Valletta pass along the new road from Marsa to the Waterfront and stop in front of the lift, rather than pass through the heavy traffic of Marsa and Floriana. Buses can then carry on round the peninsula coming up to City Gate via Marsamxett side.
Raphael Dingli
Dec 18th 2012, 03:10
and Arriva should do a deal with the Lift management to inlcude the price of the lift with the bus ticket purchase - will save on lots of administration and attract more custom.
Joe Grech
Dec 17th 2012, 16:07
The previous lift stopped functioning in 1973.
The new lift began working at the end of 2012.
Such a long, long, long time lapse....39 long years most of which were under PN.
Is this the Efficiency which Prime Minister Gonzi declares our country is getting and entitled to?
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 16:17
Grech don't you ever stop moaning? The lift was never a priority and it was Mintoff that took it down habib! Actually, just in case you forgot, 25 years of the 39 you mention were under a PN government bar an 18 month Labour pit-stop gone massively wrong! How can anyone be so negative?
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 16:56
Joe Grech, will you still nag nag nag when Labour is in government? I hope he does HALF the good the PN did in the last 5 years!!!
John Zammit
Dec 17th 2012, 17:13
IT should be noted that the old lift was removed as no one was making use of it
Joe Grech
Dec 17th 2012, 17:14
@Tonio Borg
You are being silly and Politically Biased in your comment my friend. How can you declare that the lift was ''never a priority'' ? Tourism and locals NEEDED it and the new lift will certainly be a godsend.
I am not interested in your political drivel.
Joe Grech
Dec 17th 2012, 17:18
@Charles Vella - Why do you accuse me of nagging? I only stated the facts as they are but you, being Politically Blinkered, came up with plain rubbish for arguments!
To me this has been an inefficient and irresponsible administration. there is so much SLEAZE about! I hope for better stuff from the incoming lot.
carmel parnis
Dec 17th 2012, 17:43
Sur Grech bejn 1973 u 1987 hemm 14 il sena allura dawk ma jghoddux ghalik ? Allura ghax semmejt il Gonzi biss ?
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 18:23
@ Joe Grech - My bias was directed at your futile sarcasm and lack of objectivity and positivity! No it was NOT a priority. Both the lift and the bridge over the breakwater were approved to recreate two important landmarks in the capital and more so because EU funding was available covering the majority of the costs. My drivel was provoked by you being shade of red. Say again?
Joe Grech
Dec 17th 2012, 20:12
@Carmel Parnis - What you point out is very true - even the PL did not do anything to install a replacement lift. But does that make my argument - that this is an inefficient and sleepy administration - any worse?
Joe Grech
Dec 17th 2012, 20:19
@Tonio Bone - You accuse me of ''futile sarcasm and lack of objectivity and positivity! '' (positivity?).
You declare that the lift was NOT a priority. You really must be dreaming saying that!
So according to you EU funding was used to produce two white elephants! Shame on your stupid and politically blinkered ''reasoning''
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Dec 17th 2012, 21:12
@ Joe Grech.
1. The lift stopped because there were no one using it.
2. It became a priority since the PN launched the watefront and Malta was on the cruise liners schedules
3. Malta joined the EU and this priority became a reality with the EU funds.
4.WE joined eight years ago and the PN started building/changing Malta to what it is today.
5. Now you can rethink about the lapse of years.
Andre Grech
Dec 18th 2012, 08:59
Joe Grech don't make ridiculous comments. The lift was not working for 16 years if labour government and 3 labour prime ministers. At least Dr. Gonzi opened something Dom Mintoff closed. Your comments are some of which will give the PN another term who already recovered 4% in the polls in the last 2 months.
j brincat
Dec 17th 2012, 14:53
It was for free as an election gimmick!!!!!
So, we revisit when patrons are eventually made to pay to see whether it was cost effective!
(jb)
Wilfred Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 16:56
Yet another Maltese "gemgem ." Get your head out of the deep recess it's in. I'm sure if your beloved PL had built the lift they would have done the same thing.
Carmel Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 14:52
Maltese gemgem as always until the day Labour is in Government when everything will be free like in the past.
Andre Grech
Dec 18th 2012, 09:02
Will they ever be in government? Their supporters make disgruntled nationalists to vote PN again.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 14:40
Very nice- but how does it benefit the locals? Where can I park down below to use the lift? Where can I, who lives in Malta, go by using the lift?
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 15:43
Andrew, the lift was rebuilt for the following reasons: because it has a sentimental and historic value, because it will be an attraction and landmark, because it will assist paying tourists that land at the VWF from cruise ships and because it was 85% funded by the EU. Not to mention that the area under the bastion was regenerated from what had become a rubbish dump! Everyone will benefit!
G A Bonello
Dec 17th 2012, 15:48
Lots of parking spaces down by the Waterfront.
Now you have 3 options when parking there.
1/ Walk to Valletta (free)
2 Use the tunnel to MCP Car Park and get the lift there up to the Mall (free)
3/ Use the new lift (€1)
C. Bartoli
Dec 17th 2012, 15:51
You can park in the floriana car park and use the tunnel to the waterfront and then use the lift
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 15:59
Bone: if the lift was built for sentimental and historic reasons, why was no the opera house rebuilt? Bonello: I don't think you have been in the area for many years- the closes parking might be available near the Waterfront. Bartoli: it would be easier to park in the carpark in Floriana and walk to Valletta then the lengthy walk you describe. In simple terms, for us residents it is impractical.
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 16:11
Andrew, the Opera House was not rebuilt because the EU did not give us 85% of the cost to build it! Furthermore, the new lifts are a modern version, and no one wanted a modern theatre! Thereagain, in your case, you can ignore it's existence and do like you always did!
A. Sciberras
Dec 17th 2012, 16:55
You can also park on the Valletta Waterfront quays at Euro 2.50 flat rate.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Dec 17th 2012, 19:05
Amazing how difficult for someone like AC is to say prosit thank you. This is a very much needed investment that all Maltese will benefit from it because it generates bussiness and somehow the result will reach everyone directly or indirectly. That is how the economy works. The Government will also pocket more taxes without increasing any, on the contrary it will be in a position to give cuts.
Charles Muscat
Dec 17th 2012, 14:34
So, no power failure as many PL hoped for.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Dec 17th 2012, 14:28
Another project delivered on time and within the proposed budget. I used it yesterday and I must say thank you to all those involved for the whole project including the surroundings in the port area. Another investment thanks the EU funding that Malta will reap dividends in the future. More projects are about to be finished and the PN will have more proof of their deliveries. Thanks
john grech
Dec 17th 2012, 21:11
about the eu funding
we are having 35 million euros from eu and giving back 66 million euros each year
bilhaqq ............. we still have the chance to have 400 million in the next two years
James Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 14:25
Yes pay just €1, or else use the stairs, and please stop moaning. In all other European countries you pay the same ammount to piss in a public toilet!!!!!
Joseph John Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 15:52
Haven't you forgotten that these islands are full of moaners and whiners. You're right about the toilets abroad. I even paid €1.50 in luna park toilet.
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 17:00
I paid 2 Euro to use the toilet in VIENNA AIRPORT!!!!!!!!! Imma hawn Maltin, msieken jaraw biss is SUPERONE, u msieken qatt ma hargu l'barra minn dil gzira... msieken.
Mr Dylan Olliver
Dec 17th 2012, 14:01
Well done to all concerned. And the price is very reasonable.
Frans van Avendonk
Dec 17th 2012, 13:59
1 Euro is still cheaper than taxi drivers charge people from cruise-ships to take them up to Castille, even if they stuff four in a car.
Stannis Baratheon
Dec 17th 2012, 13:48
Keep yourself fit, use the stairs! Or be lazy and stay unhealthy and use a lift (and pay for the privilege)
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 13:54
Seriously?
Jessica Debattista
Dec 17th 2012, 13:24
I know of at least one country where you have to pay for the water that falls on your roof. You pay according to the floor area. Imagine that!!!! BTW water is abundant in the country I am alluding to.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 14:38
Why are you 'alluding'? Are you afraid that if you name the country it will sue you for libel? Go on, name the country.
M Cachia
Dec 17th 2012, 16:57
Indeed; in the UK i pay for drainage of water off my property, and that includes rainwater
Colin Stanley
Dec 17th 2012, 13:06
why are so many comments made about the price , one can always walk to valletta for free, I for one am very pleased to see the lift there again, i think it's a good thing, when we had the other lift we still had to pay, and why not.
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 13:05
Just heard that it wil cost 1.00 euro to use the lift from 1st January... much more affordable then I had in mind. Well done!
Dave Alan Caruana
Dec 17th 2012, 13:46
seems a fair price that will encourage people to use the lift ..
Chris Sammut
Dec 17th 2012, 13:03
Those of who expect everything free are still living in another era and also never ever went to other countries. Nothing is free anymore, some people expect comftability but then are not ready to pay for it. Here in UK even that we pay road tax for instance, to cross a bridge with need to pay a toll charge and even to use certain motorways for shorten our journey we have to pay extra. So, com on.
Harry Cameron
Dec 17th 2012, 13:25
In the more civilised part of U.K. we don't Mr. Vella. Here in Scotland all roads are toll free & bridge tolls were removed several years ago.
M Cassar
Dec 17th 2012, 14:03
@ Mr Cameron
Well I guess English tax payers will be glad if you get independence. At least they'll stop subsiding the Scots.
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 14:09
@Harry Cameron
I think you should get out more... and travel around the world. If you did/do so, you wouldn't say what you just said mate.
Mr Lawrence Mifsud
Dec 17th 2012, 13:02
Anyone is Free to go down or up the stairway....it's FREE!
P Bonnici
Dec 17th 2012, 14:32
Are there stairs nearby?
Mario Scicluna
Dec 17th 2012, 13:01
Daqshekk, solvejna il-problemi Socjo-politici kollha issa! Aljenazzjoni galore, u fernezija biex nikxfu xi lapida l'hawn, xi bicca gnien l'hemm etc. Bhalissa panic shih mal-pajjiz u soft launches biex infittxu nidhru li qed isir xi investiment u xoghol strutturali ta' fejda! Troppo tardi, mhux ta' b'xejn il-poplu xeba minn GonziPN!
G Caruana
Dec 17th 2012, 13:24
Fej qed tara panic siehbi, fuq is super one? Mela adek ma qrajtx il program elettorali tal lejber?
Joseph qal li l' lift ha jkun bxejn ukol.
had ma qallek trid tuza il lift, hemm it tarag apposta ghal .dawk li iridu kollox bxejn.
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 14:13
You serious Mario? ...maaaaa x'biza ta nies!! Il panic fi hdan il Labour qied habib ghax ghandkom ghatx ghalieh il poter wara 25 sena fl oppozizzjoni... Il haga li tbezzani hi, li wara 25 sena ta oppozizzjoni ghadkom ma hrigtu b'xejn sura biex vorsi thajjruni nivvota Labour! Jien imxebba b'GonziPN, izda tighd mhux se nivvota ghal partit li lili ma joffrili XEJN! U track record ta dejn u qaghad!
Mario Scicluna
Dec 17th 2012, 14:32
@G Caruana
Int ok siehbi??? Min semmilek xi haga li rrid nuza l-lift lilek? Min semmielek li rrid kollox b'xejn?
Nahseb li vera mela qieghed in Panic Mode, tara wisq Net TV, ghax hlief fantasiji u terinati(jekk taf xi tfisser) m'intomx taghmlu. Il mument jasal ukoll siehbi, u toqghodx titbabqaq hafna ghand tal-grocer kif heggeg Xmun! Bilhaqq, qallek Simon x'fih il programm elettorali tan-Nazz?
Joseph John Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 15:57
Min irid ix-xoghol jgholli jdejh!!
Tonio Azzopardi
Dec 17th 2012, 12:58
''Users pay will pay €1 each to use the lift...''
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121216/local/Lift-on-at-Barrakka.449704''
V. Cauchi
Dec 17th 2012, 12:56
It is stated the signboard was put there only for the inauguration ceremony and will be relocated. Something similar happened in Pjazza de Valette when the next day media reported a stone stand on which was inscribed the name of the square was removed. Do opening ceremonies actually need to be stage managed?
Raphael Dingli
Dec 18th 2012, 03:15
Yes - it's called marketing.
fredu debono
Dec 17th 2012, 12:40
x'tippretendi.???? anke l-antik kien bil-flus. jaqaw tamel xi haga b'xejn? jekk inhu hekk hawn hasla platti ejja ghamilieli u kif tlesti hemm il-hwejjeg.
Joe Tabone
Dec 17th 2012, 12:37
Any project co-financed by EU for the benefit of locals and tourists, that will make Valletta more accessible!
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 12:30
Very impressive, and state of the art... The lift is also a nice man made structure which also blends well with the city + making it easy to be at the Valletta waterfront, and in 5 minutes being at the centre of the capital. Well done!
I hope the price one way, from the 1st of Janaury will not be more then 2.50 euro, a price which truly makes sense considering a taxi will take 5 - 7 euro. Nice!
C. Bartoli
Dec 17th 2012, 13:11
It will be €1 for both trips
joseph saliba
Dec 17th 2012, 12:19
Prosit Dr Gatt. Kif ghadhom ma sabux xi haga dwar il-lift biex jghidulek tirrizenja?!!!
adrian agius
Dec 17th 2012, 12:15
'Free of charge till the end of the year'
Does that mean that from January you have to pay to use a lift???
Marco Galea
Dec 17th 2012, 12:19
abroad you have to pay to use the roads, why are you surprised? you can always walk anyways
M Micallef
Dec 17th 2012, 12:25
din x'mentalita hi li rridu kollox b'xejn? xejn ma jsir b'xejn!
Mario Giuliano
Dec 17th 2012, 12:25
You must be joking, eh? What made you expect it be free? Of course one has to pay a fare ... even in the good old days one had to pay to use the lift.
Edgar S. Galea
Dec 17th 2012, 12:27
It is a pity that as from January lst one has to pay when one uses the lift because, locally, every person gives his services for free.
Mark Bord
Dec 17th 2012, 12:29
If the fee is a Euro or less, why not? Especially when considering the price for a taxi ride to Valletta!
Moreover, the general pool of users will be tourists,..
Carmel Tabone
Dec 17th 2012, 12:30
yes. 1 euro. Heard of this in the news.
James Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 12:31
Is the bus service free of charge?! Theefore like any other transport service, the lift needs to be profitable or at least to break-even to be able to cover its maintenance costs.... I can't understand how in this day and age there are still people expecting not to pay? if you feel like not paying, you always got the option to walk all the way up! No one's obliging you to use it!
laurent caruana
Dec 17th 2012, 12:32
Ir-risposta qeda fil-kliem tieghek
R. Saliba
Dec 17th 2012, 12:33
Yes and why not?
Charles Vella
Dec 17th 2012, 12:34
Yes you have to pay... in neighter cities in a civilized world, the use of lifts like this are free. In Rome to go up the wedding cake, and use the lift to take you up there costs 10.00 euro! This was 3 years ago. If it's 2.50 or maybe 2.00 euro it will be really worth it... but if it's more, i will not be using it for sure.
Derek Grillo
Dec 17th 2012, 12:34
Yes, like in the rest of the world. It is considered to be a means of transport, not just any old lift.
M Cachia
Dec 17th 2012, 12:35
Yes, or would you rather pay for maintenance and upkeep from your taxes??
J. Muscat
Dec 17th 2012, 12:35
It has already been said that the price of use of lift after the 1st January will be an affordable €1 and while using the lift yesterday I was also informed that Kartanzjan holders will ride free.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 17th 2012, 12:36
Obviously
Peter Montebello
Dec 17th 2012, 12:39
iIIIIIIIIIIII ara dawn ukoll! Mela bil-flus?
M. Attard
Dec 17th 2012, 12:40
For me doesn't make much difference with or without the lift, but still I never read anything about the actual fee for using this lift. Normally when you do a project, once calculate the revenues and costing before even considering the do it among other things.
Sam Cachia
Dec 17th 2012, 12:40
1 euro mhux xi flus kbar ejja!!
George Calleja
Dec 17th 2012, 12:43
You also pay to use the public toilets,my friend!!! Or are you considering using the lift as a social service too?
Maybe Joseph will include free lifting in his electoral manifesto?
John Portelli
Dec 17th 2012, 12:45
Yes that's what it means.
Shaun Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 12:47
Of course!! Why not? Why should it be free? Nothingis for free in this world.. let alone a lift!
B Ellul
Dec 17th 2012, 12:48
What's wrong with that?
Anzi, forget that it has been installed and is working and continue doing what you used to do before, i.e. maybe using the stairs
John Scerri
Dec 17th 2012, 13:22
In Barcelona you pay 1 euro to go up to the top of Plasa Del Toro which is only 4 floors high.
If you dont want to pay 1 euro just go on foot .
The Barakka Lift was NEVER free , not even in the old days.
adrian agius
Dec 17th 2012, 13:34
WOW!!! OK OK.
NO NEED TO EAT ME !!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: