• After this column highlighted the steps blocking the pavenment in Kampanella Street, Fgura, a couple of weeks ago, double yellow lines were painted in front of the house. How about a red carpet now? What a pantomine! Who authorised the double yellow lines?
Camera shy
• Why did the Malta Tourism Authority instruct beach supervisors not to allow anybody to take pictures on bays falling under its responsibility, citing the Data Protection Act? Is the MTA stopping tourists from taking pictures of our beaches, a prime feature in the island’s selling drive overseas? Rather, it should be encouraging them to do so, not cautioning them. Can the MTA chairman, a lawyer by profession, kindly look into it and order a public explanation to be made... and perhaps a public apology too?
Red letter message
• A Maltapost customer wrote to complain that some postmen either cannot read or else completely disregard Do Not Bend notices in bold red type on envelopes. It is a real pity that certificates from foreign universities are bent just to fit in a smaller post box rather than ringing the bell to hand deliver the item. Maltapost should instruct staff to handle mail with care.
Do they care?
• Motorists had hoped that the advent of new blood at Transport Malta would bring along fresh ideas, dynamism and a proactive approach, but that does not seem to be the case. Look at the traffic chaos that persists during the rush hour/s near the Independence Monument in Floriana, to name just one example. This column has pointed out that the return of Transport Malta officials there would ensure a smoother flow of traffic even when the lights are red. But they continue to be conspicuous by their absence.
Slow cabs
• There already seems to be a public debate on whether horse-drawn cabs (karozzini, in Maltese) should be retained or not. Some may be willing to accept them in certain areas where tourists congregate but having them gaiting slowly along main roads on their way back to the stable is something else altogether given the long tailbacks they often cause. Some owners use a transporter. Perhaps this should become compulsory.
More equal than others
• There had been much talk by the Labour Party, prior the election, about rights for disabled persons. However, only a few months later and the Office of the Prime Minister has decided to go back on its promises. A parking spot reserved for disabled users, further up from the post office at Castille, has been taken over by the OPM. It should be restored immediately.
Daylight robbery
• Does Transport Malta still regulate white taxis? Have the taxis been installed with meters? It is disgraceful how the owner of a white taxi at Castille on Tuesday charged a couple with a baby €15 to take them to the Excelsior, barely a two-minute drive away.
A dog’s life
• Thumbs up to Melita Cable plc, which recently posted a sign at its outlets saying that dogs are welcome inside and that this was better than leaving them outside in the heat or in the car. As the summer heat soars, the decision taken by the company, which also provides the pets with bowls of fresh water, is highly commendable. One hopes other shops and businesses follow suit so no animals are left in cars under the scorching sun while owners run their errands.
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