Miracles and the Sliema parking scheme

Reference is made to the article entitled “Judicial protest against theTransport Minister, Prime Minister, Transport Malta over Sliema parking scheme”. Originally we were informed that the decision by the Government to issue a legal notice to repeal the residential parking scheme in Sliema was until such time as a new parking scheme policy is issued.

I have been writing to Transport Malta (TM) to enquire about a particular residential parking in another locality since 21 November, 2014. So far, the information I have received from Transport Malta leaves much to be desired. I am still in the same position that I was almost two years ago. This is the information I received following various enquiries and reminders.

On 6 May 2015, almost six months after my original enquiry of 21 November 2014, Transport Malta informed me that “at the moment the Authority is revising the Parking Policy. Subsequently all parking schemes will conform to the provisions of the new policy”.

On July 20, 2015, TM informed me that “the car parking policy is being discussed at inter-ministerial committee”. After further enquiries, on March 25, 2016, TM advised me that “it is in the final stages”.

How long should one wait for the transport watchdog’s socalled “final stages” to be over? I hate being taken for a free ride (the pun is intentional) notwithstanding the fact that it is coming from Transport Malta so I decided not to follow my enquiry, pending for almost two years, any further.

We have recently had a Minister saying that “miracles are not performed”. I do not think I was asking for a miracle. Apparently, efficiency is only a perception for Transport Malta.

Alfred Mangion Kappara