Greedy parkers have their license temporarily suspended or revoked by TM

Over the last year, one car park attendant had his license permanently revoked by court action and three others had their license temporarily suspended, Transport Malta told The Malta Independent.

Abusive behaviour by parkers has been a point of contention for the Maltese people for a long time. Five years ago a petition calling for the removal of all car park attendant licenses was launched and it garnered over 2,500 supporters.

Following years of complaints, in 2014, Transport Malta affixed signs that can be seen today in several public car parks.

The signs erected state that the car park is a public one and that “payment of gratuities/tips are voluntary”.

Over the years, Transport Malta has stepped up its efforts to monitor parkers, and their operations, in an attempt to cut down on abuse. Several car park attendants have had their license suspended over the past few years.

In January 2018, a person posing as a parker landed a six-month effective prison sentence following action by Transport Malta officials, together with the Police.

The transport watchdog has noted, on several occasions, that drivers can park for free in a public parking space and that tipping is voluntary.

Officials from the Authority even carry out random inspections periodically and even conduct “mystery shopping” exercises, as part of their monitoring exercise, Transport Malta told this newsroom.

This follows an incident whereby a car park attendant at a public carpark in Blata l-Bajda asked a driver to pay a fixed fee, despite a Transport Malta sign being present in the carpark.

The parker requested that the driver pay him €2 and no receipt was given. He was seen wearing the official Transport Malta tag, proving he is a licensed attendant.

The incident was reported to Transport Malta who also confirmed that the carpark is a public parking space.

A report on its own is not enough to take action against parker

Transport Malta said its officials investigate the reports it receives. A report on its own, however, is not enough to take action against a particular parker, especially in circumstances where the person lodging the report is not willing to testify on the incident reported. In that case, there would be no particular evidence to present in court, the transport watchdog said.

According to the law, no-one can act as a carpark attendant without a license issued by the Authority for Transport in Malta. Someone wishing to apply for a license must apply to Transport Malta and pay an annual fee €11.65.

The license is only valid for a specific carpark and at specific times. The photo card tag, that should be worn by the parker at all times, should indicate such information and will also include the parker’s I.D. number and the license number.

A license is only issued if Transport Malta is satisfied that the person is “of good character and is fit to carry out his duties,” the law indicates.

The parker is also responsible for the cleaning of the parking site during the time he is operating. He is also required to use all care and diligence to ensure the orderly entry, parking and exit of vehicles in any carpark under his charge, and to prevent all thefts from, or damage to, such vehicles.

Furthermore, he shall note down in writing the registration number of any vehicle involved in a collision or other incident at such a carpark, and report the particulars to the Police.

The authority urges the public to report any abuse on the number 80072309.