Letters • January 04 2004

Gozo Channel’s pluses and minuses

Joseph G Bonett
Ghajnsielem

The employment of the twin level garages in the hold of mv Melita by Gozo Channel on the early morning 6 am crossing from Mgarr, Gozo to Cirkewwa is a step in the right direction. This ensures that vehicles are not left stranded in this very popular time slot.
However, other operating procedures leave much to be desired. For example, are customer care consultants required by Gozo Channel to insert a zig-zag line for passengers within the covered tent at Mgarr, Gozo? This would ensure that those queuing to buy a ticket are sheltered under the passenger tent, especially in the bone chilling early morning temperature when hundreds go to purchase a ticket to board the ferry.
Another shortcoming, which has cropped up recently, is the utilisation of just one ticketing clerk instead of two while other employees of the company, in one instance numbering five, are present in the passenger tent not doing much, and about 8 to 10 in the ferry’s garage likewise underemployed. And finally when are the rubbish skips, with at times unsightly brimming waste bags, to be removed from in front of the embarkation/disembarkation ramp at Mgarr, Gozo?