Insights from the Mediterranean

Only in Malta

Recently bus passengers had their trip delayed when a bus driver decided to make an unscheduled stop at a bus stop near to a supermarket. He turned off the engine and left the bus for a few minutes, before returning with a loaf of white bread while the passengers sat on the bus waiting for him. On another occasion, a different bus driver was seen leaving his bus, again with passengers on it, and crossing the road to buy a couple of pastries, before returning and continuing the journey.

A spokesperson for Malta Public Transport said, ‘We do not tolerate such disruptions to the service. All bus drivers are allocated adequate break times, and in the cases where traffic delays cause drivers to miss their allocated break time, they are given a break at the end of their trip. Apart from the safety issues of leaving a bus unattended with passengers on board, passengers have the right to expect to arrive from one place to another in a reasonable time’.

What I fail to understand is why Malta Public Transport seem to think that this is a meal break issue. Surely it is a bus driver taking the p*ss while on duty.

And on the subject of buses, here is something that I saw the other day.

Electric Scooters

I have seen many of these in Valletta where much of the city is pedestrianised, but this summer, they have become very prominent in other places around Malta, and have clearly been provided purely for tourists to hire.

The minimum age requirement to drive a scooter is 18 years of age, and the rider must hold a driving licence. I have been told that confirmation of this is asked for when someone wants to hire a scooter via an app on their phone. Maybe I should try it out and see what happens.

Wearing a helmet isn’t mandatory, although recommended. In reality this doesn’t happen because no tourist is going to buy a helmet just to ride a scooter. I have seen many people on these scooters happily riding helmet free, without any concern about their safety. The scooters are only provided by companies registered with the Maltese authorities, display a tax disc and are limited to a maximum speed of 20km/hr (12mph). They have built in GPS trackers to provide the user with details of pick up and drop off locations. The scooters are ‘activated’ by using a phone app and it costs €1 (85p) to unlock the scooter, and then 15 cents (13p) per minute.

Statistics

For those of you who know me, on occasions, I can be quite a sad person. I’m not talking about my mood, but strange things that interest me. Recently I have signed up for newsletters from the Office of National Statistics in Malta, and I have to say that what I receive, is normally very interesting. One which I would like to share with you is about tourism.

In July this year, inbound tourists to Malta were 325,457. an increase of 17.5% when compared to the corresponding month in 2022. The number of tourists in the first 7 months of 2023 were 1,614,749 and they spent a total of €1.4 billion (£1.2 billion).

The A to Z of Malta

As I start this feature and move through the A to Z, it may appear that there aren’t as many towns and villages that you would expect to find on the Maltese islands. There is a reason for this, so I will try to explain why.

The country is divided into 6 regions (one of them being Gozo), with each region having its own Committee (or council), serving as the intermediate between local and national government.

Each council is made up of a number of councillors (from 5 to 13, depending on the size of population they represent). A mayor and a deputy mayor are elected by and from the councillors. Councillors are elected every four years and people who are eligible to vote in the election of the Maltese House of Representatives as well as resident citizens of the EU are eligible to vote.

Local councils are responsible for the general upkeep and improvement of the locality (including repairs to non-arterial roads), allocation of local wardens, refuse collection and they also carry out general administrative duties for the central government.

There are a total of 68 local councils, 54 on the main island of Malta, and 14 on the island of Gozo, so it is those towns and villages that I will be concentrating on in this feature.

Attard

This is a small town located in the central part of Malta, and covers an area of approximately 6.6 sq kms (2.3 square miles) and has a population of around 11,000.

Historically, Attard was a rural area characterised by agriculture, particularly the cultivation of citrus fruits, olives, and grapes. Over the years, it has transformed primarily into a residential town with a mixture of traditional and modern housing. Despite its urbanisation, it has managed to retain some of its green spaces and agricultural lands, earning its reputation as one of the greenest towns in Malta.

One of the notable landmarks in Attard is San Anton Palace and Gardens. The palace was built in the 17th century and is the official residence of the President of Malta.

Balzan

This is a small town located in the centre of Malta, known for its peaceful and residential character, making it a popular place to live for both locals and expatriates.

The town has a history dating back to ancient times, and it is believed that Balzan has been inhabited since the Phoenician era, and later became a Roman settlement. Over the centuries, it experienced the influence of various rulers and cultures, including the Arabs, Normans, and the Knights of St John.

One of the prominent landmarks in Balzan is the Church of the Annunciation, which dates back to the 17th century. The church is known for its beautiful Baroque architecture and houses a number of artistic treasures.

Balzan is also known for its elegant palaces and grand villas, highlighting the towns affluent past. Many of the buildings have been preserved and are now private residences or public institutions. In addition to its historical and architectural attractions, the town has narrow winding streets and quaint squares, and although Balzan doesn’t have many tourist attractions compared to other towns in Malta, it has a very relaxed atmosphere.

Birgu

Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, is a fortified city on the eastern side of the Grand Harbour in Malta. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in the country and holds great significance in Malta's history as it dates back to ancient times and was ruled by various powers, including the Romans, Arabs, and the Normans. The town gained particular prominence during the rule of the Knights of St John, in the 16th century.

Birgu played a crucial role during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire attempted to capture the island. The Knights, along with the local Maltese people, defended the city against the invading forces. The siege lasted for several months and ended with the defeat of the Ottomans, marking a significant turning point in the history of Malta.

Today, Birgu is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and historic landmarks. The most iconic feature of the town is Fort St Angelo, a massive fortress that dominates the entrance of the Grand Harbour. Fort St Angelo served as the headquarters of the Knights of St. John, but it now houses the National War Museum, where there are various exhibits relating to Malta's military history.

Fort St Angelo

Birgu's narrow and winding streets are lined with traditional limestone buildings, with charming balconies and wooden shutters. The town's main square, known as the Collachio, is a local gathering place with cafes and restaurants. St Lawrence Church, which dates back to the 17th century, is another landmark in Birgu, and features an ornate interior and a stunning painting by Mattia Preti, a renowned Baroque artist.

I hope you had a great summer and see you next month.