Open Ghadira road before 15th June says PN MP as traffic jams continue

May 16 2022

Anyone venturing towards Armier or Ghadira Bay may have ended up spending up to two hours in a massive traffic congestion as the scorching summer sun beat down on the vehicle.

This prompted PN MP Ivan Castillo to speak out and urge the authorities to open up the Ghadira road as soon as possible to reduce the long traffic jams caused by road works.

Castillo said that if the road is not opened up by the 15th of June, the traffic jams will be extending into the rest of the week as many make their way to the beaches in the area for summer.

Last week, the Malta Tourism Authority, along with the Building and Construction Authority and the Planning Authority, revealed that no construction work will be allowed in tourist zones between the 15th of June and 30th September.

Also about a week ago, Castillo had raised alarms about the problem which seems to have become a weekly occurrence on the weekend. Now, he has also revealed that several people have even outright cancelled bookings, even in Gozo, due to the jams.

‘We are still in a position to change it; fix the chaos Ghadira is in, and get road opened ASAP. I appeal to the Government, let’s be responsible and finalise what we can and continue works in a more appropriate time’ he said.

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160,000 tonnes of waste collected by WasteServ in 2021

May 16 2022

WasteServ noted a reduction in all waste streams in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic period seeing less waste being generated.

The Malta Independent was informed that less waste was collected in 2021 when compared to both 2020 and 2019.

Last year saw 163,565 tonnes of wast collected, whereas in 2020 the amount stood at around 176,733 tonnes. In 2019, the figure stood at 175,546. The figures include mixed waste, organic waste and the recyclable green grey bag.

Statistics reveal the amount of mixed waste, recyclables and organic waste that was delivered to WasteServe facilities collected by local councils across Malta and Gozo. In 2021, up to 109,532 tonnes of mixed waste, 30,716 tonnes of recyclable waste and 23,316 tonnes of organic waste were collected.

Wasteserv said that despite last year a record amount of waste was collected, at 19,000 tonnes of recyclables processed, there still remains a lot to be done. There was no explanation for the discrepancy between the amount of recyclables collected and those processed.

Wasteserv noted that the public is separating more and more as more awareness is generated. Education and awareness are key, said the organisation, as more campaigns to help the audience understand the importance of separation and recycling in the works.

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Cool Ride Pooling rebrands as Cool with a mission to reduce single occupancy rides on Malta’s roads

May 16 2022

Cool Ride Pooling, Malta’s first ever ride sharing service launched in 2019, has rebranded as Cool with a customer promise of delivering an affordable everyday transportation service, available anytime and anywhere.

“We believe in making a positive impact on traffic congestion by aggregating multiple passengers into the same vehicle. We believe that sharing a ride is a win for our customers as it allows them to save money, and a win for the environment as it leads to less cars on the road. Cool continues to be the only ride sharing company on the island and facilitates the goal of living in a better Malta, one with less vehicles and more green spaces. We are a mobility company that is not scared to get its hands dirty in working for a better future – for our customers and for our community alike,” said Michael Debono, Executive Director at Cool.

Ride pooling is a sustainable alternative mode of transport that brings together several passengers travelling towards a similar direction and replaces a large number of private vehicles that would have only catered to the needs of one individual.

The principle benefit of Cool is to remove the need to constantly use a private vehicle for certain commutes, therefore reducing the number of vehicles on the Maltese roads and tackling the congestion problem. By removing the need for a private vehicle, Cool will also contribute to the replacement of car parks with greener community spaces.

The new and improved Cool will continue operating via its highly intuitive mobile application. Cool believes in addressing the needs of riders and drives and offers the peace of mind of fixed prices catering for riders that want to commute on a budget. Weekday fixed prices stand at Eur7.95 for a ride of up to 12km, and journeys over 12km cost Eur12. Shorter trips of up to 5km cost Eur5. In addition, Cool also offers customers the option of private rides.

Cool “rides with pride” and ensures that its drivers are treated with respect and are not exploited, whilst ensuring that its drivers provide excellent service so that riders can relax and enjoy themselves as they get to their destination. Cool is currently in the process of recruiting new drivers to join its ever-growing team on a full-time or part-time basis. Cool takes care of its drivers, offering attractive employment packages that also factor in work-life balance. Interested parties can contact Cool on [email protected] or +356 2014 7600

Cool is operated by Debono Group, a company that has deep roots in Malta’s automotive and mobility sector. For more than 60 years, Debono Group has been the agent of Toyota in Malta, entrenching the business as one of Malta’s leaders in the mobility scene. As the country and the rest of the world look towards a greener and more sustainable ways of commuting, Debono Group and Cool are on a mission to promote a holistic approach to mobility.

For more info and to download the app visit cool.mt.

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McDonald’s to sell all 850 Russian restaurants due to Ukraine invasion

May 16 2022

Fast food giant McDonald’s will be exiting the Russian market and wills ell all of its 850 outlets in the country following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Back in March, McDonald’s announced it will be closing down the restaurants, where it employed upwards of 62,000 people.

However, on Monday, the mega business went a step further and revealed that after more than 30 years of operations in Russia, it will be exiting the market in the country and will sell all.

A statement issued by the brand revealed that ‘the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and thee precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald’s to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald’s values.’

After the sale, the restaurants will no longer be allowed to use the name, logo, branding or menu of McDonald’s.

Russia accounts for 9% of the company’s revenue and 3% of its operating profit. Chief executive Chris Keempczinski said that the brand is exceptionally proud of the 62,000 employees who worked in the restaurants. ‘Their dedication and loyalty to McDonald’s make today’s announcement extremely difficult.’

Guess the Russian guy who hoarded Big Macs when the war broke out was right after all…

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