Postal services

Gone are the days when a letter posted prior to 7 a.m. reaches its destination in Malta that same day. That is what I would call efficiency.

Since Maltapost values its customers' opinions so much (The Maltapost News, September 2005), I hasten to ask why collection times are not kept. Maltapost employees are seen collecting mail at all hours of the day except for those specifically indicated on collection boxes. This frustrates customers.

According to the same newsletter, queuing, like traffic jams, is here to stay. While agreeing in part with Maltapost, comparing queuing at Maltapost branches with queuing up at the dentist, supermarket, etc. is absurd. People go to Maltapost branches to avail themselves of postal services - to buy postage stamps, register letters, post or collect parcels etc. Queuing up with those who need services completely unrelated to Maltapost is a waste of time. Settling bills is outside the duties of Maltapost. However, if Maltapost is happy to offer these services in return for a commission, a practical solution has to be found not to create undue hardship to its direct customers.

I have voiced my opinion on this subject, many times. I feel the only way to avoid undue frustration is to introduce bill-paying days and/or times.

Thankfully, Maltapost is finally realising that the current system does not do it credit.