I think we are making a mountain out of a molehill regarding the higher fares for tourists. Admittedly, the way it was announced leaves much to be desired and, although I tend to agree with what Austin Gatt said, he could have said it in a more diplomatic manner.

Having said that, when one considers that a €15 ticket for seven days is equivalent to approximately Lm5, it is not at all a high price to pay and I am sure the tourists will not go bankrupt because of this.

It would also pay them to get this ticket because they will have a good bargain. If we were to be really honest, tourists have been ripped off for many years by bus drivers who do not give them the correct change, so I suppose that, indirectly, they were already paying a higher fare than the Malta residents.

Also, I have on many occasions met tourists who said that the bus fares were really cheap in Malta.

■ E. Abela

St Julian’s