Last Thursday I had to visit Mater Dei hospital and prior to leaving, I went to pay the parking ticket.

Since I did not have any small change, I gave the machine a €20 note and the machine gave me back the change for €10.

I pressed the machine’s ‘help’ button and after five minutes a lady came along, joking and saying: “Ha, ha, ha – it took your money” and, in a sarcastic way, I replied: “Yes”. She then took me to the ‘control room’ and the man there told me that he could not check the matter thee and then and that I would have to come back “next week”.

He only wrote my name and mobile number on a small piece of paper, which I doubt he will find later on, and told me that “they” will call me. He said that he does not give out money because he had once been cheated. On my way out of the parking lot, the machine took my ticket and therefore I now have no proof. So who will give me my money back? 

I am certain I am not the only person to have had this experience.

Jürgen Scicluna