Public Transport reform getting priorities wrong

Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that the priorities of public transport reform should be the provision of a decent and affordable public transport system, which is accessible for everyone in Malta and Gozo at all times of the day. AD said that what initially looked like a positive bus reform is now being characterised by wrong priorities.

Ralph Cassar, spokesperson on energy, industry and transport said:‘A new public transport system should mean investment in the newest, best and cleanest available technology. Government spending should concentrate on providing a good public service with a view to reducing the use of the private car especially in highly congested and polluted areas and for routine commuting. There have even been reports in the press that second hand buses from London might be used in Malta. Just the fact
that old Euro 3 buses will form part of the so-called reformed public transport system is astounding, especially coming from a government led by a Prime Minister who insists that environment is one of the pillars of his government's policies. There are a list of facts that contradict this statement including his attempts to postpone the
coming into force of EU clean air standards.'

‘AD objects to the lack of transparency and accountability is the way the government dished 53 million Euros to award compensation to bus owners. While the government is obliged to give a form of compensation to owners who relinquish their license, the government is duty bound to explain how it had arrived at such a figure at a moment when the Maltese are facing increased utility tariffs and economic uncertainty.'

Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU and international Affairs, asked:‘Why are Euro 3 buses still part of the government tender? It does not make sense that the government will be effectively subsidising the new company by offering them cheap buses bought through public funds. Instead of assuming the role of broker between old and new bus operators, the government should have obliged the new company to buy Euro 5 buses which would have been an effective step in imporving air quality and which hace a much longer life in service.’

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, concluded:'AD  insists that the priorities of public transport reform should be the provision of a decent and affordable public transport system, which is accessible for everyone in Malta and Gozo at all times of the day. AD objects to Government's unwillingness to continue subsidies aimed at improving and safeguarding basic services. While we also would like to see subsidies decreased through the introduction of more rational operational systems, this should never come at the cost of unprofitable routes - which should still be provided as a public service. Government must ensure that new operators do not treat unprofitable routes
as second class ones'.

'AD agrees with job guarantees for public transport employees but this should be conditional on retraining to ensure that these employees abide to health and safety rules and basic rules of conduct.  The fact that drivers will attend a course for this aim is positive but we hope that would not be a cosmetic exercise. Also the fact that employees are being offered 10-year guaranteed job with the new service provider at a very poor wage of €9,486 a year, does not augur for a productive and satisfied workforce'.

‘After years of so-called reforms, a failed bus-ticketing system and poor service to most parts of the island, not to mention the near inexistence of a public transport service in Gozo, we are now seeing a spending spree in old technology and misuse of public funds. Private interests and this government's penchant of  making promises to all and sundry to clutch on to power at all costs is coming back to haunt us. In this regard there is no difference between both the PN and PL who are
bending over backwards to out do each other in pleasing everyone at the taxpayer's expense’.