Double-decker buses await ADT go-ahead

Garden of Eden has not yet given up on its 12-year bid to operate three open-top double-decker buses, deemed a safety risk by the Malta Transport Authority, and now wants the vehicles to undergo another roadworthiness test.

But a month on, the transport watchdog (ADT) has not yet replied, Garden of Eden director Alfred Spiteri said.

The double-deckers had undergone a VRT in May but, despite having passed, they were only given a report but no certificate, Mr Spiteri claimed. His lawyer, therefore, wrote to the ADT a month ago, requesting authorisation to carry out the tests again.

Meanwhile, the issue has also been taken up by MEP Joseph Muscat who pointed out that it was being dragged on for too long.

In his letter to the ADT chairman, Mr Muscat said it was a matter of lack of good communication and requested the exact conditions whereby a vehicle could be prevented from taking a VRT.

The ADT had concluded that the operation of the three double-deckers in the Maltese urban environment could pose a safety risk in that a standing passenger on the upper deck would have inadequate frontal protection from overhanging wires, trees, building protrusions and other street furniture.

A week ago, The Times asked the ADT to comment on why the VRT certificate had been withheld, but, to date, it has not responded.

In 1993, Angelo Spiteri had obtained permission from the then Public Transport Authority to import three double-deckers from the UK and drive them from the docks to the company's depot in Ghaxaq. But, unfortunately, that is where their journey ended.

Until today, Mr Spiteri and his sons have not realised their objective to operate the double-decker tours of Malta and have been fighting the authorities since.