Indefinite bus strike from today

Commuters will be the worst off as bus drivers, locked in disagreement with the Transport Ministry over subsidy and reform issues, yesterday decided to go on strike as of today.

The Public Transport Association (PTA) said the general strike was indefinite. "On Friday we had given the ministry and the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) a 48-hour ultimatum," it said.

As with the issues that had characterised the strike ordered last August, PTA chairman Victor Spiteri mentioned as the main bones of contention disputed subsidies the government still has to pay for 2005 and a reform in the public transport service which, Mr Spiteri said, the government wants to push down the association's throat.

The ministry was quick to react, criticising the association for calling a general strike over Lm50,000 which represents a disputed sum of subsidies.

The government is insisting that the subsidies owed for 2005 amount to Lm1.25 million, a substantial improvement on the subsidies for 2004. But the association claims that this is still not enough and is asking for Lm1.3 million (Lm50,000 more or Lm98 per bus).

Out of the Lm1.25 million pledged, the government still has to pay Lm150,000. In fact, during the discussions, which led to this latest standoff, the government had proposed to pay Lm100,000 immediately and the resulting balance on March 15, after settling the issue during discussions, a ministry spokesman said.

But Mr Spiteri questioned this move, saying no meeting was called after the offer was made and that, at the very least, the government should pay the entire undisputed Lm150,000 up front.

However, the issue is not the money, he insisted. "Regardless of the money, the association just cannot tolerate the way the government is trying to dictate the reform ahead."

Despite the fact that the government had agreed to pay all arrears for 2005 by January, it did not, he insisted, adding that this was in order for the government to retain a bargaining card with which to force the association into accepting the planned reforms. "This is simply not acceptable to us," Mr Spiteri said.

When asked what it would take for the association to consider lifting the strike directive, Mr Spiteri said the PTA would have to receive immediate payment of the undisputed arrears and a change of attitude on the government's part with regard to the reform negotiations.

The ministry reacted, saying the PTA had agreed to the reform in October and that it was a pity that this issue was being used to obstruct such important changes as those being proposed in public transport.

The government last night announced an emergency bus service to St Luke's Hospital.

Emergency bus service

The Malta Transport Authority said the emergency bus route service from the outlying villages to St Luke's Hospital will run as follows:

Route 1

Departure:
From Birzebbuga: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Birzebbuga terminus, Triq Birzebbuga, Triq Zejtun, Triq Herakles (Qajjenza), Triq tat-Truncieri, Triq l-Arznell (Marsaxlokk), Bir id-Deheb, Ghaxaq Bypass, Gudja, Santa Lucija, Tarxien, Palm Street, Marsa and then follows usual route to St Luke's.

Route 2

Departure:
From Zejtun: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Zejtun terminus, Ramla Bay, Jerma Palace Hotel, Triq il-Qalliet, Marsascala terminus, Triq Zabbar, Zabbar Road, Fgura, Paola Square, Paola Hill and then follows usual route to St Luke's.

Route 3

Departure:
From Senglea: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Senglea terminus, Cospciua waterfront, Vittoriosa (Café Riche), Kalkara, Tal-Hawli, Verdala housing estate, San Gwann t'Ghuxa, Ghajn Dwieli, Paola (Villa Moran), Paola Square, Paola Hill and then usual route to St Luke's.

Route 4

Departure:
From Mqabba Square: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Mqabba Square, Qrendi terminus, Triq it-Tempesta, Triq iz-Zurrieq, Zurrieq terminus, Safi centre, Kirkop, Luqa (through tunnel), Luqa Square, Marsa and then follows usual route to St Luke's.

Route 5

Departure:
From Siggiewi terminus: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Siggiewi terminus and then follows usual route to Zebbug terminus, Mdina Road, Qormi (Ta' Farsina housing estate), Triq l-Isqof Scicluna, Qormi (San Gorg terminus) and then follows usual route to Hamrun and on to St Luke's.

Route 6

Departure:
From Dingli terminus: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Dingli terminus, Rabat Road, Dingli Road, Vjal il-Haddiem, Rabat, Triq Riebu Well, Rabat - St Rita terminus, Triq Gheriexen, Villa Rumana, Il-Bieb ta' l-Mdina; Saqqajja terminus, Triq il-Pont, Attard, Attard terminus, Balzan, HSBC Balzan, St Theresa church, Birkirkara (station) terminus, Fleur-de-Lys (Birkirkara), Triq il-Kbira, Santa Venera, Triq il-Kbira Hamrun and St Luke's.

Route 7

Departure:
From Mellieha terminus: 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Mellieha terminus and follows usual route to St Paul's Bay, Triq Toni Bajjada (Gillieru), Triq il-Plajja tal-Bognor, Triq il-Promenade, Bugibba Square, Bugibba/Qawra terminus, Triq il-Promenade, Triq il-Hallel, Triq il-Pijunieri, Imwiezeb roundabout, Triq Burmarrad, Mosta, Triq il-Konstituzzjoni, Mosta, Triq il-Kungress Ewkaristiku, Mosta roundabout (Subaru showroom), Naxxar terminus, down Labour Avenue, Naxxar, Lija (Orienta) and then follows usual route to St Luke's.

Route 8

Departure:
From Birkirkara, St Helen's Basilica terminus 6.30 a.m., 3 p.m.
From St Luke's: 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

Birkirkara St Helen's Basilica and follows normal route to San Gwann, Naxxar Road, Regional Road, St Andrew's (near lotto office), Paceville terminus, normal route to St Julians, Balluta, Sliema, Gzira, Ta' Xbiex, Msida along the promenade and normal route to St Luke's.