Emissions alert

Reference is made to the letter entitled Can't Get Through (August 28). The Malta Transport Authority is in total agreement with the correspondent with regard to his concern about the noxious fumes spewing from some of the older buses that form part of Malta's public transport fleet.

Testimony of the ADT's commitment to the provision of better air quality is the Emission Alert! SMS campaign that was launched last year with the aim of increasing awareness among all road users - motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians - of the negative impact of high vehicular emissions on health and the environment.

Since its launch, last August, to date, the ADT received no less than 74,346 sms reports. The total number of vehicles reported was of 37,119. Emissions tests have been carried out on 2,500 vehicles (including public transport vehicles). To further strengthen its commitment to reduce emissions, earlier this year the ADT provided training and equipment to the local wardens who are now also randomly carrying out road-side emissions tests.

The public is continuously encouraged to report vehicles emitting noxious fumes by sending an SMS with the vehicle registration number to 5061 1899. Each SMS costs 2c for both Vodafone and Go mobile subscribers. All reports are strictly confidential. To conclude, allow us, through this newspaper, to thank the public for the degree of civic responsibility, co-operation and support it has shown, and continues to show throughout this campaign.