Buses and the air we breathe

The Mepa report published last Friday indicates that improvements have been made in lowering air pollution.

On Saturday, during a 20-minute car journey from Sliema along Regional Road to the High Ridge turn off, I encountered no fewer than five buses all belching black exhaust emissions.

By far, the worst offender was one (registration number supplied) which should be removed from service immediately and forced to pay a huge fine. Unfortunately, I was trapped behind this bus as it ascended towards the Forum Hotel and so was forced to inhale the dense black fumes. I'd like to know how this vehicle has, to date, escaped the notice of traffic wardens, green wardens and/or officials from the ADT and is allowed to flagrantly break the law.

Furthermore, what gives selfish owners of offending vehicles the right to subject drivers and pedestrians alike to the health hazards of exhaust emissions and pollute our environment so unnecessarily?