Transport watchdog probes case of racial discrimination

Bus drivers are in the spotlight once again for their discriminatory behaviour towards black people and the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is investigating the latest incident.

The ADT received a report that on July 17, at about 1.05 p.m. in Valletta, the driver of a bus on route 64 tried to stop four women - three of African origin and another from East-Asia - from boarding.

The incident was witnessed by a member of the National Platform of Maltese Non-governmental Development Organisations, which yesterday issued a statement condemning "the clear case of racial discrimination".

The witness was queuing with the women to get on the same bus. When the women tried to board and pay, the driver told them the bus was full and they could not get on.

"Our member immediately intervened, pointing out that the bus was not full and that at least 25 seats were still free. The bus driver then turned around and signalled to the other people queuing so that they could board the bus," the organisation said.

The women of African origin had turned away from the bus, and waited on the platform for another bus. In the meantime, the Asian woman boarded the bus, together with some presumably Maltese people, who had joined the queue.

"Our member actually got off the bus in Msida as he felt uncomfortable staying on after this incident. Before getting off he told the bus driver that a report would be filed with the authorities," it added.

Coincidentally, on boarding the next bus to Sliema he met the same three women of African origin. It turns out that they were all Swiss nationals, one of them was in Malta to study for two months, and the other two were her friends.

"The National Platform of Maltese NGDOs would like to stress that everybody in Malta should live free of any racial, religious or gender-based discrimination. Incidents such as these cast shame on our country," it said.

The organisation is made up of the Centre for Faith and Justice, Inizjamed, Integra Foundation, the Jesuit Refugee Service, Kare4Kenya, Koperattiva Kummerc Gust, Kopin, Graffiti, Share Foundation and Third World Group.

Contacted yesterday, a spokesperson for the ADT said such behaviour should never be condoned and it would be taking all the necessary disciplinary action.

"The public transport is there for everybody and we urge people to report such incidents and give us all the details so that we will be able to take action," she said.

This is not the first time bus drivers have been accused of racial discrimination. Last May, a bus driver barred two black men from boarding his vehicle and numerous letters were sent in by readers who said they had witnessed similar incidents.

The Times also recently received an account by a Nigerian student, Ohabin Festus, who is studying at the University of Malta, and often faces racial abuse from bus drivers.

"While trying to board a bus from the University bus stop, one driver said, 'Issa, issa, this is Malta , not Zimbabwe'," he said.

"The second time, when I got on from the same stop, the driver asked me if I was going to Hal Far. I later learnt it's where they keep the illegal immigrants. The Maltese should start celebrating their diversity, instead of dehumanising black people," he added.