More people using buses as talks on reform continue

The number of people using the public transport rose by 7.2 per cent in the first seven months of this year, a clear indication that the system has improved, the Urban Development and Roads Ministry claimed yesterday.

Reacting to comments made by Alternattiva Demokratika on Sunday that it had failed to tackle the dire situation in public transport, the ministry issued a statement listing the things it had done in the sector.

Apart from the introduction of the Park and Ride scheme in Blata l-Bajda and numerous new routes, the ministry had been working on the public transport reform for months.

The Cabinet had approved a structure for the reform which will address the contractual framework between the government and the operators, a programme to replace buses, improvement of the routes schedule, enhancement of the infrastructure and an innovative system to manage the service, the ministry noted.

In the coming weeks, the ministry and the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) will intensify discussions with the Public Transport Association in a bid to conclude discussions by autumn.

Talks are also ongoing with public transport operators in Gozo so that the service on the sister island will be incorporated in the framework of the new regulations aimed at improving the service, the ministry said.