Public urged to back government over bus emissions
The environment NGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) said this morning that it wholeheartedly supported the firm stand taken by the government regarding emissions by buses.
"It is time that the pollution caused by these buses is eradicated," the NGO said.
It criticised the position taken by the Public Transport Association which represents bus owners, and urged the public to support the government¡¯s stand on this issue.
"The pollution created by these buses is of a highly dangerous nature and the health of the public will continue to be endangered as long as these buses are allowed to run with engines that are defective, tampered with to save on fuel, not properly adjusted or being run on inferior fuel," FAA said.
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Alfred Fenech
May 19th 2008, 11:36
The public should be made aware that it is in their interest to take a couple of days off the bus.
We are prepared to give persons on the stage a lift in order to prove people power.
If not than we diserve all we get and more.
C. Camenzuli
May 18th 2008, 10:41
The Goverment should take over all public transport. Get new buses. Scrap the old ones.Compensate the drivers and start afresh. The whole system needs an overhaul. Train new drivers with decent uniforms and polite manners. Proper destinations boards on buses. Proper Bus route maps and route nos on bus stops. Need I go on.
I back the government 100%.
A Bezzina
May 17th 2008, 18:29
Come on. MEPA should get ready to install the defusion tubes near Saint Anne Street Floriana to get air pollution levels when the public transport goes on strike. I predict a reduction of 40% in the PM10 peak levels, a 60% reduction in SO2 peak levels and a 20% reduction in NMVHC levels during the duration of a Public Transport strike action.
J oatmon
May 17th 2008, 18:06
Surely in Malta no one is above the law?
It seems to me that all road vehicle users must obey the emissions regulations, or their vehicle is not permitted on the public roads.
No 'special interest group' is exempt from the law, not bus drivers, bird hunters, firework makers, horse riders, footbal fans etc etc.
caroline crutchley
May 17th 2008, 17:40
What a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! STRIKE ON LETS CHOOSE A DAY.
I WILL GIVE A LIFT TO ANYONE AT A BUS STOP ON THAT DAY FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE CAN ALL HAVE A SIGN IN OUR WINDOWS OR A FLAG FROM THE WINDOW
PEOPLE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David Stephen Ganado
May 17th 2008, 16:29
Cassar E had a great idea! What if the public went on strike to show the bus ownres/drivers we mean business.
I dont use the buses, but i will be more than willing to offer a lift to whoever i see in the roads just to help them stick to the strike! Lets pick a day (or two) and show them that its about time they stopped taking us all for a ride (pun intended)
Joe Tabone-Adami
May 17th 2008, 15:40
Bus-users' anger is once again being raised now because of an irresponsible driver who has been reported for 100 noxious emissions in a twelve-day period. I would not, however, generalise against all bus drivers, and would tend to agree with Mr John Muscat about a substantial number of customer-friendly and good mannered ones.
connie borg
May 17th 2008, 15:19
about time to make these driving manipulators behave themselves like other citizens too. we were being mess on mobiles about emissions alert! we are not policeman or authorities ,it';s time to see that everyone has to make sure that everwwhere is safe to breathe after all they have families and friends.all they do is play cowboys all the time
C.N.Aquilina
May 17th 2008, 13:08
I wish to say that every one must understand that old times when everybody use to do what he wants, where he wants and when he wants now are finished.
We are living new time now, where everybody must be kept responsible for his bad doings. Please bus owners and drivers be intelligent, be honest, be gentleman, be Christians, be humane and respect all the humane beings that had the wright for safety on your bus, and to live well without your bus smoke in their lungs.
You are against the interests of Maltese people health
We are with the government best environmental polices for our good health.
victor pulis
May 17th 2008, 12:03
@ CJ Allen The laws against pollution were always there but they were never enforced. Now, thanks to the faceless mandarins in Brussels the authorities will be forced to put their foot down and take action. What's wrong with that? polluters are not contravening Europe's laws but ours and it is a real shame that we have to be pressured by foreigners to observe our own laws.
H Farrugia
May 17th 2008, 12:00
This is for the Minister responsible for Public Transport. Not for the ADT which is no authority at all. Please see to it that Buses do not take hours to arrive from a to b , that they do not drive idly and as slowly as a tortoise, whenever they want; that they keep strictly to the times of departure and arrivals at destinations. This should be the job of the ADT instead of sitting pretty doing nothing. Moreover let's truly reform the Public Transport system and no discounts to the owners please. If the price of a ticket has to go up, let it be, BUT we want a truly reliable and efficient system. The public stands four square with the government on this issue. Let's all call their bluff.
J. Tonna
May 17th 2008, 11:38
Of course we will. It was not the first time that, when going uphill, a bus driver notices me trying to overtake him and he would cover me with a cloud of these emissions. J.Tonna
Cassar E.
May 17th 2008, 11:37
How about the public organising a bus strike before they do. We can all refuse to use the public transport for one day and let them sit waiting at the bus terminus for us all day. No pollution from them that day and hopefully they get the message.
Monica Pace Bonello
May 17th 2008, 11:33
About Time as well! it has plagued me for so long - I have endured being smothered including my dearest family with thick black exhaust for so long - I thank the Government for having the guts to put their foot down - though it took too long at least it is finally happening!!!
Hooray for cleaner air!!!
john muscat
May 17th 2008, 11:12
It is not only bus emissions that the governement has to look into when dealing with public transport. There is much more such as very dirty buses not even fit to be used as chicken pens, torn or broken seats, no punctuality, some drivers and i must stress some take shorter routes. i lodged various complaints regarding the service but it seems that only pollution is being considered an issue.
Anyway i suggest that instead of employing ticket inspector these persons would me more cost efficient if theri tasks include those of seeing that the bus is clean, the seats are not torn or broken and the bus is punctual and goes through the correct route.
I also like to compliment a number of drivers who are very customer friendly, and helpful to tourist and in the morning greet you with a "Good Morning" and "Thankyou" when you pay the bus fair. Keep it up.
Charles Busuttil Dougall
May 17th 2008, 10:52
I agree that buses should be submitted to tests about emissions. I further suggest that these tests should be made immediately after spot checks on the roads during the normal working day. The same should apply to other heavy vehicles includes lorries, cranes, bowsers, etc. Naturally this should also apply to ALL government vehicles.
CJ Allen
May 17th 2008, 10:51
Bus operators need to clean up their act - literally! - and soon.
We don't make our own laws now, the faceless mandarins of the European Commission do; and we gave them the power to impose huge fines on us for contravening their laws. If they use this power - and they will if they have to - the Maltese taxpayer will be footing the bill.