Agreement over bus emission tests

An agreement has been reached over bus emission tests between the government and the Public Transport Association, with the latter lifting its directive to bus owners not to take their vehicles for testing.

The agreement follows talks between Transport Minister Austin Gatt and PTA president Victor Spiteri, a joint government/PTA statement said yesterday.

Last week, the PTA directed bus owners to shun emission tests until it was assured that transport authority officials carrying out the tests were suitably qualified.

It also wanted the bus drivers themselves, and not the ADT officials, to drive the buses during the tests.

The joint statement said the Malta Standards Authority (MSA) will now be asked to decide what criteria should be used to conduct these tests. In the meantime, the emission tests would carry on under the established procedures.

After viewing the qualifications of ADT officials who conduct the emission tests, the association said it was satisfied with their technical qualifications. On its part the ADT bound itself to keep the PTA updated over who its certified officials were.

Another clause in the agreement lays down that the government will pay for any damage caused to buses that occur during the emission tests if it is proved this was the result of negligence by the tester.

Emission tests will only be held at St James Ditch, close to the Valletta bus terminus, at a time when it would not interfere with the bus schedule.