1928 bus still in service in Gozo

A bus dating back to 1928 is still in service in Gozo, Transport Minister Austin Gatt disclosed in Parliament tonight.

He said during the debate on the Malta Transport Authority that the authority needed to be reformed, with the client being put at the centre of its activities. Red tape needed to be cut, processes had to be such as to remove discretionary decisions and service had to be faster, such as in the case of car registrations and the issue of number plates, which should not take more than two days. The authority needed stronger middle management and proper project management for its capital projects.

When he spoke on public transport, Dr Gatt said new thinking was needed. He argued that some routes in Malta could possibly be operated by a tram service, while in Gozo, public transport had to be reformed.

While further study was needed, the possibility existed of introducing eco-buses in Gozo. Perhaps the government would have to initially involve itself in this service. Change was not easy or cheap, but it was necessary. The oldest bus in Malta was actually in Gozo. It was built in 1928, it was still working, and its owner wished to keep it that way.