Transport ministry again rebuffs strike threats
The transport ministry reiterated today that it did not decide or condition its policies on the basis of threats of industrial action made by operators.
The ministry was reacting to comments by a spokesman of the Public Transport Federation who reportedly warned of strike action unless new licences to owners of hearses are withdrawn. The spokesman insisted that the market was not large enough to support so many operators.
The ministry reiterated its view that monopolies should be avoided, except where they were of benefit to consumers; the first duty of the government was to users and consumers, and that the quality of service in public transport fell short of reasonable expectations and deep reforms were therefore necessary.
No operator and no sector which previously enjoyed protection could expect to have a veto on initiatives made in the interests of the users or potential users, the ministry said.
6 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
joe Vella
Jul 11th 2008, 00:49
@ Effie Carbonaro
Couldn't have agreed with you more. The Minister must have recognised that the way things are going in Malta there will be more of you moving on to greaner pastures. He understood well that malta is on the move, only that people like you couldn't understand. At least he wanted to make yourt last voyage as cheap and enjoyable as it could be.
DVella
Jul 10th 2008, 21:40
I just hope Dr. Gatt shows more backbone than his predecessors in breaking the back of this 'junta' that has been holding the government and the entire country to ransom time after time! That is the thanks we get for subsidising their new buses, paying yearly subsidies and giving them guaranteed minimum earnings . . . ! A lousy service which they don't want to change, a militant attitude which opposes change at all costs, a load of old pieces of junk that probably contribute over 50% of our vehicular pollution all on their own. Go for it Dr. Gatt and don't stop until we're sweeping up the pieces of what's left of this decrepit system and the despicable people that run it. THEN maybe we can build up a decent system that befits human dignity, serves our needs and doesn't resort to blackmail tactics every time its operators or its 'organisation' feel aggrieved by something. Give the maltese people the public transport system they need and deserve and send these jokers packing!
Joseph Ellis
Jul 10th 2008, 20:37
Good work, minister Gatt. I hope you continue dismantling the various monopolies and cartels which are stifling Malta's economy, not least in the transport sector. This is an area where a bipartisan approach is called for.
I can, however, hardly think of any monopolies that are in the public interest. Gozo Channel is certainly not operating in the public interest as it is continuously not meeting demand and leaving people waiting for the next one or two ferries. It has benefited from massive state aid like the new terminal in Mgarr. I think it is time to, at least, liberalize the Valletta-Gozo line and allow a fast service to operate. Once Gozo Channel is not capable of running it, the route should be opened to prospective private operators.
effie carbonaro
Jul 10th 2008, 19:20
with this cost of living getting higher all the time and with many people finding it hard to cope with it i can assure the spokesman of the Public Transport Federation that the market will be large enough to support all operators.the ministry knows that thats why he issued new licences.i suggest that his next move should be to issue new licences for more graves too.
Robert Zammit
Jul 10th 2008, 18:42
Well in actual fact this should only be the beginning ! i believe that the Taxis should be liberalized as soon as possible ! Maybe the tourist buses would then follow, but then will the minister and the government have the galls to do so, bet you they'd be scared stiff of them !!!!
With the hearses we're talking of a few insignificant families, but the Taxis ... that's another story !!
Alex Schembri
Jul 10th 2008, 17:26
Will the minister take the challenge or .... retreat ? easy answer ...