Decision to liberalise hearse market final - ministry

The Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications this evening confirmed that its decision to liberalise the hearse market is final and won't be changed, regardless of the Public Transport Federation's threat to take industrial action next week.

The ministry said that it will be issuing more hearse permits in the interest of consumers.

It further denied claims that the government had agreed with the Motor Hearse Association that no further permits will be issued.

Although the government had said that it will not liberalise a number of public transport sectors, it has decided to re-examine the existent monopolies in the light of the quality of service offered and the money spent in taxes and subsidies.

"The hearse monopoly was not in the interest of consumers and has been removed," said that ministry. "The government is duty-bound to change that which doesn't work in its public administration. The fact that hearse owners have been protected by monopoly for the last 50 years does not mean that it must be the same for ever."

The ministry also dismissed the Public Transport Federation's argument that it is "statistically proven" that Malta is too small to sustain an open market with regards to hearses.

The ministry continued to dismiss the federation's claims that hearse owners have continued to invest in their service. As a result of monopoly, the opposite has occured said the ministry.

The ministry also denied claims that it hadn't consulted hearse owners prior to announcing its intention to liberalise the market. In fact, said the ministry, it had but that doesn't mean that it will allow hearse owners to dictate would will be done.