UPDATED: Public transport: Muscat urges consultation on 'national problem'

Denis Catania

Jul 14th 2008, 19:30

@ Joseph Muscat, The National problems we have is the illegal immigration. Grab Gonzi by the ear and bring him out on this major national problem. Because if we don't address this MAJOR problem. We are not going to need a transport system.

Joe Martinelli

Jul 14th 2008, 17:04

@ Sylvia Simms

I don't mind at all waiting much, much longer for a hearse to provide me with that one-way trip !

Joe Martinelli

Jul 14th 2008, 16:57

I have written here and elsewhere describing Joseph as a master of sitting on fences. One moment he is quoted as saying that he urges the strikers to end their protest and the very next moment he vacillates and is quotes thus: "Dr Muscat referred to the government's "abrupt" decisions on the hearses, noting that this was not listed in the PN electoral programme" OK so the liberalization of hearses and public transportation were not mentioned in the NP's electoral programme. Does that mean that if something as basic and as important is not functioning properly for the general public it should remain unattended to? In that case, should the NP not say, perhaps, that it was a case of a misprint and the computer's fault? They would be borrowing a page from the MLP's excuses for a poor document prior to the election!
It's about time Joseph takes a stand, one way or another. Trying to please everybody all the time has not worked for anyone before and it is not going to work for Joseph this time or in 2013.
We need decent transportation - period.
The government has reached a point of no return on this one.

Ray Arpa

Jul 14th 2008, 13:34

Aviation in Malta has always operated in an competitive environment. Even more so now with the introduction of the low cost carriers. Where were the federation of transport then? Why should the other transport systems be treated differently? Why shouldn't the free market dictate the pricing and service level like in many other businesses? Why should the government discriminate between different types of transport? Even if the government wants to protect these monopolies, the EU would force our government to liberate the market. Liberate our roads from these monopolies for the benefit of our citizen and our tourism industry. Now we have low cost carriers. How about low cost hearses, buses, taxis and the rest!!

Joe Galea

Jul 14th 2008, 08:40

@ Gerard Mangion

Knock Knock....here the issue is about public transposrt & co. not Rent Reform and other hot issues. Secondly, can you copy and paste where JM sided Monopolies? Please illuminate us with your wisom. Get a life will you please? To get down to your level then why doesn't Gonzi speak about the hot JPO scandal? Moreover you said that JM needs to get to work. Knock Knock again on your head...please read the last sentence:
"Dr Muscat said the MLP would put public transport on its agenda and would offer its services for the two sides in the current dispute to hold talks."
What do you want JM to do to show you he really means to start working?...Perhaps go to the Valletta terminus with a machine gun and start shooting all drivers on strike...simply pathetic.

Joe Galea

Jul 14th 2008, 08:30

I am amazed on how the PN apologists manage to manipulate and spin everything against Labour, now against JM. Did anyone here mention the true reason of this Transport problem? Do you know that the Transport Federation was promised by the same government a couple of years ago that there won't be new hearses, and now a U-TURN? What do you expect their reaction would be?
JM is simply crticising the way this government is crushing over everyone without the so famous "DJALOGU" and the so famous "FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBBLI". The latter slogan now has changed to "AHNA NAGHMLU LI RRIDU LA ERGAJTU TELLAJTUNA".
Can anyone point out where JM said is in favour of MONOPLY? Yes, JM is so naive and a bad person to offer help to both GOVT and PTF to arrive to a positive agreement!! He is fishng for votes uff!!! ...come on please PN boot lickers...the heat is enough to make you feel sick....your comments are an extra sickening added value.
GonziPN smells of a Communist Dictatorship...My way or no way...yes that's right and healthy!!

Sylvia Simms

Jul 13th 2008, 22:10

We need a more efficient Public Transport system to provide a decent service to the public. Every morning crowds of people are left standing at the bus stops in Fgura between 7 and 8 am because their aren't enough buses to cope. Every evening in summer people would like to go and come home by bus from Marsascala but the service finishes too early or there are not enough buses to ensure a ride home. This situation repeats itself all over the island !! This is not a political issue - this is just providing the public with the service they deserve. Now it seems we have to wait in line for a hearse too - ridiculous !!

Gerard Mangion

Jul 13th 2008, 20:07

@ m cammileri

you heared the super news, on super one WOW what's new Buddy ?

All J.m is trying to do is , that he will take the credit on this issue No ?
why didint he mention the Rent Reform and other hot issue's ? dont tell us that the Kid -
is Shy ehh ? is it not true that in his poor speeches, only lies comes out ? same old story
mlp will never Change . inselli.

M. Camilleri

Jul 13th 2008, 13:07

Where is JM supporting the monopoly. I have just heard him directly on Super One pleading the the Transport Federation to retire the strike cos the common people will be directly hit not the government.....

and btw he voted against monopolies in the European Parliament, so before firing lies, all austin supporters, get the facts right....

Gerard Mangion

Jul 13th 2008, 11:34

@ charles marsh

As you well know WE are in Malta and not in zimbabwe, If not nighter of us are sending our
opinion here True ?
If J.m Wants to give a helping hand, he must get off the Gallerija, and get to work ! People
Want's facts about his possition on many issue's like, the rent reform ecc,ecc.
We are the Supporters of Social Justice, my friend keep your cool you will see that this is for the best of Malta in the coming Days. Cheer's

Grard Mangion

Jul 13th 2008, 11:11

It seem's that J.M is sideing with Monopolies, cisss !
what a new season ! keep it up Dr Austin Gatt, we gave you our VOTE'S, Cause we all know,
that when you make a Decicion it is, for the Good of Malta !

charles marsh

Jul 13th 2008, 08:53

Supporters of Austin Gatt What are you saying here?
Did Joseph Muscat say anything wrong buy offering to help in the situation? Or is it only Austin who can dictate and decide. I am in favor of free market and against monopoly but don't you think
these things should be discussed and decided in a civil way . So what's wrong with the fact that the leader of opposition who incidentally represents at least half of the nation offers a helping hand ? Are we in Malta or in Zimbabwe?

Josef Grech

Jul 12th 2008, 22:42

I am afraid Mr. Spiteri is doing something wrong with his calculator, as with euro 40,000 I really wonder how is he going to enter such business in a liberalised scenario!!

E Gatt

Jul 12th 2008, 19:46

Monopolies R.I.P.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jul 12th 2008, 19:28

I Abela---
1) true to what you claim the issue is about the hearses not about the Public buses, than why, may I ask, have the buses been driven into the fray and will go on strike as from Monday too??

2) If you, or anyone you know, or JM, knows anyone who is pushing Austin Gatt to liberalise for his/her personal benefit please come forward and say who this is!! What I do know is that you and your party said precisely the same thing about Merchant street Paving.......have you met any of the stakeholders there who thinks that the Merchant str. project is bad??

3) All you have to do is look around you Mr.Abela!! Did airfares go up or down since competition set in?? Did Mobile tariffs go up or down since Liberalisation?? ......Competition is healthy and it has proved time and again to be the way forward..........and i'm sure that if Public transp. is liberalised when the time comes this administration will be proved right and we'll all be enjoying a much better service!!

Ray Borg

Jul 12th 2008, 19:10

Dear supporters of the one and only Honorable minister Austin Gatt.
Keep supporting your buddy because when election time comes Gonzipn
or who might that be at that time will be promising consultation and dialogue
words that we are use to hear from PN in the election time ONLY.
A NEW SEASON HAVE BEGAN.

Joe m. Anastasi

Jul 12th 2008, 17:56

The two or three Labour sympathisers on here seem to have a strange way of reasoning. They seem to think that everybody is like them, either RED or BLUE. I bet half the people that wrote expressing their support for Austin Gatt and his firm tactics here would dearly love to have a decent opposition that is a votable alternative, myself included. You see we don't see things with rose tinted spectacles.

Dr Muscat trys to impress us that he has a solution to everything. He talks constantly of consultation, conveniently forgetting that the word didn't even feature in the vocabulary of his predecessors Mintoff and KMB.

The transport problem, be it hearses, busses, karozzini, taxis or trucks needs urgent attention. Austin Gatt has agreed to tackle it. He is minister of transport. He has the people's backing, and frankly I can't think of anyone better. He's a doer not just a talker like Dr. Muscat.

Go for it Austin, you have our backing.

Mario Camilleri

Jul 12th 2008, 17:43

I wonder why all the nationalist bloggers in here are attacking JM. do you all pretend JM to come out with solutions to all the problems that this country is facing? we have been hearing of reforms in the public transport sector for ages now and all we got were fare price hikes. i am against monopolies but i am against duopolies too. maybe the public transport will be liberalised but i hope it won't end up like the so called liberalisation of the mobile telephony.!! two companies with the same tariffs, offers..etc etc and still with very high roaming charges. it's the government duty to find solutions to all the mess that he put us in.

M. Camilleri

Jul 12th 2008, 17:32

My oh my.....even in this case we're attacking JM???? I can't believe it!

So one minute you're attacking him of sitting on the fence, the next that he is arrogant and thinks he is government....decide people which is it?

But when Gonzi and JM agreed on important issues where were you all such wise people?

Stephen Spiteri

Jul 12th 2008, 17:16

@ I Abela, come on man. What bugs me here in this issue is this: I can easily spend 20,000€ on a truck and earn my daily bread carrying sand, rocks, etc, just as many do, without the need for a permit. Why can't I spend 40,000€ or whatever on a hearse and earn my daily bread carrying corpses ? or people in a minibus ? or a txi ? Austi Gatt, many are behind you in this.

I Abela

Jul 12th 2008, 13:13

I am so impressed here. Everyone attacking JM why? To most of the geniuses, PN appologists in this forum, PLEASE NOTE.....1) Everyone is critisizing the buses, taxis, drivers, bus windows, etc etc. Do you at least know that the issue is about the HEARSES and whatever happens to the hearses, you will still have the same old buses with the same rude drivers, with the same bad service? Doesn't anyone apart from me and probably JM smell something stinking here? Maybe someone close to Gatt who has an interest in the hearses business....like the JPO case?? If government really wanted to make something for the commuters I beleive that the best way to go is to improve (or liberalise) the transport services which they use while they are still alive. And what if government liberalises the bus service? Who will then control the fare price? So you all want new buses, more buses to improve timing, training for drivers, diesel prices soaring how about a 2 or 3 Euro fare then? Why doesn't anyone here use his mind to think deep into a situation rather than critisizing everything?

Joseph Caruana

Jul 12th 2008, 13:01

@ Karl Smythe:
I think you're forgetting who have been arrogant for the past ~forty years.. since the buses came under one name.. back during the Mintoff days!
Ahh!! -- even people who don't use the public transport, pay for it's existence! didn't you(the taxpaper) knew that?

Come On -- lets be open for change and not repeat mistakes! -- "Bhal-tarzna u bhal haddiema tax xatt..." --- unions scared of not having workers paying it's membership fees!

Alexander A Farrugia

Jul 12th 2008, 12:50

Dr Muscat said that this liberalisation was not in the PN's manifesto. So if the PN government succeeds in implementing the hundreds of promises (promises is not the right word, but they should be referred to as challenges) in the first two years of his term, does that mean that the PN goevernment will have a honeymoon of three years until the next election is called!!!!

Dr Muscat said that the MLP would put public transport on its agenda - so does this mean that we have to wait for another five, yes five, years before any changes are made????

Dr Muscat - this subject involves us all, so let us dialogue and find the best solutions for both sides.

Karl Smythe

Jul 12th 2008, 12:44

All the PNGonzi apologists are out in force this morning and reading The Times is fast becoming like reading In-Nazzjon or listening to the TVM news in the evening. Why is it so difficult for so many Maltese to remove their political blinkers and write sensibly? Is it not true that public transport has been a national issue for a number of years? Arrogantly bulldozing your way through problems is not the solution Dr Gatt. Nothing wrong with showing a strong hand but consultation is the key to all solutions.

Wilfrid Buttigieg

Jul 12th 2008, 12:36

Keep the good work going Austin! you have the support of most maltese citizens!

James Dimech

Jul 12th 2008, 12:32

"MLP leader Joseph Muscat has urged the government to explain its national strategy for public transport"

How about Dr Muscat also explaining his strategy ?

"Dr Muscat said that with or without liberalisation, the people deserved a reasonably priced and efficient public transport while the operators should have a fair return on their investment."

The Government does not ensure that I have a fair return on my investement or that my job is guaranteed rain or shine. Why do these people think they should always be privileged?

...oh and by the way this Muscat ranting about 'lack of consultation' and 'government doing it on its own' is becoming stale. Muscat is turning out to be all about image / PR but with no substance.

Jean Paul Galea

Jul 12th 2008, 12:14

I believe that at this point the government and the Austin Gatt should look into the well being of the commuters and no longer the benefit of the bus drivers. They have been given all the right conditions to offer a good service but still the service is of low quality. The only way is to privatize the whole lot and transport companies with the better service would prevail. If they manage to reach a good service i am sure that more people would use the public transport. As for Mr Muscat i believe the time for consultation on this issue is over. In Malta you never can do any reform with consultation. Malta is too small for that and whatever you do you are always going to annoy someone's personal interest. The government should set targets with commuters as priority and go for it. I am sure that if commuters benefit even public transport will. The time is past for people (bus drivers) making money without working for it.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jul 12th 2008, 11:48

Jack Skelt---I have the PN manifesto in hand-----give me the chapter, page, paragraph and sentence where the PN promised not to liberalise the transport sector ( you said the "opposite which were promised to the bus owners") and if you can prove it we'll all call Gonzi a liar together.........come on Mr.Skelt call my bluff!!!!

louis grech

Jul 12th 2008, 11:24

It is clear that Dr Muscat does not use the public transport like we common mortals do! The attitude of a large number of bus drivers and inspectors is awful. Most buses are rubbish. I do believe of consultation but its time for some strong politics in this regards. Fishing for votes wont solve anything DR Muscat.......please show your love to commuters too Dr. Muscat!

Rodnick Abdilla

Jul 12th 2008, 11:17

I think Dr.Muscat took the best stand for the Maltese.
At least The Motto "flimkien kollox possibli" Dr.Muscat wants it to be done
Not just a thought.
Lorry Gonzi Start Acting like a rime Minister for every one!!!!!!!

Adrian Cardona

Jul 12th 2008, 11:10

If Joseph is so naive that he expects something like this to be in an electoral manifesto, then he really is not the 'seasoned' politician he says he is. I never recalled Labour's electoral programme in 1996 mentioning levies on credit cards and departure taxes for example, and I never expected them to. I am all out in favour of liberalisation, and any party which tries to defend monopolies will never get my vote. I am fed up of being ripped off by a bunch of people who have it served on a golden plate for far too long. Liberalise hearses, taxis, mini-vans, buses, ferry crossings...all types of transport in fact, and if they want to go on strike, go ahead....the vast majority are behind the minister on this.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Jul 12th 2008, 11:05

"......Dr Muscat said that with or without liberalisation, the people deserved a reasonably priced and efficient public transport while the operators should have a fair return on their investment.." ............ issss prosit, as if we needed JM to tell us that, as if we haven't suffered enough, as if I don't know what it means to be on a bus which came late, hot as hell with no windows in the middle of a July afternoon with an angry driver who swears and makes phone calls every now and then and who didn't even have the decency to leave the passengers have a seat before he drove off..........

"...........Dr Muscat said the MLP would put public transport on its agenda and would offer its services for the two sides in the current dispute to hold talks................" Oh cut the crap dear Joseph will you!!?......you're the leader of a Party not of some "Do-good Mediation Movement" .................we want solutions to our everyday problems not political overtures in some Kazin Laburista..........I'm sorry to say but JM (nice words and great personality apart) is really not impressing anyone.......overcaution and balconyism (my word) is not the stuff true leaders are made of!!

Jack Skelt

Jul 12th 2008, 11:04

Everyone is against Monopoly and i am one who have least simpathy for our public transport. But the government cannot bully things out, he cannot promise one thing then do the other, this is a mess the government put on himself. A strike would not effect me or the contributers of this blog but there are tens of thousands that would suffer. So dr Muscat is right, he is in no obligation to solve the mess the government started, hes in opposition not in government do you remember. Acting immaturely like the government is doing will result that all will loose, government, bus owners and the general public.

So as Dr Muscat was right by saying better consultation then the bullying of policies (the opposite which were promised to the bus owners before election - Deja Vu anyone).

Joseph Caruana

Jul 12th 2008, 10:38

Or is Muscat worried of the votes??

Patrick Muscat

Jul 12th 2008, 10:26

Let's be fair on Dr Muscat. He is also in favour of a better Public Transport whilst at the same time giving a fair return to the owners. This is a positive attitude and a good start. The government should reach out and bring MLP on board for a common and a win (PN) win (MLP) win (Consumers) win (Owners) situation. Labour should realise that solving these issues now will give it less problems to solve next time they are in government.

Joe M. Anastasi

Jul 12th 2008, 10:14

The more I hear and read of Muscat the more convinced I become that he is just "More of the same".

He's ready to criticise but has no solutions. Austin Gatt takes the bull by the horns and gets things done. His priority is not just fishing for votes. I would have thought that Muscat would have given Gatt his full backing on this one, but I'm obviously dreaming because Labour will never change.

Labour under Muscat is proving to be no different to Labour under Mintoff, KMB and Sant.

George Mifsud

Jul 12th 2008, 10:12

Is Dr Muscat's new way of doing politics sitting on a fence. Will Labour ever change?

Manuel Mifsud

Jul 12th 2008, 10:10

So is this the new political season - always staying in the middle of nowhere? Nice words alone will not provide solutions. Whenever there is a dispute, Dr Muscat urges consultation thereby giving the impression that he has the formula for success. Indeed, one might argue that unless he is given the chance to prove it, one cannot really know if he is capable of doing things better than others. As he rightly said, public transport is a longstanding national problem. In this regard, I ask him to speak to Mr. Debono Grech, Labour MP, who was Minister for Transport under Dr. Sant's Administration of 1996-1998. He would surely inform him of the problems in this sector and how hard it is to change old habits including monopolies in order to improve transport in Malta. Mr. Debono Grech tried hard and was given a real hard time in the process. The way forward is to rally behind the authorities to give them the moral strength to effect the necessary changes. Dr. Muscat's cooperation will contribute to the start of a new political season.

R. Caruana

Jul 12th 2008, 10:06

Sitting on the fence again... Beware, 'Humpty Dumpty had a great fall'.

mario agius

Jul 12th 2008, 10:00

I honestly must say that the faith I had placed in Mr. Muscat upon his acceding to the mlp throne is quickly dwingling away. does it cost too much to "call a spade a spade". Why does it have to be always politics and "earning a vote or two in the process". Have we not had enough of monopolies? Have we not been ill-treated more than enough by bus drivers and public transport in general? Have not been fleeced enough by undertakers who thread upon our grieve with no sympathy whatsoever? Please Dr. Muscat get going along with Dr. Gatt on this matter and get to a solid conclusion on all the items that have now cropped out. Be sure that everyone will apreciate your doings. Some might not vote for you just the same but be sure that they will say : "Dak Ragel ta' l-affari tieghu!"

carmelo briffa

Jul 12th 2008, 09:42

Dear Dr. Muscat....Many of your ways I like but I am against MONOPOLI. If you cannot agree with me then my vote will not be changed even though I feel that we need a change. Achange for the better yes but for some who like monopoli ----NO VOTE--- Sticks to the right things and I will be with you fully heartedly....but I feel that you are playing with my nerves like a wind sock

Aklilu Hagos

Jul 12th 2008, 09:41

Good idea Dr Muscat but till when?

John Schembri

Jul 12th 2008, 09:35

What is the stand MLP is taking , is it for or against MONOPOLIES , do we have to wait until September. The public is paying from the nose for such"services".
Up to now MLP is still beating around the bush.
The problem will be solved with liberalisation , is Dr Muscat against liberalisation?