UPDATED: Stoppage by coaches from tomorrow
(Adds statement by Tourism Secretariat, MHRA warning)
The Unscheduled Bus Service will not be operating as from tomorrow, the UBS said this evening.
The UBS said it did not form part of the Transport Federation, which ordered the strike by the operators of public transport.
However the members of the UBS could not continue to operate in circumstances such as those encountered today, with roads blocked and a number of members attacked and vehicles damaged.
The UBS said it condemned the violent incidents.
It also insisted it was against changes in the licensing of public transport vehicles without prior consultation.
Meanwhile the Secretariat for Tourism this evening condemned the incidents which took place today, notably the blockage of roads to Valletta and the airport and attacks on tourist coaches. Such incidents, the secretariat said, were very detrimental to tourism, and the tourism season was approaching its peak. Such incidents only served to endanger the livelihood of thousands of workers in the tourism sector, the secretariat said.
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) also condemned the actions taken by public transport service providers and said that this type of action causes untold damage to the image of Malta as a tourism destination and to Product Malta as a whole.
The MHRA said its members worked tirelessly to ensure that visitors arriving at MIA were able to get to their hotels without any problems despite the efforts of a small number of taxi drivers. The MHRA together with officials from MIA and the MTA ensured that any inconvenience was kept to a minimum.
The MHRA pointed out that taxis located outside key hotels amount to over 10% of the licensed taxis locally.
"The MHRA would not hesitate to issue directives to these said hotels to terminate agreements with these taxis if they persist in not providing the necessary service to their guests. Ultimately their service can easily be replaced by call outs to chauffeur driven cars," the association warned.
42 Comments
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dorianne bugeja
Jul 16th 2008, 16:28
thought violence in malta was an era.
where are the police and soldiers. they should arrest them all
gaffarena joseph
Jul 16th 2008, 13:49
Its time we bring in the marines, and let our armed forces only for parades.
Adrian Vassallo
Jul 15th 2008, 15:27
Violence is never the solution. Law and order are paramount and I'm sure that the police are assesing the situation and acting upon it. Those that are commenting and instigating the presence of the Armed Forces of Malta in matters like this surely don't appreciate the work that is already being carried on by the AFM on the illegal immigrants influx. The AFM are coping as well as they can with the limited resources they have. I'm sure the police can handle the situation by themselves.
Charles Abela
Jul 15th 2008, 13:27
Mr President the time for half measures are over. This is Industrail Terrorism...the assault on the Prime Minister's office....is an assault on Democracy, on the State...
The country is looking upon you, we need to see you on our media..and talk to us and reassure us that freedom & protection are our rights as citizens. There exsist one fundamental target: THE RESPECT FOR THE LAW....
Joseph Aquilina
Jul 15th 2008, 09:21
@Adrian Camilleri
So in your opinion Joseph Muscat should say ‘No’ just because that would hurt PN and Dr.Gonzi!?? Can’t you understand that this is not a fight between PN and MLP but rather a fight between GOOD AND BAD SERVICE!!? If the Bus Drivers & Co are put in place then it is not just the PN supporters who will gain an advantage but all the Maltese people! These people are protesting because they do not want to change!! They want to give the bad service they have given so far!! They want to keep polluting the whole of Malta with their more than 20 year old busses!! Knowing all this how can you said that Joseph Muscat is wrong in supporting the MALTESE (Everyone’s) government!? How?
Joe Galea
Jul 15th 2008, 09:10
Austin Gatt should dialogue with the Federation, MLP has offered help too in this ordeal. By trying to be seen as a super hero Austin is fuelling those sub-cultured drivers to create more havoc and discomfort to the general population.
1) Austin should go back on what they have promised before the elections.
2) Draw up a plan with consent from all interested parties on how liberalisation can be made with the least negative impact on the sector and on the country.
3) Now AFM should prevail in keeping order.
4) The Government should cater for and give priority to all the tourists that have arrived and are arriving in these days, so that the damage incurred by these actions should be minimised as much as possible. Remeber Mr. Government that Tourism is a perm of the Maltese economy.
5) How come that the police are not armed and trained against riots? What a bunch of boy scouts!!!
ONLY IN MALTA!!!!....the Zimbabwe of the Mediterrenean...lol!!!
carmelo briffa
Jul 15th 2008, 08:33
Army Army Army where are YOU???????bunch of hulicans trying to upset our country and ruin our tourism.....Hulicans do not spoil the water from the well remember you where and will br the first one to drink from it.
Josephine Zahra
Jul 15th 2008, 08:09
Yesterday's disgusting scenes at Castile took me back to the dark days in the 80s. PLEASE AUSTIN STICK TO YOUR GUNS AND DON'T GIVE IN. I do not want my grandson to grow up in terror of some hot-headed weirdos who are fed hate by monopolists.
R Busuttil
Jul 15th 2008, 08:02
You have a long way to go before you can promote this island into a 5 star resort. I feel sorry for all the Maltese investors who have pumped in millions of Euros in the tourism sector only to see their benefits being spoiled by a bunch of hooligans trying to gain access into the Prime Minister's office. If this was done in Washington, I can assure you that the National Guard would be out in the streets immediately to quell the disturbance or should I say the uprising. I'm not against the strike as we live in a democratic society where strikes are a part of life but to take the law into your own hands is illegal and Austin Gatt should ensure that the riot squad and the army are put on full alert next time. Lets hope that everybody has learnt a lesson and that this matter is solved ASAP. Anybody caught on video should be prosecuted and his license revoked indefinitely. The police should also ensure that the roads are kept free for all the tax payers who have a right to use them.
S. Suda
Jul 15th 2008, 07:46
@ Adrian Camilleri
Europeans in other countries do protest true. it is nothing new. take italy, transport services are on strike every other month but the difference is that there is no violence, no blockage, no mobs, just people walking their way to work and at least they can drive too. it is everyone's right to strike but let other people get on with their life, jobs.... ! who would assure me that by using the emergency bus service my life is not put at risk by the strikers? (all you have to do is look at the photo in this article to doubt safety of using alternative transport)
Emmanuel Vella
Jul 15th 2008, 07:29
Years ago Dom Mintoff on similar circumstances, threadened to withdraw all permits if drivers do not go back to work. What is holding Lawrence Gonzi to do the same thing today? After all, for the first time in history, the goverment is have the backing of the opposition. That makes him strong enough.
M Borg
Jul 15th 2008, 07:09
Dr Gatt, there is only ONE solution with these BULLIES!
They blocked important aertierial roads illegally, they terrorised other drivers, they misbehaved with tourists.
They need to be prosecuted, and their licence revoked. Police can arrest anyone who is not observing the laws, so why are THESE bullies not arrested???
Confiscate their vechiles, bring out the army, and make them take control of the buses, taxis, etc.
If they refuse to clear roads, bring the army's bulldozers, and let them do their work. At least that's what other Authorities (MEPA, etc) do with illegalities!!
Or are these people over the law???
They are only endangering their livelihood and that of other thousands of citizens!!
There was a case when dozens of soldiers covered policemen when an illegal structure was being demolished in Zebbug By-pass?? Are the authorities strong with the few and lenient with the many?? Or do we have more than one measure???
Are we living in an EU country or in an Animal Farm land where, ...... :ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS." (George Orwell).???
We need ACTION DR GATT, and before its too late!!
Mario Vella
Jul 15th 2008, 02:20
What i saw today :
- elderly people walking under the torrid heat of the sun, without giving up.
- car drivers stopping by and offering these same elderly a ride to a better location.
- members of the Police force enduring long hours on their feet in miserable weather conditions.
- arrogant bus drivers instilling fear on passers by
my opinion... thumbs up to minister Austin Gatt... !!! Thumbs up to the Law Enforcement officers, as they are avoiding confrontation, but i do hope that those who broke the law and caused havoc on Monday, will be brought to justice.
Last but not least, i do apologise to all those foreigners who spent their savings to come over to Malta, and being offered such a negative welcome at the airtport, by these so called strikers.
Denis Catania
Jul 15th 2008, 01:47
YES YOU DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO STRIKE. Even though Franco Farrugia might have a point. When receiving subsidies might put that right in questions.
JOSEPH control your people. They are acting like non humans.Where is the respect to JOSEPH.
When you start physically hurting people. Then you no longer deserve any respect.
Police Comm RIZZO, I witnessed at least 25 crimes against the police You must make arrests swiftly or resign let someone that has courage take over>
Chris Vidal
Jul 14th 2008, 23:22
I cannot understand where the anti-riot police and army are? or we do not have them anymore? for what is the army training? maybe for world war 3 ? and then we do not control a couple of protesters causing chaos on the roads. maybe this was the first time in last couple of years that I agreed with the gov but on the other hand it is a shame for the army and police force that they do not control this bunch of bullies.
Iain Sims
Jul 14th 2008, 23:21
Such joy. This situation may be taking attention away from other current issues in the public eye, but the state of affairs that has long been accepted in Malta when it comes to the public transport system (certainly it is no 'service') is now rallying the general population in such a manner unseen for many years. My hat is off to Austin, well done, sir, and please do keep up this exceptional stance! The public is with you. Let us rally together in support of liberalisation and competition for all. Once again; such joy!
Josef Grech
Jul 14th 2008, 23:12
May I ask Mr.Farrugia what sort of subsidies he belives we get from his taxes? I try to make it clear once and for all to those who read articles related to this matter. We as public transport operators are not subsidized! Acutally the Govt. subsidies senior citizens and youngsters to travel by bus because of a social conscience. Furthure more, knowing that the fare we get paid is far to low in order to sustain all expencesand invest in newer rolling stock, the Govt. gives us back part of the duty we pay on our fuel bills, and that we get in arrears and lot of times we get threatened about it!! Still, I wonder if any of these people who talk and talk against the present pucblic transport system and who do not make use of it today, will they be happy to go by bus in a liberalised enviroment having to pay the extra cost it brings about?
John Debattista
Jul 14th 2008, 23:12
KEEP IT UP AUSTIN these are a bunch of thugs don't give in.
Vanessa Mifsud
Jul 14th 2008, 23:04
Mr M Gatt, i hope that its not now that you have realised that the police are afraid of their own shadow here in Malta. And with all respect to some drivers, but at the end of the day they ARE the Maltese Bus Drivers! They don't know any better that fighting and swearing and making fun of people.
R Buttigieg
Jul 14th 2008, 23:00
@ Adrian Camilleri
JM is a healthy politician. Dr. Sant, with all due respect, did nothing but divide the Maltese Islands. We come to conclusions through reasoning. You cannot compare the protests held in mainland EU with those held in Malta.
If you are so knowledgable, you should realise that our Malta has no resources. We have to rely on transport due to tourism and all that is effected by its services.
If you dont get this, i strongly suggest that you go the the village piazza, buy some bigilla and some cicri and just stare at the little birdie in the gabietta.
Stop this trash mentality and start educating yurself and those around you. We need a healthy Malta.
Joe Grima
Jul 14th 2008, 22:57
Every Maltese and every Gozitan should feel a deep sense of grief at what Malta has been subjected to today . We watched only one young tourist being interviewed on TV who said
" Malta? Never again" but I am certain that there are thousands more who feel that same way. After years of pain that the tourism industry has been through, now that the industry is inching its way back again, is this the reward ? . What has happened to that Phoenician sense of equilibrium that we are supposed to be endowed with? Have we turned into such a nation of iconoclasts that we are ready to throw the food on our table to the dogs knowing that we will starve as a result?
And do the machos on both sides think we are admiring them?
Mark Portelli
Jul 14th 2008, 22:51
give them more money so that they will keep on living on our taxes....
K. Gauci
Jul 14th 2008, 22:49
Small appeal to the strikers.
At least dont ruin the holidays of the tourists. They have probablu worked their butt off to earn enough money to come to Malta for a holiday with their families. They have no fault in any of this. I appeal to the federation, do not ruin these peoples' holidays. These tourists could have easily went elsewhere, they chose Malta. Let us at least repay them with respect and honour..and most of all good value for money and friendliness. Strike as much as needed...affect the Maltese as needed, but dont let tourists curse the moment they chose to come to Malta.
Vanessa Farrugia
Jul 14th 2008, 22:20
Who blames them?! Who wants to report to work and risk damage to property and personal injury?
HP Farrugia
Jul 14th 2008, 21:49
@ Adrian Cammileri:
I am sorry to inform you that you are the person who is trying to divert the national public's attention. Everyone knows that the increase in fuel prices is not a Government tax, (as Dr. Sant kindly did in 1997) but due to international oil prices.
And when a protest arises abroad, as happened in London a few years ago when underground workers went on strike, they are civilised enough not to smash their competitors' (if one can call them so) windshields or show any form of indicent conduct!
One thing to note is that a protest is really successful if you have the people's support. If not, it's useless! I think that the Maltese people have realised why it is important NOT to have a monopoly! This 'protest strike' was an absolute backfire.
Rebecca
Jul 14th 2008, 21:47
One more reason to dislike bus-drivers
Joseph Chetcuti
Jul 14th 2008, 21:44
Dear Mr. Camilleri,
Most of us do not forget, have not forgotten and will never forget the meaning of violent protests!!. This is not a political issue but an issue of consumer rights against a monopoly which does nothing but bleed the country from our taxes. The Government has given subsidies over subsidies and yet we see no improvement in the service.
Then again, this is not a bus or mini bus drivers' issue (well not yet at least) but alas they still felt that they had to roll up their sleeves, take off their shirts and drive off to Castille (or was it the Bastille) in protest.
You beckon Dr. Joseph Muscat to your assistance like he could pull out a bunny out of his magical hat yet till now it was only the PN who had the guts to start getting the country into shape.
Alas I must once again remind you that this has got nothing to do with politics so please do stop being silly. Dr. Muscat has (as yet) not tried to take any political advantage of the issue and this is commendable on his part but regretfully you fail to do likewise.
Kenneth Cocks
Jul 14th 2008, 21:44
After seeing some of the scenes that took place on our roads today I wonder why the police did not take a firmer hand against those breaking the law by blocking roads with buses, taxis and mini vans. Warn them once, warn them twice but if they continue to ignore the law, bring in army bulldozers and drag them out of the way. Forget about damaging the buses or van, they only have themselves to blame for putting their vehicle beyond the law. Go one step further, if these people insist on not driving the buses, rescind their licences! Confiscate their buses for a year and find qualified drivers who are unemployed to drive them. Take away their livlihood for a year and see how they like it. Why should the country as a whole be held to ransom by a handful of people who are not willing to do their job. The transport system in Malta isn't that good and until these people pull their socks up and give us a worthwhile service, I think the public should show them by striking against them, to show them what we think. Use private transport, if necessary, pooling your resources.
Louis Grech
Jul 14th 2008, 21:23
These are the kind of drivers that we commuters have to face each day. These are the kind of minibus drivers that we trust to transport our little children to school daily!? The Superone TV coverage tried to project these people as heroes.........well done DR. Muscat is this the kind of reform in the one news coverage you have promised ..,,,,,,blah blah blah..... The Federation should stop this insanity like it or not monopolies must end; it's time for a new transport season!
Stephan Strijbosch
Jul 14th 2008, 21:22
Let them strike!!! Please! let them strike! oh my god, what a joy it is to drive without being scared that some taxi driver is going to kill you with his/her bad driving! No fumes from busses too!! wow...please...keep on striking!!
James Sultana
Jul 14th 2008, 21:20
I fail to understand all this praise for Austin`s decisions for the fact that according to absolute majority, this is the end of monopolies especially the route buses. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT ??
The only way to remove the monopoly is to have ANOTHER COMPANY or group to bid for the bus service tender - another group of at least 300 buses. Because the bus service is a complete package. Do you imagine someone buying 300 buses to compete for a 5-year tender with the risk of losing it ?
After all, all the things the complaints are about, such as black fumes, lack of service, prices, standards, safety, qualty ARE ALL REGULATED BY CURRENT LAWS. The problem is that the authorities NEVER ENFORCED THEM. You can have 100 operators .. if you don`t enforce regualtions you will end up in the same situation.
I was astonished to hear Dr.Gatt complaining that the transport owners did a shameful act by blocking the main roads : fine .. BUT SHOULDN`T HE ASK TONIO BORG WHY THE AUTHORITIES DIDN`T GUARANTEE PUBLIC ORDER ? Or maybe its easier to pepper-spray an illegal immigrant than defend the maltese?
M. Gatt
Jul 14th 2008, 21:04
Bring out the army........today the police showed that they are not better than a bunch of boys scouts !
Franco Farrugia
Jul 14th 2008, 21:03
Let them strike, if they want to - it is their right, even though the hefty subsidies they get from our taxes, somehow put that right in question. But to disrupt traffic in the streets, cause damage, instil fear in locals and tourists alike, ... that, no. Where is the Police? Where is the Army?
L Galea
Jul 14th 2008, 20:43
Today, the bus owners/drivers were like Mugabe's mob.
Its time to stop subsidizing these peoplewho are being subsidized to the tune of 60,000 Euros each day from our taxes and yet have the gall to cause such disturbances and disruptions, including not allowing an ambulance to pass.
Liberalize all the sectors.
After all, they voted for the EU and they knew that it won't tolerate monopolies.
If they didn't, Dr Austin Gatt has spelt it clear and plain during today's press conference.
Joanna Spiteri Staines
Jul 14th 2008, 20:42
STICK TO YOUR GUNS, AUSTIN! We want a liberalised market that can make space for a better transport system in the future. Many proposals have been put forward in the past to improve the transport service, never being put into action because of this monopoly. This is a trying period but it will bear long term fruits for us tax-paying citizens. I for one, am behind you even if it means I need to walk to work!
r pace
Jul 14th 2008, 20:41
So here we are again! Held hostage by a group of monopolists. The government should take the bull by the horns and liberalise all transport with immediate effect. Afterall, this sector seems to be the only monoploly still aliveand lives with subsidies from our taxes, because other business do not protest, close roads, stop ambulances, beat non strikers etc when a new business similar to theirs opens, on the contrary these businesses see that they upgrade their service and price to remain competitive. Monopolies are a thing of the past, thus get on with full liberalisation. To the UBS, i know its difficult, but do not fall into the federation's trap. To the people, when the public transport returns to normal - strike and do not use the service, this way maybe these people will learn.
Edward Muscat
Jul 14th 2008, 20:37
I don't give a damn about politics, but it's official: I LOVE AUSTIN GATT!! :-)
Adrian Camilleri
Jul 14th 2008, 20:28
It's seems to me that most of you forget VERY quickly. (conveniently)
1. You forgot the strikes (frequently held) in Spain, Italy, France etc etc. Are we Europeans or not ?
2. It's NOT a sin to PROTEST. But the PN made you think that way. (since the 70's, cause they don't want that the people or workers have power).
3. I'm not in favour of the monopolies, nor of how Agostoni Pio deal with sensitive issues without any discussions. But how I almost forgot, that once he said that the Parliament means nothing to him with a 5-seat majority.
4. This is what GONZI, AGOSTINO PIO & co. wanted, to DIVERT the attention of ALL people (especially their voters) from the surcharge saga.
5. This goverment will continue to do whatever he wants, even with ONLY 800 votes or so in his favour. Please Joseph, just don't be the opposite of Sant now.........he said no for almost everything and you're saying yes to almost everything........till now. Hopefully and I'm saying this sincerely, I'm wrong. I just don't want you in the same bed with Gonzi. Let him take his own medicine
Joe Micallef
Jul 14th 2008, 20:25
Praise to MHRA.
Like the government, it is telling taxi drivers precisely what they need to hear.
This is not a time to be weak, but a time to be resolute in the face of a 'federation of monopolists' that is not only wrong on this issue, but also violent.
The biggest 'victory' today for the federation has been that it has frightened the UBS and there will be no coaches tomorrow.
The Police tomorrow should see to it that there is no illegality on our roads.
R. Balzan
Jul 14th 2008, 20:16
Clearly its time for the whole range of public transport services to be liberalised. And please stop using my taxes to subsidise people who apparently feel that the country owes them a living.
Alexander A Farrugia
Jul 14th 2008, 19:33
The scenes witnessed today bring into mind the scenes we have watched on TV over the last few months after the elections in Zimbabwe and Kenya. The actions being taken by the bus drivers, taxi drivers, mini bus drivers are not decent to a democratic country. Due to their actions, the UBS has announced that no coaches will do any trips for the safety of the drivers. The hooligans, ie. the bus drivers/owners, taxi drivers/owners and mini bus drivers /owners should have their licences revoked and not allowed to register as unemployed. Their actions have jeopardised the livelihood of all democratic workers and their families as well as especially the livelihood of the hospitalty workers. Touirism brings to Malta millions of Euro. Come on be sensible and do not let passion win. Let us be a united people and turn to the table for dialogue.
Kevin Zammit
Jul 14th 2008, 19:32
I think it's time to let the scicilians know they can come here and fill the gap ... actually make it sweet for them to do so. Give them the subsidy instead ...