Transport federation sticks to its guns

"The Transport Federation said this evening that it strongly condemned all violence and intimidation directed against its members."

... don't they condemn 'all the violence and intimidation' by its members? What a shame! All their licenses should be revoked and made to pay a hefty fine ... maybe even give us back some of the money they got as subsidy as a tax refund!!

Is anyone going to believe that there was violence and intimidation against the members of theTransport Federation ? Were these claims directed at the mob that gathered in Castille Square or the ones that attacked the driver of a UBS coach which had its windscreen smashed? Whose side were these thugs? The Transport Federation is playing the wrong game. They simply can't win.
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA

So should Austin Gatt. It will be a great let down if he backs down to them. Then we will know exactly who runs Malta.

Oh, yes if you call this a DEMOCRATIC strike, then the federation is still living in the Golden years. 80's. The majority of the population is more against this kind of Federation and its acts towards innocent citizens. KEEP IT UP>>>>

A succeessful strike means that most of the people in the country backs you and understands why you have to do it. In this case the strike is a failure because this time you are alone and nobody is actually supporting you. Everyone is actually supporting the government, a rare thing in our country, for once we agree upon something. I would not call this strike a success, no way.

"The federation thanked its members and non-affiliated organisations for having made its strike a success."

They call that a success? If anything they've lost everyone's sympathy... which would have helped them...

Can't these guys see that they cannot rally any sympathy from anyone on the island? It's about time that they realise that monopolies are things of the past, the way public transport works (sic) is outdated etc. I, for one, would like to use public transport more frequently, but why should I do so if to go from Luqa to Paola by bus it would take me at least an hour using two buses, when I can get there with my own car in five minutes? The whole system needs changing from the roots, but these guys want to hold on to antiquated ways as that suits them best.

Why should i agree to contribute for subsidy when i do not utilise the public transport? No one pays my car insurances, fuel and expenses. Why should i pay does of other? Grow up please. Respect the others and stop this stupid strike.

There is definitey something wrong in this statement. In just one verse it appeals to "the government and the opposition to agree on the withdrawal of newly issued permits and also withdraw the threat of liberalisation" and immediately it augurs "for talks on a reform of the sector for the benefit of the public, the operators and their families".
Is there a misprint somewhere please?????

'strongly condemned all violence and intimidation"...should continue... "towards our daily clients, the general public and the police force and for once agian given a shameful image to the foreigners".
Go on Austin now is the chance to liberalize ALL the transport system and get rid of the monoply which is leave so much space to ARROGANCE !!!!!!

The only thing that will benefit the public is the full liberalisation of the public transport sector. Without this no amount of promises and investment will give a better and necessary service to the public.

In a democratic society, no one blocks roads and keeps the people hostage!

STOP posing as being the victims - For ages the Maltese public has been your prey. (with apologies to the handful of bus drivers who were polite with an helpful to commuters)

Ladies and gentlemen this is Captain Austin Speaking, please fasten your seat belt, we are gonna get to the promised land very soon:))
Let's just do it... !!!!!!!

Sympathy with the public is not good enough. The Maltese public has been shortchanged for years. Tourists are shortchanged without any scruples, passengers are assaulted, buses are filthy, drivers are abusive, ill attired and reckless.
For all this the government has been subsidizing them!
This is more than enough and the more aggressive these people are, the more steadfast should the government be.
Frequent complaints by locals and tourists alike in the dailies are constantly ignored and the service instead of improving is continuously going downhill.
Let the Federation stick to its guns, while the public holds on to its wallets because it can no longer condone government aid to this sorry lot.
They don't want to work, fine. Let coaches and drivers from European countries come in and provide real service. Let the taxpayer be spoiled with what it has been deprived of for years. If Maltese have the right to work elsewhere within the EU, so do the other twenty six States.
Funny how these same people were telling us the Sicilians will invade and take our jobs - now we are presenting them an opportunity to come in and rescue us from these people.

You missed the bus Federation of Transport

Success is when you get what you want.....What I've seen till now is a big loss for the public transport, mini buses and taxis. They lost a day's work. Let's see how long they continue to stick to their guns and continue loosing money.

What action will the Transport Federation take against those members who used violence this morning and illegally blocked streets and procuring danger to many of us? Us people need action not words, well done to the Government, I'm a harsh Labour supporter and voter but in this issue it (the Govt) has my support and many others like myself. The Transport Federation succeeded in uniting the Maltese people, against them.

In a "democratic society" there are no monopolies!!

Sympathy with the public by the Transport Federation my foot! Why don't you read the letters that appeared in the papers condemning the savage behaviour of certain bus drivers? Why don't you lift one tiny finger to stop the life threatening pollution created by so many of your buses that should have been consigned to the scrapyard years ago? Why don't you get a life and come to the 21st Century waking to the fact that public transport is a public service as much as water and electricity supplies.

It is time for Government to call your bluff. The whole nation is against you and do not try to play the victims claiming "violence and intimidation" against your members. You have been intimidating the Maltese public fo so many years and your time is up.

Call their bluff Austin. Don't give in to blackmail or threats. The whole nation is behind you and against the Federation's stupid directive to strike on this issue

"The Transport Federation said this evening that it strongly condemned all violence and intimidation directed against its members."

What about the violence and intimidation caused by its members?

Dawn Bis Serjeta???

What about the violence and the intimidation directed against police members and politicians??

The Transport federation is to back off and start thinking about alternative employment of its members since with this attitude all of the Maltese Society will be denying their services, be it Red, Black, Green and AN!!!!!

Why subsidize them? Money would be better sent towards families paying such high bills rather then these buses (the subsidy is surely not being of an aid towards maintenance).

Today the drivers have shown that they are really the laughing stock of the Maltese Islands. They think that they have all the power to do anything they want. They think that they own the roads. They think that by not observing the road signs and defying traffic norms and directions, no one can punish them. What I can say is that they are arrogant, self centered and lack self control. We need them out of here...please GonziPN liberalise the market and improve our state services by offering alternative public transport. We are fed up of their attitudes.

Violence and intimidation were directed by federation members against members of the public going about their normal business, and not the other way round, as clearly evidenced by news videos shown on all TV stations. Fed members are free to demonstrate and to strike to their hearts' content, but they have no right to obstruct public roads. The irrisponsible actions by the fed today have only served to further alienate the public from the fed unjustified causeand in favour of speeding up liberisation. Government is assured of the full support of the vast majority of the public in its stand in favour of liberisation of public transport, The sooner that that is done, the better for all concerned - including fed members, though they are too egocentric and blinkered to see that.

The transport federation has this time bit more than it chew. I guess this was a gross micalculation on their side for various reasons...

(1) Minister Gatt is not one to be intimidated, federation thought they would bully him down. WRONG!

(2) The previous ministers were suger and smiles in comparison, and this the federation thought they were dealing with another yes man. WRONG!

(3) Buses, taxis, minivan owners, all have a really bad name amongst the majority of this nation. Be it for their over-charging, bad manners, ill treatment of tourists, pollution from their mixed fuel, their brashness, they bully driving manners and so much. They think they will pull the public opinion to their side with strikes. WRONG! People are ready to suffer for weeks with your strikes...as long as all the machoisim you have fades away.

(4) Federation think they are owed a living and the monopoly should remain..hekk ghax hekk ! - WRONG!

We have had more than enough. It is good that at least we have got someone who can stand up to your threats. You have drained the Maltese taxpayer without trying to improve the extremely poor standard of public transport. Shame on you.

Why should the new permits be withdrawn ? Why should public transport not be liberalised? Why should you be so worried? Please note that we do NOT owe you a living. We want service for our money not disservice and uncivilized people!!

When interviewed on one local news, they are saying that they feel a bit cheated by pre-electoral promises. However their demands are now impossible. I hope all return to normality as soon as possible.

One must also remember that in such sectors, even abroad, there are limits to liberalisation. For example, in London, there is only one underground company as far as I know. Same for the buses. Of course, I think companies may compete to own the service, but still, only one will service the public. Logistics and infrastructure do not permit otherwise.

And mind you, transport abroad is not cheap. So, with all the liberalisation and no subsidies, we will still have to fork out higher ticket prices. So, where is the gain?

The woderful thing about all this is that the stink of diesel exhaust was absent this eveining.

G

Everyone has the right to industrial action. However no one should abuse the right. Furthermore no one should engage in unlawful action totally unrelated to the industrial dispute. Parking in the street is a criminal offence. Police should have issued fines to all the bus owners et. If bus drivers want to strike, they may. But they may not break other laws. Furthermore whoever planned these actions must not be able to counto ten. In any industrial action it is opportune to have the ublic on your side. No one is on the self-employed transport people! The action should be directed at Gov, not consumers. Example letting everyone on bus free. Thereby Government loses revenue. That was consumers support the industrial action! Shame on the bus drivers strategists for the supid tactic and for attacking joe the consumer rather than Lorry that promised them heaven on earth!

everyone has right to strike, but not to disrupt others life, or to create violence, or to disobey rules |(block traffic);
a government is elected by democracy, has a majority and represent the country, everyone was free to vote;
the majority voted EU thus liberisation of work: Everyone who works risk with competitors.
the transport federation is not the government, does not represent the public and does not create public rules. What does it expect .... take over and rule the country.

This is your Europe which the majority voted for!

Success? Dream on! Does losing income amount to success?

These ppl are unbelievable. How can the transport federation say with a straight face that its members were intimidated? Who were the ppl trying to enter castille then? I also saw footage of ppl breaking the windscreen of a private coach? WHO were they then? Aliens? The federation lives in a parallel universe and needs its head examined. These monopolies are a totally outdated business model and are a remnant of a past age. They should beon the trash heap of history, with their buses parked on top of them.

Don't shed too many tears Victor Spiteri, you're going to break our hearts

Sympathy, my foot. Please show sympathy and consideration for the extra taxes we pay to subsidize you. The least you could do is to treat customers with respect.

One question: Would you have done all this noise if there was someone else in government? I am sure you wouldn't.

The Transport Federation should always act in a way as to attract the approval of the general public in whatever decisions it makes. You cannot get such approval with irrational directives. You cannot and you have no right to inconvenience the public the way you did. You did expect violence but you still proceeded with your unlawful and awful plans.

If you want to go on strike, order your people not to report to work and hold a peaceful demonstration at Castille but what you did is barbaric and highly uncivilized.

Many people have suffered including the tourists who will definitely have no nice words to tell their friends when they go back home.

Civilly, one can achieve a lot - irrationally you lose everything.

Like all of us, the transport operators, knew that their monopolies will come to an end for at least the last four years, enough time to adequate their business and get ready for a competitive open market.
If leaving a number of tourists stranded, scorching under the sun outside the arrivals hall at MIA with no means to get on their holiday is called A SUCCESS, I don't know what to call a failure. I ask myself what was the first impression of the many visitors to our country, today!!!

Violence and intimiidation against its members ?????
You must be joking surely.
You were the ones who bullied around Malta stopping and blocking traffic.
You were the ones who went out on strike.
You are the ones who are Making Malta look bad in fromt of the tourists in the peak season.
You are the ones who are not taking into considerations sick and old people in case of an emergency.
You were warned more then once,if the goverment goes back on this,he will not look credible and loose all confidence with the people......So sit ,think and reflect before the situation gets worse and before the goverment takes further actions in the interest of the people.

Quote: It (the Transport Federation) also called for talks on a reform of the sector for the benefit of the public Unquote

With every John and his donkey baying for blood, can anyone of good will get hold of the part of the TF statement as a starting point to a real and complete overhaul of our transport system? Or is our thirst for blood insatiable?

Unbelievable but true. The Transport Federation wants us to believe that the so called protestors suffered the consequences of violence and intimidation. Look at the news footage all over the local media and anybody with a pinch of salt between his or her ears can see who was violent and intimidating. In fact you would pity the police officers who were trying to control the situation when clearly more force would have been used in any other European democracy. Whatever the case......only in Malta!

Ohhh what a pity....they are afraid of liberalisation!! They are afraid that all the arrogance towards all maltese people will cease to exist......they are afraid they won't be able to do whatever they want as they please, & when the government reacts they just strike to show their arrogance even further!! How many strikes have we suffered by general buses for raises?? How many promises to upgrade the service & educate those scruffy drivers??!! Result? Same old shameful service..... We're so sorry but hopefully your days are numbered..... We deserve somethin better which really works......

"...violence and intimidation directed at its members".

These guys terrorise the streets,
try to attack Castile,
attack journalists and a coach driver,
attack tourists in a van
and they have the sheer effrontery to say
there was violence and intimidation against THEM!

UNBELIEVABLE!

It is a pity that the spokespersons of the transport federation have communication difficulties. Why did it not condemn all violence against the police and press? why did it not say that in a democratic society there is no place for monopoly? Why is it not aware that over 90% of the people are against their actions? why were they not worried at the tourists who said they would never come to Malta again? why were they not worried about the sick and the old?

Tell it to the marines