Monday, 14th July 2008 - 07:08CET
Update 11: Transport workers block airport road, St Anne Street reopened, outbound
Taxis and mini buses have blocked an access road leading to the airport and traffic is being diverted through other roads.
The disruption is the latest in a series carried out by transport workers who are on strike in protest over liberalisation.
Traffic to the airport near the DHL roundabout in Luqa has been ebbing and flowing for the past hour, with some of the lanes being opened by the police, only to be closed again by the strikers.
Traffic has meanwhile started to flow out of Valletta through St Anne Street, Floriana after mini buses at about 5 p.m. lifted a 'blockade' lasting several hours.
Traffic in the busy street was also reduced to a snail's pace twice in the morning as buses, taxis, hearses and mini-buses blocked lanes or drove very slowly in the morning. Other traffic disruption was caused in St Julians, Marsa, the Sta Venera Tunnels and the Regional Road.
A Net Television cameraman was slightly injured when he was punched while covering the disruption caused by the public transport strike this afternoon. The incident happened in Floriana.
A private van carrying tourists also had its windscreen smashed in an incident near the War Memorial in Floriana. No one was seriously injured.
The transport workers held a noisy protest outside the Auberge de Castille shortly before noon, and there were scuffles with the police when they rushed the main door, which was hurriedly closed. The drivers were eventually pushed back and no one was injured (see separate report).
Transport Federation president Victor Spiteri later told the workers that their industrial action would continue, and they would hold another protest outside Castille if their message does not reach the government.
Mr Spiteri, said that the strike ordered by the federation was successful, with all members taking part.
He said that while the members had not wished to interrupt rush-hour traffic, they were holding protests in different parts of Malta to press their point.
Some of the mini-buses and buses are carrying streamers reading Flimkien Kollox Possibli, the PN election slogan.
The indefinite strike was called to protest over the liberalisation of licences for the operation of hearses.
The federation has said it will not call off the action until new licences are withdrawn. The government cancelled a previously agreed meeting with the federation and said the decision on the hearses is final.
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Comments
it is a show of force : Dr Gatt vs Dr. Gonzi. Dr Gatt wants to show that he has "guts" as opposed to Gonzi`s talking without reaching conclusions and taking full decisions.
We are in this mess just because in his "superiors" absence from the country, Dr. Gatt decided to show his power (at least let`s hope its not just a "favour" to a few people who will get the licences) ... now he left the country in a mess, leaving the Interior minister to solve the mess and protect the public by deciding what limit ot force to use, and the prime minister to decide on whether to backtrack and look "cowardish" or keep going and lose public support.
A minister who had all the backing and who had the go-ahead by the cabinet and the PM to go forward WOULD NEVER THREATHEN TO RESIGN IF THEY DECISION IS OVERTURNED. It means that he went for it alone !!
On another note... if we (as most of the bloggers hear have said) are soooo fed up of the situation, why do we still squable between ourselfs on what WE (as individuals) think is right and not work together to see what we all can do together to solve the situation. So I do think that the slogan "Flimkien Kollox Possibli" should work for use also....
It's not a argument of 'Austin, il-poplu warajk'. I think Austin, with all his bullying words, is no different than the striking bus drivers. He's made a mess of this situation and who is paying the price? We are!
And you know what... where do you think this will end? I'll bet you that the ATP will prevail after all.
Where in the PN electoral programme is it written that all public transport will be liberalised? Ups, maybe it's a misprint.
The GWU at the same time should strongly condem yet another attempt by a small group of "sidien" to perpetuate their abusive and inefficient monopoly at the expense of the "haddiema" - who are, after all the whole of the Maltese working population who are unable to make use of a car to go to work.
maybe some of our roads will get the badly needed re-paving...
maybe the buses should remain on strike a little longer then!
SO - Dear Minister either withdraw all licences from those who are blocking roads to anywhere and to the airport.+ tow their vehicles to the depot yard - punto e basta.
Other option - Give them an ultimatum to return to normal within 12 hours or else they lose their licence to operate - confiscate all buses which were subsidised and return them only when they are paid up in full without subsidy taken our taxes .
As for 'Tal - Mejtin' - Yes Liberalize the activity so that the whole cartell starting from the wards in hospitals phoning the undertakers that a person is dead and the undertaker immediately phoning the relative to arrange the funeral before even the corpse has gone cold and sometimes not even dead yet.. - this is outragous - need to stop NOW.
We Citizens are fed up..... patience has a limit - sometimes this country needs to be lead by an IRON fist......... so do it NOW minister.
To day,because there were no public transport,there was some fresh air around us.
What I, like to know is how many fines were issued at floriana, and the airport vicinity.
really nice indeed!! so for a dispute you would increase useless traffic just to show that you don;t need public transport. a lot of people rely on it and you can;t just tell them " hey man don't use the bus, find a lift go by walk so that we can show them we ain't need them" i think your idea is well sorry to say but not good at all. on an ecological side what about emissions and greenhouse effect. on your children's side. i think the minivan or bus is essential for children they get to learn important things from their peers during the way to school and home but if you want to put your kids in a bulb feel free and let us continue to spoil them.
@ d zahra
erm less traffic??? were the heck do you live??
about bullying of the bus could it be that you must respect the bus?? you have to appreciate that a bus is not easy to drive like your automatic fully airconditioned car (or any type of car you posses)
mutual respect is needed. all the crap said will not resolve the problem!
1)-----People are fed up with paying for inefficiencies, fed up with monopolies, fed up with being a state where might is right, fed up with a segment of the population who want to live in a comfy lacuna which protects them while the rest have to face the real, globalised and competitive world....
2)----people will give credit to those who act like Ministers and not marshmallows....to those who grab the bulls by the horns not to those who pander to everyone's wishes to our detriment, to those who act when the other side has no intention of budging, to those who intend to govern and face the storms not to those who sit on an armchair looking like the next Mahatma Ghandi preaching peace and harmony......and no I'm not referring to JM (though it does apply a bit) I'm referring to the person whose shoes Austin Gatt is filling!!!!!!!!!!
In every country people should be able to strike for their rights.
But I agree also with T. Mallia. The service of buses is making you speachless sometimes - which is better if you don't want to get insultet or beaten up. A friendly smile plus a decent way of driving I found once in 3 month.
How about getting organized in "driving communities". This is done in other countries since ages. And it get's a new hight every time the petrol goes up.
Share the petrol costs and drive with your neighbour or people from your village who are going same way at the same time. Traffic would be a lot less. Money would be saved for petrol, environment would be helped and people like me would not stand at the bus station where perhaps the bus has left earlier already or is not coming at all.
Another side which - I am sure - others are sharing: I have a small shop in Sliema. Now it is not openend since 2 days, perhaps tomorrow and...? How can I compensate my loss?
T. Mallia is right - we should also strike! Think about it!
less traffic, no stopping in the middle of the street instead on us bay.Leave them on Strike!
Let us all fight back now. Lets boycot the national transport service for being so arrogant. Lets show them that they need us and not we need them. Let us all try notto use the public transport after this strike. NOW WE SHALL STRIKE. NO MORE BUSES.. NO MORE TAXIS.. I will be taking my children to school by car myself when they start school.
You've been reading too much of Dan Brown... Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Digital Fortress and Deception Point!
Get a life!
-------------------
Michael Debono (1 day, 1 hour ago)
I have seen the scene in front of Castille in the TOM U tube. Those who rushed up the stairs did so once the doors were closed. Is that significant? What did the police officer whisper in the ears of a protester.
It's all made up to increase fares. Wait and see. It'is a P.N. manover.
Since the authorities had ample time to take necessary action for continuing transport and prevent obstructions it is evident that this a conspiracy against the people not gainst the authorities.
The P.N. are experts in simulations
These ppl have had it easy for too long. I am all for goodwill and negotiations, but year after year they have literally taken us for a ride. They show no desire to better their service nor any real will to discuss matters. Therefore, I am totally in favour of the goverment's stance. Well done Austin for sticking to your guns, and putting the commuter first!
For those of you who want to use partisan politics as a justification/condemnation, all I have to say is grow up! I am not a Nationalist supporter, but this is the goverment we have chosen democratically. And I refuse to condemn something or someone simply because of their political allegiance. The country comes first and foremost.
1. The government cancels all licences recently issued to new motor hearses. This is what the drivers are demanding, so they should be happy.
2. The government at the same time removes the need for a license altogether. Anybody with any kind of vehicle, wheelbarrow, quad bike, truck etc would be able to provide this service. Result: no more monopoly - the government should be happy.
See how easy it is to make everybody happy?
These people chose Malta for their destination...and instead of being grateful to them for having chosen us over the tough competition...we are allowing these bullies to ruin their holiday and the livelihood of thousands of Maltese.
Why aren't the police arresting these thugs who have endangered the lives of many, even stooping to the low of blocking the way for ambulances and emergency vehicles? Lock them up in jail.
The arrogance of these thugs stems from the monopoly that they've had for far too long over a public service. This is Malta's opportunity to put a stop to that arrogance by making the public transport system truly public - owned and operated by a state corporation.
However, thinking about it, could not have this waited another four months till November and not in the middle of the tourist season? The children would have loved some more hoiidays!!
Tourism Marketing: Money down the drain besides all those subsidies? What a country!!!!!!
Lets not let these uncivilised beings dictate to the goverment whet is best for our country. we pay taxes for these people and for the drydocks and for various other institutions that are doing nothing than bringing shame to our country. we are all willing to keep doing this as long as we get back our value for money!
And by the way, if these people are shamlesley breaking all the laws in our faces, why does no one have the guts to give out the order to remove them off OUR streets. We were not affraid to fight in the 80s against Mintoff's regime, so why are we not doing so now?
When is the army going to be deployed to deal with this crisis.?
And another thing. We are all in business and we all have to compete with other businesses everyday making heavy investments to do so and in addition we dress decently and are polite to our clients and customers to boot. What gives these drivers the idea that they are something special and can be protected by monopolies particularly when what they offer is a mediocre to rotten service?
you may deem this strike to be a success. If, by success, you mean that at the moment we have 95% of Malta behind the government rather than the 49.5% who voted it in, then yes, I believe it was a great success.
I, for one, will not be seen dead on a Maltese bus or taxi for quite a while!!
Arrogance and ignorance has been the order of the day. I sure hope the authorities do not give in to this bullying. The tax payer has had enough of paying taxes and getting a lousy and rude service in return! We have a right to choose where our taxes go!!
Long live democracy!
MONOPOLY IS A LEGAL ILLEGALITY.
Where is the dialogue the government said he was going to do with everyone? Once again the NP showed real arrogance and lied prior the election and he sent a letter saying that this wasn't an issue, but as i said it was before the election."
SPOT ON J. Aquilina. This is what happens when PN makes promises that they cannot keep.Promises that were given before the elections.
YES I AGREE BUS AND TAXI SERVICES SHOULD BE BETTER but I think Dr. Gatt is not handling the situation well! Re: Belching of Black smoke from buses: I guess the wardens and traffic policemen haven't been doing their job well either. Or were they told not to give tickets to this section of services provided?
I condemn all the negative effects this strike is having on this ZIMBABWE island. Those who are causing the havoc should pay for that too. However, I condemn the government for cheating everyone including us (no tax cuts, no light bulbs, higher surcharge, etc, etc) .
Welcome to the Jungle!!!! (And Gonzi is on "holiday" in Paris!!)
If there is to be liberalisation it should be done with agreement with all interested parts, not just the minister wakes up in the morning and decides to do something to justify his existence.....FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBBLI>>>>Chaos, anarchy, cheating, and the list goes on.
Now what will happen after the transport workers blocked airport road and St Anne Street Floriana? They failed to obey the laws of Malta. The law should be equal to all. What will happen after this tremendous damage to the tourism industry? Should the government continue subsiding these transport workers when they themselves are doing harm to their field of work. Such illegal actions should not be tolerated.
The transport workers should be aware that their duty is to provide an efficient service to their clients and by providing this service no liberalization will harm their living.
One Question to the Police,
Have the police taken any kind of action do they have any names of protesters, is anyone going to be charged????
Pajjiz tal mickey mouse.
Everyone has a right to strike if they feel the need to, like someone mentioned.. strikes go on around the world 24hrs.... but not obstructing the life of others. What if you had a plane to catch??.. which a lot of people did miss flights, or as in the case of many people cannot afford to lose out, not even 1 day on business. THE MARKET IS SATURATED FOR ALMOST EVERY SECTOR, if not all! So whats all this fuss from them. They work hard at keeping standards and service like presumably the rest of the island do.
I felt EMBARRASSED to be Maltese today, when a couple here on holiday came to ask me what was going on. I believe the public should strike against them now to teach them a lesson.
I hope that Government can stick to its guns and not give in to these thugs...for that's what they are. They have every right to strike, but definitely no right to blocade anywhere. Blockading is illegal and I hope these thugs will be brought to book.
Meanwhile, I do hope that both police and wardens can be tolerant to erratic parking on the part of private cars, not because they have a right to park anywhere, but given the exceptional circumstances, parking problems are bound to arise especially where lots of factories or offices are concentrated.
Other than that, all I can say to the minister is, "Please, please keep it up and don't give in!"
The only help government should give is to push people to make more use of public transport Of course this can only happen once we have a service which is no longer that of a third world country or as exorbitant as our taxis are .
Karmenu Mifsud had won a Court case against the monopoly there was. After winning his Court case, he imported several hearses. Funnily enough, he was not given his rightful permits by the Authority - against the Court ruling. The power of the existing monopoly is very obscure indeed.
There are still rules against positions of market dominance and they can still be applied in this case. With 5 hearses out of a total of 25 or so, Mifsud would not have a position of market dominance anyway.
So why don't they grab this opportunity to clock their monthly quota ....
I'm sure St.Anne Str and all other arterial road are 'no parking'!
Come on, don't be shy.....you'll have public approval for a change.
Who would be legally liable should a person die, because the ambulance was refused passage towards a patient?!
These people are simply sick, and extremely shortsighted!
And how does JM expect the PN to include the proposal to liberalise transport in its electoral programme. Don't be childish JM. As long as we have an immature electorate it will be impossible to include such proposals in electoral manifestos. We would have a second hunting lobby threatening not to vote. Now we eagerly wait for JM's manifesto at the next election.
Anybody has the right to strike or protest but blocking roads as the transport workers have been doing is unacceptable. Nobody has the right to disrupt or close major roads because they have a grievance, this is bullying tactics, not protesting. The police should be there removing these vehicles the moment the drivers refuse to move them.
These acts remind me of children throwing a tantrum not grown men and women protesting a grievance.
Agree with their issues or not, this is not the way to go around protesting, surely these people want public opinion on their side not against them.
TAXI, HEARSE AND ESPECIALLY BUS!!!!
Welcome to the EU for those who think that they can remain protected!!!!
I knew what i voted for! It's about time concrete action is taken!
Prosit Dr. Gatt! Ragel ta' stoffa!
"Strange thing is that Dr. Austin decided about all this when the PM is in France for a meeting which will not bear any fruit (Euro-Med)"
Dea rMr Sultana,such erudite comments, such political intuition, such foresight. It's a wonder you have been employed as a political pundit with CNN or the BBC. Such a waste of talent!
I'm surprised that the PM isn't here to solve this major national, no, international crisis.And how wicked of that Austin to do things whne the PM's back was turned. He will definately be soundly rebuked by the PM when he gets back. Naughty Austin!
Insurance has not been revoked. The Government only stopped the subsidies. The drviers are still obliged to have insurance cover - only now they have to pay for it themselves.
You seem to be enjoying all of this and of course blaming the government for all this.
P.S. You must have a very fertile immagination, when you speak about conspiracy against the people by the P.N. Let us live, will you?
We are not in the 80s again. That time is past. WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION.
Very angry citizen trying to go about his business.
The insurance has not been revoked. The government has just decided that the bus drivers' insurance should no longer be subsidized.
@ Mario Gauci
the Euro conversion works to something more like €2,329
With their arrogance I don't blame the gov for arriving to a dead end on the negotiations
This group now protesting because competittion has finally came knoking on their door clearly show that the time has finally come for everyone to stand up and be counted. The time has come that we do things in a proffestional way, Starting from the very service / proffestion which we all pretend to do. Competition is here for all or none.
May I ask where were these strickers when competittion to the retail segment opened up and is or will force less competitive organisatios out of the picture? Were they at the cash points unloading their trollies with a grin from ear to ear.
Grow up Malta and get serious.
Let's wait and see..
Just to keep everybody informed. A decent funeral nowadays will put you back in the region of lm1,000 (Euros4,239) and you still get a shoddy, disrespectful service
I guess that these comments would be more fair if addressed to the owners rather than to the drivers, since some of the latter are simply employed people who are now probably suffering lack of income due to their EMPLOYER`s decision to strike.
Maltese/EU Citizen fed up of paying taxes for others....
When the cat`s away ......... ?
It's all made up to increase fares. Wait and see. It'is a P.N. manover.
Since the authorities had ample time to take necessary action for continuing transport and prevent obstructions it is evident that this a conspiracy against the people not gainst the authorities.
The P.N. are experts in simulations
Dr. Gonzi / Dr. Gatt - For God's sake, the largest majority of Malta is behind you on this one - Don't let us down by giving up.
and there was us all praising Dr. Sant for changing the Labour party? aye right.
The use of violence will only reinforce the public´s predominant opinion that the striking drivers should call it a day and go home and think hard (if they´re able to do so!) about their action. Hopefully they will soon realise that all they´re doing resembles a child throwing a tantrum.
Too bad that the irresponsible behaviour of the striking drivers is undoing some of the hard work of all those involved in improving the image of Malta abroad.
The good thing is that they have very little sympathy (if any at all) from the general public.
So why all this fuss??!!
THIS IS NOT A ‘STRIKE’ AS SOME JOURNALISTS ARE SAYING.
THIS IS A STOPPAGE, AND ILLEGAL AT THAT.
A STRIKE ONLY HAPPENS IN AN EMPLOYEE-EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIP.
THESE ARE NOT EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE BUS-OWNERS AND MINI-BUS OWNERS STOPPING THEIR CONTRACTED AND SUBSIDIZIED WORK AND ILLEGALLY BLOCKING THE ROADS.
PLEASE, JOURNALISTS, DON’T PLAY INTO THEIR PROPAGANDA GAME.
Keep it up Minister Gatt. The opinion of the majority of the public is with you!!!
You think if anyone needed emergency help or if anyone missed the flight they would ever forgive you?
Bottom line, you blew it big time.
buses,taxis and minvans to drive past Blata l-Bajta and Pieta thus bringing the capital to a standstill and making it even more impossible for people to get to town in their own cars instead of the buses "li btal-linja jaqbillek" Was it past their imagination to block these two accesses to Valletta to anyone except people who were driving a vehicle with a valid reason for being on the road!?
suggestion: can the times help in starting a poll? or a petition perhaps?
Well, one thing to consider while protesting is to keep the public on your side.. something which these drivers absolutely don't have. I hope the government will not be intimidated by such childish actions.
In the meantime I wish that the Public Transport authorities and respecting subordanites end this useless strike since the Government has given them more than enough chances to change.
Now it is time for us the customers to use a proper Public Transportation System which is efficient and at the same time on time.
The steps that the governemnt has taken is a clear picture of mature political approach.
Yes together everything is possible, with the Government, the General Public is with you!!
Who do these protesters think they are?
What right do they have to stop the other people from going about on their daily errands?
How would one of them feel if somebody close to him had to go to hospital in an emergency but didn't make it because of the traffic jams?
How do they expect us to believe that their primary interest is to meet the demands of the country when, by their actions, they are causing problems to our turism industry?
Will we see action being taken against these people? Just looking at the video is enough.
- open shirt with chest hair showing
- swearing
- driving recklessly
- overcharging tourists
- not giving change
- smoking on the bus
- starting the bus before the last person is seated
- not stopping at all stops
- racism
- overfilling the buses
- farting and belching
- stopping for beer
What do you mean by saying "transport workers with old Mintoffian thinking"?
If you were old enough to remember "Mintoffian thinking" you would recall that when bus drivers tried the same stunt in the 50's Mintoff went on air and told them, in so many words, "The buses are yours but the Government owns the licences. Either you get back to work or your licences will be revoked!"
Needless to say, they were back at work within two hours. This is what our Government must do to put these persons back in their place.
The people are with Government on this one - and this time it is not just a 'wafer-thin' majority! As we say in Maltese, "Ir-raguni ma tridx forza".
Get rid of these thugs Bullies , I'am with the govt on this issue and pls remove there vehicles with force if need be tks.
And stop attacking people who do not agree woith you, everyone is against monopolies in Malta, but noone likes to be bullied around like we have been for the past 25 years. Actually i admire their guts when Taxes and Utility bills skyrocketed the Maltese chickens just bowed to their master without questioning anything.
Do not be pathetic. How is that going to change Gaddafi's mind to cooperate?
Or are you suggesting that Malta should again be a reneegade State as it was in the 70s and early 80s.?
Change all sectors not just hearses, so they get a taste of their own medicine, and a change is done. Wipe this non sense and bullying they have, the attitude "Naghmel li inrid", for the 100 times I went late because of them.
Change the words from London Underground to ADT or Malta Transport
M. Farrugia
As for the strike - everyone has a right to strike so we have to accept that - like it or not.
the writing was on the wall,. These guys had ample time and were given ample opportunities, subsidies, new vehicles, etc. Did they bother, did they heck!
And another thing. If teh funeral business is doing so bad, what have the hearse people got to worry about. after all no one invests in a dying business (excuse the pun!) In reality thes people had it all stitched up and want to keep it that way. They're just lucky that people have not noticed just how much it was stitched up because they do not have to use their services that often and they are too involved in their own grief to ask the right questions.
Government's tactic is a great chess move, start with the small break the union and then proceed full speed ahead.
Its not the government which is riding roughshod , its the Malta Transport federation riding roughshod over the public.
First the buses system needs drastic upgrading not cosmetic ones. Most bus drivers are ok, but a few bad ones give the rest a bad name. May I ask why a substantial number of drivers who cannot live without cigarettes are employed on a non-smoking public transport in the first place?
Why some of them decide to miss a route or a road or a stage especially the last few hours of the day simply because they think nobody would be at particular bus stops?
What about the total incompetence of the ADT in handling the bus cards, an example of gross mismanagement of an excellent idea?! Nobody uses the once much flaunted cards while the dispensing machines are rot idily at Valletta terminius.
This government belives so much in privitisation, well here is the exception.....a public service already privitised! Doesn.t an unsigned draft copy of an agreement that has been rejected give the impression of a rather amatuerish way of handling things?
Both sides can do better but are they willing to do better?
It started off about hearses - and look now!!!
THIS IS SICK!!! Buss drivers and taxi drivers are the last people who should complain!!! As i said before - we all have competition with our place of work - do we all strike - NO we get better at our jobs to make ourself more attractive to the client / employer!!!
GROW UP MALTA!!!
Dear Dr. Gatt / Hon Gonzi,
Please put these people in their place, no person should have the right to hold the Govt of a country and the country in general at ransom. Either submit to our demands or we bring the nation to a halt!! That is almost akin to national terrorism!!!
We pay taxes, we work and we strive to better ourselves - these people do not, they have the same excuse ready preprinted and laminated in their pocket!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!
Do you live on this island at all???
FIrst and foremost, the issue WAS just about hearse owners, until the ATP decided to get everyone else involved!
secondly, the public transport system in Malta is highly inefficient, and its operators do not know how to negotiate but rather try and bully everyone into submission. The fact that there are other sectors where service is lacking does not justify their behaviour. And whilst conceding their right to strike, they have no right to obstruct roads or disturb public peace.
Quite frankly I have no sympathy left for these people. If you have ever come out of your glass house and used public transport, you will know what it feels like to wait for an hour in the sun/rain waiting for a bus that never turns up, you will know what it feels like to be shouted at simply because the driver is in a bad mood, and you will know what it feels like to be verbally abused by one of these driver-thugs for no reason at all.
This government should stop rolling on everyone and if an agreement spanning some years had been signed between government and the MTF, why all of a sudden a change of mind? Yes we need liberalisation, we want a better public transport but the way things are done by the government are wrong!! The government can't keep crushing on everyone as now the hurts are being painful. Pain finally turns into anger, which leads to instability due to actions taken by factions of people/workers.
Flimkien Kollox Possibli!!
you have to go down on road blockers like the proverbial ton of bricks
We cannot allow such a situation where persons may die on their way to hospital due to road closures or purposely slowing down of traffick by the public transport
MTA, you arrogance has earned you the contempt of the Maltese public.
You voted for the EU and you knew what was to come, so now you have to get what you voted for and lump it.
Other sectors were liberalized.
Now it's your turn.
THE HAVE NO RIGHT TO BLOCK ANY ROADS.
The POLICE DID NOT take any action to prevent this AND they were warned beforehand and should have prepared for this chaos......DISGRACEFULL....Buses / Taxis / Vans who do this SHOULD have there permits removed immediatly if they dont clear the roads.
This is anarchy.
Well done to the Goverment this one, hope you stick to your guns, we citizens are behind you.
Are you aware of the fact that lots of people who definately don't want to use the buses in their current state, often give up going shopping in Valletta because there is no decent place to park ? That is also lost business !! If the service is brought up to scratch, people will start considering using the buses again (GHAX FL-AHHAR IKUN JAQBILLEK !!) and more ppl will give shopping in Valletta a try.
The more you complain, the more you appease this dinosaur who is now overdue for extinction !
'Mr Spiteri said that while the members had not wished to interrupt rush-hour traffic, they were holding protests in different parts of Malta to press their point.'
What absolute drivel. what other reason is their then to park your vans across two lanes in St Anne Street, if it is not to interrupt traffic.?
And what is the point they are trying to make: that not only do they ruin our health when they are working thanks to the belching fumes but that they will make everyone's life a misery when they are not working??
when will Mr Spiteri realise that commuters and the public in general is fed up of their arrogant ways and that they need to account for there actions. it was only a few weeks ago that a foreign commuter was attacked by one of these strikers. and that is not the first or last incident of thsi nature.
Its about time the public transport system was brought into the 21st century and if we have to have a summer of discontent then so be it.
A showdown between the transport union and the government? I'm with the government on this one. Good on you mr Gatt for not budging.
Also this must be a breath of fresh air for residents in Floriana, which have to cope with huge amounts of black toxic fumes and soot spewing out from those old digusting buses 7 days a week 365 days a year. We all remember what the Porte des Bombes looked like and what caused it.
Oh, yes, I suppose the illegal blocking of roads was done to help the flow of traffic.
SHAME on the providers of public transport.
Poor cops whose lungs where filled with the polluting buses`exhaust!!!
Hopefully when this ends...without any concessions...they will be booked for polluting and use of Foghorns....which I think are illegal!!!!
IF I WAS THE MINISTER I WOULD SEND POLICE TO CONFISCATE EACH ONE OF THEM AND USE THEM TO EAS THE BLOCKADE.
Malta needs efficient public transport, run in a corporate manner, and not loads of individuals holding a collective monopoly.
The market is there - untapped because the current public transport system is not efficient enough to actually attract customers - given licenses I am sure there are enterprising operators who would set up a new service to compete with the current racket and provide decent service.
I have been to most european countries, and nowhere is the public transport service as disastrous as in Malta, and that's on a good day where they are not striking and making havoc for everybody else who needs to use the roads.
It was OUR tax money that paid for those brand new buses which the drivers have already ruined through ridiculous 'modifications'.
So not only have the drivers showed total disregard for those members of the public who rely on public transport, but they have also decided to inconvienience them even further by blocking arterial roads....If there was ever any doubt what the mentality of these 'people' was there certainly isnt any now. They are greedy, lazy and bone idle who will use any old excuse to go on strike to get a few extra days off.
Everyone in their right minds knows that liberalisation of markets encourages competition based on efficiencies, price and choice...all of which are virtues of a free market economy and all of which will help to better the service provided to the customer. Deport these strikers over to Burma or North Korea so they can be with their 'comrades'
If this strike persists on Tuesday, the government should start the process of liberalising the public transport sector.
I agree totally with the government to liberise both the hearses and buses sectors. Yes its good for the public.
So Mr. Spiteri you argue that so that a few people continue earning high revenue, public should suffer and stay using the bad service you provide.
Minister and Dr. Gonzi, go on liberise the sectors...this is what really Malta needs...it is in the interest of the public. I m sure 98% of Malta will be behind you.
I go through the Valletta Bus Terminus each morning and feel disgusted by the attitude of the Bus Drivers eating Pastizzi and drinking tea while insulting and joking around in the middle of pavement and at times throwing stuff at each other accidentally hitting passers by! This market should be liberalised completely! NOW!
The Main problem with this strike is that the Public Transport sector has driven the general public away from it but supplying a shoddy and unreliable service, forcing most Maltese to buy a car to be able to get from A to B in time.
This strike is only going to be a nuisance if these people are allowed to block the roads (which is deffinintely illegal).
Please for everyone's sake, do not give in to these threats of strikes etc, Malta deserves a clean, reliable and effivcient public service and to be honest i cannot believe that what we have will improve, it never has.
I'd like to ask - why this all of a sudden attack on hearse owners - where they really bothering anyone or was this an act to show off some bullying or to get our minds of the fuel surcharge perhaps???
and did my induction couese for 2 weeks in early 1991, no body that is the lecturers referred
to the use of a hearse as a public transport. Public transport conveys live people to places,
a hearse conveys a cataver who is unable to speak or receive change from the hospital to church and finally to a place of rest with no return. A funeral is not an outing or commercial
convenience. So why does the Public Transport Association, Mini Busses, Taxis, and the rest
who are carrying out this protset making life hell to the general public certainly not to the govt,
as they travel in official cars, I ALSO TRAVEL my car so who needs Public Transport. All I know is that my last journey will be in a hearse as chosen by family and not by the rest of the
transport uniouns. This is not a national problem, its a PT Assoc problem and the rest who provide transport.
Why doesn't the population how 'flimkien kollox possibbli' works and puts these idiots in their place! And shouldn't the police be intervening from blocking the main roads?
encourage more cars??? not these people's fault????
Boy am i glad you're not in control of the nation. These Luddites have done their level best to fight for the status quo. what they did not relaise is that hey have pushed so hard to get their way with no concern for their customers they have made themselves irrelevant. so much so that they realized that a strike would not cause the island to stop so instead they have had to resort to creating traffic jams.
The irony is that if we had an efficient public transport system, these guys would have a lot more work
Where have u been lately, Haven't you heard that the Government have either issued or is about to issue an International call for those interested in providing ferry service from Malta to Gozo.
You're a pathetic joke! No one can take you seriously.
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
And please, should you stike again, I wish that they don't be even more irresponsible as they did today so that at least there would be one positive thing out of it.....it would be healthy for our environment.
before you spk get yr facts right pls - gozo channel will no longer be a monopoly come 2009 - govt has already advised that there will be call for applications for the gozo vessel service
Do not give in to a bunch of guys who think that they have authority over the Authority.
All it takes is one strike-breaker and the rest will soon follow. The owners of the hearses will start giving in too and all will be back to normal in a few days time. The 'public' transport, taxis and mini buses should be ashamed...whats the connection??? A show of force, some sort of pre-warning!!!
i look forward to having more hearse companies. Has anyone done the maths...these people must be making a lot of money. Anyone interested???
On the subject of death, does one alays have t use a hearse?
There seems to be a consensus on this fact. (thank you Joseph Muscat)
The apprehension of present operators is perfectly understandable.
It would be a pity if it turns out that Government embarked on this first step without having a detailed road-map where it wants to take transportation.
A drill in introducing such reforms may be as follows:
1. Look at the market
2. Apply a vision that zooms into a future
3. Analyse resources, potential providers and economic and other circumstances
4. Get a business plan together
5. Plan for any eventuality
6. Sell the plan to all interested parties including commuters and potential operators
7. Amend plan only to make it better (and not compromise with monopolies)
8. Implement.
Looking in from the outside, Government's action appears somewhat patchy or unilateral (where is the big plan? Is there one?)
The present tensions should be replaced by an excitment by one and all based on a conviction that we shall have a better transport system.
It is not an easy task. Straight-forward liberalisation without focused Government lead will only mean cherrypicking volume lines letting capillaries high and dry.
I hope the govt stands his ground and keep the licenses open and hope he has the gutts to follow suite with the liberisation of all public transport, enemalta and even Gozo Channel if there's the market for that too.
I can still remember the first public transport strike under Mintoff as prime minister in 1957. Mintoff at that time came on the Rediffusion at 9 am and gave a two hour warning to bus owners to resume the service or face the cancellation of the licences. Before 11 am the service was back in business. Government should act likewise without delay.
It will teach them a lesson and help the Maltese environment SUBSTANTIALLY.
If these people have no respect for my job, I will have no respect for theirs.
If they really wanted to protect their livelihoods, they should have taken care of their jobs a long time ago. In the many years I used the public transport system, it has proved unreliable, uncomfortable and impractical. The drivers' behavior often leaves much to be desired, especially with regards to tourists. Although there are polite and courteous drivers, these are few and far between. Manners and good service are not an added bonus to using ANY form of service, but an integral part of the job.
On the bright side...seeing the funeral hearses carcading was rather amusing!
Congrats to the Transport Federation for protecting Taxi's who are over priced, rude and drive like lunatics endangering everyone else.
Congrats to the Transport Federation for protecting Mini Bus drivers, who fail to upgrade their vans which carry our children to school thus avoiding the necessity of seatbelts for the protection of all.
Congrats to the Transport Federation for protecting Hearses who charge us exorbitant prices taking advantage of people who just lost a loved one.
An appeal goes to Austin Gatt in particular and to the government and opposition in General. Do not give in to these ridiculous demands.
Another appeal goes to all the Maltese who make use of Public Transport, and those who own cars. Lets help each other out and give lifts to people who need them. I collected three people I did not even know from bus stops this morning. If everyone who has a car can do the same, then it will be our way of fighting back to bring much needed change in the public transport sector.
The transport sector have never had it so good ... Nationalist administrations have always given them whatever they wanted.
So, Gaetano Fenech and his ilk ... dream on. Do your worst. I simply hope that the government will not give in!!!!!
This is not a question of livelihood: this is a question of getting more than one's fair share!!!!!!
Now the next step must be for him to tell them...
'Start operating now. All those who are not operating will have their license withdrawn and if by tomorrow the public transport is not back to normal, we will liberalise all the public transport'
This is all the Maltese want. No more Smoking buses, ignorant driver (not all), arrogant, dirty buses and the joke of the mediterrenean.
I have to say I'm with the government on this one. Sometimes you do need to put your foot down against this type of arrogance... they think they can be protected forever at the detriment of the consumer!
Sorry, but you still had to see the yellow buses on the road today!!! And maybe today you can realize that most of the buses are no more than 5 years old, newer than most of the old cars that their owners claim they have passed the VRT test! Or maybe we can be all so health conscious to walk to work today!!!??
Thanks for stand you took against this cartel, hope you take the same for the White Taxi too.
weldone Dr. Gatt
let us all help those who need transportation so as not to encourage the bus drivers' illusion that our country is brought to a standstill when they do not operate!
...all cars pollute no matter what their colour is!! less buses means more vehicles on the road.
Come on Gonzi. Bring competition in this island. Bring us another transport system so we have to choose and these funny guys will no longer roll over the people!
do you expect us to rape Gozo just to make it easier for a few tourists to get there just because there happens to be a bus strike?
Tell it to the marines Roy.
As for the public transport, thanks for striking chaps.
You have just confirmed what we have long been suspecting.
You are the greatest polluters on the Island.
Notwithstanding the thousands of more cars on the roads this morning, the air is cleaner.
You can see it, feel it and smell it.
Keep it going Austin!!!!!! Show them who is in comand. We should be ashamed of our public transport!!!! No wonder why we have all these car running aroud such a small island!!!
If anyone here has been rolling on everybody for decades, it has been the (crappy) public transport system...
And (let) the problems begin.
Now let's hope that Government takes the necessary action and privatises ALL public transport for the benefit of all the Maltese citizens.
I totally agree with opening this sector, busses, minibusses, hearses - open it all!!! It is high time too!!! Malta needs a decent and reliable service, not one like we have with busses literally stinking!!!
A question, I heard it mentioned that the strike was designed not to effect tourists, erm but what about the tourists that are not groups and do not use coaches and arrive today in Malta, how are they going to get to their accomodation, they are stuck at the airport!!!
SHAME SHAME SHAME!!! Disgusting and quite frankly stupid!!!
At the end this is already a lost cause, back in 2003 Malta opted for the European Union and its free market policy. The end of protected, subsidised and safeguarded markets was clear since then.