Cynthia Busuttil and Matthew Xuereb
Rush on Castille
Government stops €60,000 daily subsidy to buses
Mayhem reigned yesterday, as transport operators paralysed the island, a handful even charging up Castille steps in Valletta. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.
The government took a tough stance against striking bus drivers yesterday and stopped their subsidies after they paralysed the island by clogging arterial roads.
The situation had got out of hand earlier when drivers charged up the steps of Castille, trampling over policemen and slamming their fists on the closed door, while shouting obscenities at the government, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his family.
Hundreds of bus, taxi and mini-van drivers rushed up Ġlormu Cassar Avenue after Assistant Police Commissioner Josie Brincat ordered them to remove vehicles blocking the road around the War Memorial in Floriana.
Although the police were quick to drive up to the Prime Minister's Office, they were outnumbered by the drivers, who charged through a blockade of a small number of policemen to get to the main door. Three busloads of policemen, including Police Commissioner John Rizzo, arrived shortly afterwards but it took around two hours for Mr Rizzo to convince Transport Federation president Victor Spiteri to lead the drivers away from Castille.
Later in the afternoon, the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) published a letter it sent to Mr Spiteri - who also heads the Public Transport Association, which represents bus drivers - saying that, for the duration of the strike, it was halting the daily €60,000 subsidy which guarantees bus drivers' income irrespective of patronage.
Calling the suspension of essential public transport services as "immoral and abusive", the ADT said the strike did not have any legal or factual basis and expected public transport to return to normal.
The authorities have also stopped subsidies which help bus owners insure their vehicles. The government has forked out €2 million in insurance subsidies since 1999.
Chaos ruled in the streets yesterday as public transport vehicles, including 10 hearses, carcaded along arterial roads causing numerous traffic jams. Things came to a head when scores of vehicles arrived in Floriana, with the major artery - St Anne Street - being blocked by taxis and mini-vans for several hours. The incoming lane (to Valletta) was still blocked by buses and mini-buses until late last night.
There was also mayhem at Malta International Airport in the afternoon with tens of taxis blocking the entrance and causing disruption for people who wanted to get to Malta's only airport. A spokesman for the Justice Ministry told The Times that all those who broke the law will eventually have to face the consequences. Even the Park and Ride system ground to a halt after the operator of the shuttle service to and from Valletta took part in the strike, triggering the ADT to terminate the contract.
"The Malta Transport Authority had no dispute with Coop Services Limited and expected it would carry out its services in accordance with its commercial obligations," the ADT said, adding that an emergency service started yesterday afternoon and a full service would resume from today with another provider.
There are fears that summer games organised by the Fédération Internationale Sportive de l'Enseignement Catholique - which are due to kick off today - will be disrupted due to the strike. About 1,000 athletes - including 800 foreigners - are taking part in the games.
In a letter to Mr Spiteri, Transport Minister Austin Gatt pointed out the damage that will be caused to Malta's and transport providers' reputation if buses do not honour their contract with the federation to provide transport. And, in a separate letter Dr Gatt insisted that he had discussed the liberalisation of hearses with the Motor Hearses Association before proposing it to Cabinet. He disagreed with a number of requests made by the association, including that all hearse owners would be forced to join the association, which has to be informed before any new licences are issued, that current tariffs are changed and people with a criminal record will be allowed to drive a hearse.
People have their say
The public transport strike paralysed the island, leaving the public stranded, forcing them to get to work late and disrupting people's daily routine.
The following are comments from people compiled from timesofmalta.com, which paint a picture of frustration. The public is clearly not sympathising with the operators' cause.
John Aquilina: "There is always a way to get your message across to someone but these strikers can rest assured that these actions have far from won them any respect or support from anyone".
Joe Borg: "Buses, taxis and mini-buses have a right to strike but not to create chaos, bully the country and take the law in their hands".
Mark Anthony Portelli: "Today Malta experienced 1) Pollution Free Day, 2) There were less bus/taxi cowboys in the streets, 3) I didn't see any black smoke which hazed my driving vision, 4) A popular movement to end subsidies to unproductive and inefficient services - Malta is finally growing up".
Alex Vella Gregory: "These people have bullied commuters for too long! They got subsidies, new vehicles and countless opportunities to prove themselves. This is not the government getting obstinate on an issue but the government finally tackling a long overdue problem".
Joseph Agius: "Thank you Dr Austin Gatt... I do not want my taxes to go to these thugs. Please use my money for an efficient, liberalised, civilised, modern transport service. I deserve this!"
Michael Borda: "Why are the authorities not stopping these operators from bullying us? If I leave my car in the road it will be towed but the buses are blocking the roads. This is anarchy and the army should intervene. I hope the perpetrators have been arrested".
Lisa Fiorentino: "When the majority of the Maltese population voted to realise their dream of making our tiny nation an EU member they had liberalisation of services in mind. Competition is healthy: It rids the market of incompetent service providers".
Bernard Borg: "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".
Nicole Miller: "It is time for the arrogance, bad manners and terrible service to end! Stick to your guns, Minister Gatt!"
Jennifer Debono: "They have a right to strike but not the right to protect a monopoly or block roads. Our public transport service is a joke".
Joseph Aquilina: "After spending more than an hour in traffic I am one of those who believe the government should not give up. I am ready to spend plenty more hours in the heat as long as I see the Transport Federation lose this battle".
Paul Xuereb: "Despite all the inconveniences we are suffering, many of us are solidly behind Austin Gatt and hold in scorn the blackmail of the transport monopolists".
Ian Sammut Dacoutros: "It is disgusting, shameful and, quite frankly, verging on criminal to even allow a strike of this type in Malta".
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
12 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Pierre Agius
Jul 16th 2008, 08:12
Well done Ministry for Transport. Don't back down. Maltese People behind you all the way. We should go out and counterprotest. We also should go with our private cars to the airport and lift the tourists to their hotels. ADT what you are doing is against Malta and the people. You are alone.
Charles Mifsud
Jul 16th 2008, 08:03
I fully respect their decision to strike however this has to be done in a civilized way and not with violence. However the way to solve an issue is to discuss round a table. I think at this stage the government should intervene more and if necessary get help from neighboring countries like Italy to provide transport. These people are effecting us directly and also our tourism, which is not acceptable. This continues to prove that no monopolies should exist anymore. These people have made minimal investments as most of the investment they make like buying new buses we pay for them. I fully respect companies like Farsons, General Soft Drinks, Delicata and Marsovin who have made huge investments and when their markets where liberalized they managed to compete and quite well actually. Definitely a situation like we have is not acceptable and the government has to do more in order to provide transport both public transport, taxis etc....
p.grima
Jul 15th 2008, 23:52
Dear Dr. Gonzi, and Dr. Gatt,
Please liberalise.
If you don't do it here and now, who will, and when? Do not back off. We voted you to lead.
Please "aqtalhom iz-zejza"! Translation: wean them.
I believe Malta is tired of breastfeeding these ungratefuls who keep on adding insult to injury.
Joe Degiorgio
Jul 15th 2008, 22:36
Finaly a bold decision by the Government. Keep it up Minister Gatt; we cannot afford to have them win this battle.
Everyone has the right to strike, but since when striking involves putting up illegal road blocks, threatening the general public and damage to government property?
These bullies are blatantly breaking the law. Time to go in heavy and make some mass arrests.
David Agius (Not the M.P.)
Jul 15th 2008, 20:53
I suggest the government to threathen with immediate full liberalisation with automatic exclusion of current operators for all public transport.
Stop monopolies to taxis, buses, hearses and anything else which moves people around the island.
Ireland stopped taxis monopolies and service, prices and especially behaviour immediately changed. We need all of the above, and yes, I suppose we can do with a higher priced publiced transport at the user's end, rather than taxing everyone.
DO you know that your 0.50 cent ticket in reality is costing much more due to subsidies? I'd rather pay 1 EUR up front and be happy enough to know that no other taxes are being paid to keep in place an unefficient, rude, derisive public transport.
Having been in quite a few EU and non-EU countries, I can honestly say that our transport system ranks amongst the worse!
Carlo Laurenti
Jul 15th 2008, 20:06
As an expatriate who enjoys coming to Malta about twice a year on holiday, and as a Maltese citizen who enjoys speaking about Malta to my English colleagues and business partners, this is really an embarrassing matter.
Once again, we are seeing a typical case of empty vessels making most sound.... a reminder of the past?? It's about time such people get the minimal level of education, such as having a shirt on and buttoned up, at the least, not to mention the quality of their language!
Unfortunately once again we have a few ignorant, uneducated, egositic people effecting the many, who will find it very difficult to earn the people's support by such actions.
I hope the government and realtive authorities stand firm against such an embarrising few idiots. Perhaps its about time seeing some serious actions, such as licences and permits being revoked!
This is the only such "people" understand, nothing better than discipline! You have to be cruel to be kind!
Carlo Laurenti
Phaedra Agius
Jul 15th 2008, 16:49
This is ridiculously embarrassing. Just the picture of these shirtless men banging on Castille is embarrassing! Law and order should be retained at all costs - bring in the army and restrain these selfish brats. Cheers to the government for standing its ground.
Alfred Farrugia
Jul 15th 2008, 16:41
Do the members of the Federation have anything to lose by their action? Has Victor Spiteri explained to his members what they are losing daily during this action, and what is likely to be lost as a result of such action when the strike is over? Given the behaviour of some of his members, is Victor Spiteri comfortable that when everything is over some of his own members will not blame him for some of their losses?
It is not enough to condemn violence. A true leader should be able to control his own members not to commit violent acts. If such a leader might not be in a position to control his own members, then the time might have come for him to decline further responsibility, and resign from such a position. In the absence of such resignation he might be assuming full responsibility of the illegal actions of his members.
Is Victor Spiteri certain that all the current action – legal and illegal - is being performed by his own members? Could there be third parties who are taking advantage of the situation? Has the Federation opened a Pandora’s box?
Paul Gauci
Jul 15th 2008, 15:10
Today I had an important appointment. Since I don't own a car I had to walk it from San Gwann to Pembroke. I just hope that the Government won't back down. The liberalisation of the transport sector has to be carried out as soon as possible. If I have to I'll keep on walking as I did today.
N.B. Maybe its time that Malta starts considering the possibility of building an underground system.
Charles Camilleri
Jul 15th 2008, 14:50
Enough is enough. We have elected the Government to run our island and protect us from such cowboys. So it has failed. The people are demanding strong action. The bus drivers can strike as much as they like but they should leave alone doing our business. Stopping us on the road and threatening us is most disgustful. The worst thing that can happen to the Government is to show weakness. The Govt should muster determination and assure the people of its ability to hold law and order. unless this is done worst things will follow in the future.
P.M. Camilleri
Jul 15th 2008, 11:45
Strong with the weak, weak with the strong it seems!
L Galea
Jul 15th 2008, 09:56
Sue the Public Transport drivers for the losses incurred in every sector due to their illegal actions.
They have a right to strike but not disrupt the country.
Don't forget that WE have paid through our taxes for a subsidy of Lm50,000 for each bus that they have changed.
Can I be granted such a sum from PUBLIC money to open a business?
Can I then be granted a daily subsidy from PUBLIC money to run my business?
ALL SUBSIDIES TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECTOR HAVE TO BE STOPPED.
ALSO ISSUE LICENCES TO ALL, I REPEAT ALL PERSONS WHO WANT TO OPERATE TOURIST TOURS AT BLUE GROTTO AND OTHER PLACES.
Time for monopolies has stopped with Malta's EU membership.