A large contingent of policemen has restricted taxi drivers to a section of Valletta Waterfront to enable a chauffeur-driven car to offer taxi services.
The taxi drivers jeered as a large contingent of policemen arrived at the waterfront, where passengers from the Norwegian Gem have had to trudge all the way up to Valletta under a blazing sun as the taxi drivers looked on. A chauffeur driver car was however blocked from offering the taxi service until the way was cleared by the policemen.
The taxi drivers then clapped in sarcasm as the car drove off with its passengers and also shouted "strikebreaker". They were then addressed by Police Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat who told them they had a right to strike but not to break the law. They have now started to drive away.
Some black taxis have also been providing a limited service at the airport, although there too were clashes with striking drivers.
Earlier this morning the emergency bus service and the new Park and Ride service from Blata l-Bajda were suspended after violent incidents involving the vehicles providing the service.
The Transport Ministry said striking members of the Transport Federation had used their vehicles to block access to the Park and Ride in Blata l-Bajda, which was being used as a terminus for the bus emergency service.
A number of striking drivers also boarded vehicles used for the emergency service and intimidated passengers and drivers (who are AFM soldiers), forcing them off the vehicles. The vehicle keys were stolen.
Some windscreens were smashed.
Meanwhile, misery continued for thousands of car drivers caught up in long traffic jams notably in Msida, Regional Road, and Marsa.
Minibus drivers have closed off all but one lane in St Anne Street Floriana and have also blocked Sarria Street.
St Anne Street was blocked by red mini-buses in mid-afternoon yesterday during protests linked to the public transport workers' strike. Traffic to Valletta is being diverted towards Sarria Church. The road towards Valletta was earlier this morning completely blocked, but a lane has since been opened.
Heavy traffic has also been reported in Regional Road.
Many transport workers spent the night in St James Ditch, near the Valletta bus terminus, some of them holding a barbeque.
The strike started yesterday morning and brought no movement from the government or the Transport Federation. An emergency bus service is being launched today. There will also be ferries from Sliema and Vittoriosa to Valletta and vice-versa.
The Unscheduled Bus Service yesterday evening that its members would stop their services because of a lack of security. A number of private mini-vans and coaches carrying tourists were attacked yesterday, although no one was injured.