Wednesday, 16th July 2008 - 09:57CET
Updated: Coach driver beaten, White taxis pick up passengers, Marsa blocked
Traffic stopped at Aldo Moro Road, Marsa, at about 10.35 a.m. (mynews@timesofmalta.com)
(Updates with buses slowing traffic in Marsa, Qormi, heading towards Luqa)
A coach driver was forced off his vehicle and beaten in an incident near Zebbug this morning.
Informed sources said the incident happened near St Dorothy School. The coach was transporting students when it was stopped by people who appeared to be striking public transport drivers. The coach driver was ordered down and beaten. His keys were stolen and the coach was left in the middle of the road.
The police are investigating.
Meanwhile, White taxis have been reported picking up passengers in various parts of Malta, reinforcing reports that while all owners of red mini-buses and route buses have been taking part in the public transport strike, there are divisions among the taxi drivers.
Black chauffeur driven cars, which have been allowed to operate as taxis, have also been making good business, after experiencing initial difficulties at the airport and the seaport. A number of owners of black taxis also own white taxis.
Meanwhile the protests by the transport workers have been continuing noisily but otherwise without incident. Buses and mini-buses left St Anne Street this morning and carcaded slowly in Sliema and St Julians. Most of the buses the returned to Valletta terminus but are now heading out, slowing traffic in Marsa and Qormi and apparently heading towards Luqa.
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Comments
I know exactly what I"m talking about as I live in France and have seen with my own eyes what my message entails!! I think on the other hand you should brush up your history ... For info, the 14th July is a national holiday in France - to be exact "La Prise de la Bastille"!!! and having been part of the diplomatic corps for a number of years, I KNOW EXACTLY what goes on !!! Satisfied?!?!
I would simply remove all their licences, rewrite a new contract and let them reapply under different conditions. those who were involved in the scuffles can go straight to the ETC offices.
White taxi drivers also own black taxis, new bus owners also have coaches (and some have swapped their engines), mixed fuel, dangerous driving, rude and ignorant - let's start afresh.
the ADT needs to get its act together and enforcement needs to become a MUST without any external negative pressure. Weldone to Autin Gatt for keeping strong.
Put a sock in it!
You just don't know what you are talking about.
Mandy Pace - get your spell checker updated
Michael Debono - Regarding your opening sentence - does your dictionary list the word 'dignity'? You'd better look it up.
J Caruana - I suppose you weren't at the New Heathrow terminal when the state-of -the-art section was opened with much pomp. Now that's being stuck - not to mention your luggage which may still be on its way to you now! Strikes happen all over - France, Italy both had airport strikes - did the workers care?
Nicole Callus - and I would imagine that you were ecstatic with the bus service before Malta joined the EU ?!
M Schembri - What you imply is that a few broken heads, bloody police batons and possibly one or two dead would make a better flick? That would really be good tejatrin, wouldn't it? Go take a pill!
Isn't this typical? All of a sudden everyone has become a prime minister, a minister of justice, a police commissioner, etc...!
I don't know how I will ever feel safe again riding in the buses of people who have shown themselves to be violent and uncivilised. It's just scary.
That's what happened with other citizens who broke the law, such as HUNTERS. Or there are two ways and two measures?!
John Rizzo, kindly take note!
I'm sure that Victor Spiteri and his group have learned a good lesson.
Austin Gatt has a job and he is doing it. Doing it well.
The police comm has a job too. He isn't doing it.
I compare your hands with Gianluigi buffon hands how safe they are 1 triumphed with his country and you Dr Lorry Gonzi destroyed our's
This is what happens when the Government promises one thing to one sector and another thing to another sector, when both of are related.
WHERE ARE THE COMPANIES?
WHERE ARE THE NEW BUSES AND SUBSIDIES?
WHERE IS THE NEW ERA OF STATE OF THE ART BUS SERVICE, promised in 1990?
Kollox tar mar-rih.
THE PROBLEM in Malta is the present administration.
PN promised a lot, they deliver very little and when things go wrong, there is always a plausible excuse for their failures!
What is happening now is nothing when compared with the problems created by the coming budget, with hefty taxes and NO dosh increase!
What would the Government do then? Tell us that strikes are not in fashion any more?
Or admit, that it had been taking 50% of the population for a very expensive ride, in the region of 3.4 billion Euros in National Debt?
The TRUE REASON BEHIND ALL THIS IS NOT THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS : its a show of force between Dr. Austin and Dr. Gonzi. The former wants to show that he has the power to do what the PM takes a "cautious approach" at (how many times we were promised reforms by Gonzi and ended up in half-baked measures, such as a medical service which John Dalli calls "part-time" ?)
The PM was away, the vice-PM was away ... and Dr. Gatt went all out on his own. Now he brought the situation to one where no-one will give up... and so its up to the PM to decide whether to use the force to the full including arrests, tear-gas and batons to stop it all and make it safe for the rest of the citizens or to back up from Gatt`s decisions and appear a loser. Prosit Agostino Pio !!!
On an other note, are these people who go to "church" every Sunday morning or? Their actions are humiliating, coward and uncivilised.
"The funeral of XX which was due to be held today, had to be cancelled due to the current strike action. Funeral arrangements will be announced later." - Today's THE TIMES.
These thugs have committed many crimes, beaten people, hijacked and intentionally damaged vehicles, held passengers against their will (kidnapping), and broken a sack load of traffic rules with their blockades because they want to maintain the status quo - a monopoly over a public service that they been unwilling to provide - a reliable, clean, and safe public transport system. Unfortunately, the police have been too slow in arresting and locking up as many of them as possible. These thugs have a lot of nerve. Taxpayers have been heavily subsidising them for years, and this is their thanks.
To the Minister and the Prime Minister. By now, it should be quite clear to you that the nation is behind you on this issue, and that whatever reasonable action you take will have the full support of an overwhelming majority of the people. The old Maltese saying goes "Il-ftira shuna tajba." Go after them.
We know this is a democracy but there are limits. This does not happen in a democracy.
In two to three weeks time we shall be licking these self inflicting wounds!!!
Smart Island my foot.
Gonzi we want action against these thug not Bla Bla lets hope you wouldn't give in to these so called THUGS after all this trouble. Note take their licence from them now Take action in afew days time every thing will be back to normal and than maybe we will have a decent transport system,
He was calmly sitting down behind the French President in the VIP stand, taking in the breathtaking views of Paris on a bright sunny 14th July whilst assisting to the Military Parade on the Champs Elysées. And to add insult to injury, assisting afterwards to the famous Garden Party at the Presidential Palace ... sipping champagne with all the dignitaries ....
Well as the saying goes: When the cat's away, the mice will play!!!! My poor little rock, what's to become of it?!?!? (Sigh!! :/)
Alternatively could a corpse be transported on any vehicle, car, van, truck, cart etc to the cemetery?
Curious to know. I emphasize my question whether there is any law in this respect.
If there is no law, then I feel it is easy to circumvent the demands of the hearse owners.
Of course we would have to get used to other ways of transporting corpses to the cemetery, such as a purposely decorated van.
Tradition should not reduce us to become slaves of rapacious people who thrive on corpses for their living.
On public transport. It is the bus owners that are striking not the drivers, though owners may be the drivers.
The public transport cannot fear any liberalization. There does not appear to be a monopoly. There are so many bus owners that increasing the number of buses will not solve any problem once there are enough to service the needs of the country and it is the government that decides on the number of buses to run the daily service
Only discipline is required.
can someone answer please?
It is safer for the children (usually they are 24 -at times even more- in a van driven at excessive speed) and avoid listening to foul language used by the driver. For the safety of my children I am ready to do this sacrifice. Above all, if several parents do the same, this would be a sign to minibus drivers that we parents are not happy with the service they offer. Organize team transport - for the good of your children!!
JVB
Italian buses strike every two months but they state the times when they strike so people have time to make alternative arrangements and they DO NOT BLOCK ANY ROADS.
apgrech/ K Grech: This is not a prime ministerial matter. I'd be bothered if he thought it were, rather than seeing to prime ministerial things.
"calm down a little" - are you serious? If coaches were boats it would look like a scene out of some pirates movie. The only set back being that there is no hero to save the day. The police force has been too weak these last three days. I would understand a subdued approach if these people were just causing traffic jams but beating up people, stealing vehicle keys, taking over coaches (at times with passengers on board) and forcing people off coaches should not be taken lightly. Btw would like your expert opinion on this - can the latter actions (stopping a coach with passengers on board, holding them against their will and prevent them from continuing their journey) be construed as a form of kidnapping?
I agree with you that the PM should not dignify these people with a response but the rest of the nation deserves some reassurances from him. We are witnessing what at face value appear criminal acts. If anything the PM should give us reassurance that, as you state, violence will ot be tolerated.
I tend to disagree with you. No, it's not a ministerial matter - not when the minister is Austin Gatt. The whole matter is now a serious national problem and shoud be taken immediately in hand by the PM. My advise is that he should send Austin on a long holiday to Australia or New Zealand, and deal with the problem himself by calling all parties round a table. Austin's macho statements, arrogance (whether perceived or not), and steam rolling style will NEVER bring about a solution. Only a "par idejn soda" can do that.
When people start worrying how they are going to get home safely, if they are going to get home at all, that is when tougher measures should be employed. I will only calm down a little when the police, army or whatever remove all the buses blocking the roads, and order the strike to end with immediate effect due to its violent turn, and the arrest of anyone who does not comply.
What are we waiting for...vigilante wars?
To Minister Gatt - just give these thugs some more rope......
keep up the good work.
I'm sure that if you were stranded at the airport you would 'calm down a little'. Give us a break.
This aggressive behaviour has become unacceptable and has to stop, FULLSTOP.
Why Malta should be held hostage by a bunch of selfish and unreasonable individuals....?
In my opinion these people who are resorting to criminal measures, should have their licences revoked for good or should we trust them again with the transport of our children or elderly once the dust has settled?
This aggressive behaviour has become unacceptable and has to stop, FULLSTOP.
Why Malta should be held hostage by a bunch of selfish and unreasonable individuals....?
In my opinion these people who are resorting to criminal measures, should have their licences revoked for good or should we trust them again with the transport of our children or elderly once the dust has settled?
At this point I do not agree that its just a ministerial matter. There are also effects on tourism and health (people who miss appointments at hospital because there is no public transport and extra people at mortuary room) at least... but maybe the pm is ' not acting', not to touch his sacred image built during election...
People in Malta are getting what they deserve now! Before Malta's the EU referendum, this was happening across Europe and nobody took heed of it because PN said that it "wouldn't happen here". Now it is, was Sant right!?!?!
But anyway, they made a fool of everyone. I am not sympathizing at all, weren't most of the buses sporting PN and EU flags before. This is what was chosen when the yes vote was given to the EU. Are the people who terrorized European people who came to Malta to warn of the problems caused by membership happy now. They shouldn't show their face in public.
YOU MADE YOUR BEDS. NOW LIE IN THEM!!!!
FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI. The best joke ever told!
One driver was arguing that he cannot cope with the expenses, he can always quit why shall i the tax payer pay more tax to support his job.
@borg cardona...
all malta is suffering...hallik mill its 'a ministerial matter ' !
The Police need to remove any driver blocking traffic from his bus, mini van or taxi and drive or tow the respective vehicle to a secure parking area which should be surrounded by the Armed Forces.
The right to strike is sacrosant however using their vehicles as "weopons" in this intimidating fashion is illegal.
What the heck, Gozni is in Paris having a good time there for free from our taxes. Why should he bother of what is happening here? Where are the other Ministers?
This country is run by a bunch of ball-less incompetents.
where shall I send the bill?
2. Where are the Police + Armed Forces?
3. What will be the implications on Brand Malta??
4. Is it not illegal to kidnap a Person off a bus and to block a Street with a vehicle? Was anyone arrested - with all the witnesses around??
Solution: The government should invite other EU transport providers, offer them security to immediately restore transport service in Malta for locals and tourists alike.
Message to Strikers: Get an education! Nobody is above the law! All other business have competition - YOU are not any or special than the rest of us.
What are these human animals on the roads trying to stop, the removal of Monopoly? What are the bus drivers doing? Having a break from their work? Didn't all this start from the hearses liberalisation? Are the 6 owners on the island afraid of competition? Don't tell me they call themselves businessmen!
I am sorry to say, that I cannot trust authorities right now. Unions, Government, Opposition, ATD administrators, first thing that should come to your mind is PEACE and nothing else. But it seems you're thinking otherwise.
Dear drivers, thank god for your physical strength, because it seems that besides that, you don't have anything else up there. You are threatened the PEACE in our country, and mind you it is your daughter's peace, your son's peace, your mother's peace.
You are threatened the little tourist industry we have. The Fisec Players? The English Students? threaten them to threaten our own economy. Well Done!
It is expected that swift and determined action to bring all those involved in the incidents to be brought to justice and that the necessary consequences be borne by the Transport Federation: The right to strike carries with it responsibilities but this seems to be a notion lost on many members of the Transport Federation.
Who shall shoulder the burden of the financial and image losses incurred by the tourism and commercial sectors? And, please, no one should mention the impact of strikes in other countries as other countries are larger in terms of territory (and hence a smaller density of population), dependent on various industries and have alternative means of transport which we do not have.
Another point it is the duty of the elected goverment to provide a safe society for us to live in, and if necessarry, use its resources to protect that society and democracy in times of difficulty and unrest. This is not always easy to achieve and is not made easier if the party in power flout election manifesto promises. That aside, the manner in which militants brushed aside the emergency bus service shows that this goverment is not able to safeguard the citizens of Malta in difficult times and would need to call in outside help to restore order if matters worsen. It is time for the ministers concerned to resign and be replaced with leaders of a different calibre.
Whether you're an arrogant hunter, a careless fireworks manufacturer, a violent policeman or a brutish bus driver - your tactics, vulgarity and disregard of human dignity is not welcome.
Protests are part of democracy but violence and thuggery are not.
You are the same people who hate immigrants for "taking your jobs" and being treated better than you. Well, at this point it seems you deserve that. I'd rather a courteous African driving my bus than a rude Maltese brute.
Your jobs depend on tourism, and yet you are prepared to terrorise tourists. This shows how dumb and short-sighted you all are.
You are afraid of competition because you know that it will force you to actually give a decent service. If you thought the service you offer was decent you wouldn't be so afraid.
With ever-increasing fuel costs, pollution and congestion in our streets, us consumers are constantly wondering what life would be like with an efficient and comfortable public transport service. This is a reminder of how much we need reform and competition.
Or is it because they don't use diesel but other adulterated fuels. All the authorities have to do TODAY is wait on a hill and book all the buses that are sprouting black smoke, and take them off the road.
However as all previous correspondents have pointed, these bullies are above the law and have always been so. Unfortunately there are too many UNTOUCHABLES in Malta who intimidate and are beyond the reach of the law. This has to stop or we will sink into anarchy
Imagine what all the tourists on the coach are going to say when the go back to their country..just imagine - tourists write reviews on internet such as, place videos on youtube and talk with their own friends about Malta!
Reading the news it sounds like reading Zimbabwe and not Malta news and our PM is nowhere to be seen or heard.
This government (lead by gonzi) is too soft on everything, and is showing leadership limits, previously masked.
Do not blame the police. They recieve orders. This is all political. The government want it all his way. Liberalisation + also their votes, and hence will not be heavy handed. We are caught in between.
Are the police not intended "to serve and protect" us citizens? Wake up Mr. Goverment! The majority of the maltese are with you - STOP subsidising these cowboys from out TAXES
I was expecting the police to make more arrests - actually arresting all those people who blocked roads with their vehicles (where were the local wardens issuing fines these last days?) and having them all towed away!
We should have deployed the Armed Forces to clear the roads with force if need be.
Police should have stopped, arrested and jailed all people blocking the airport, Valletta Waterfront, Floriana, Valletta etc ...
We should have stopped these irresponsible and violent drivers long time ago ... now it is the right time to show them that we do not approve their manners and violence! Act now Malta!