Updated: "Dozens" of traffic fines against transport workers

George Curmi

Jul 18th 2008, 14:13

The time has now come for the authorities to bring to bear the full weight of the law against the thugs who participated in this disgraceful episode. Traffic tickets are simply not enough. A significant number of these thugs committed serious crimes - such as physically assaulting people, holding people against their will (kidnapping), rioting, threats to individual and public safety, high-jacking of vehicles, intentional damage to private property, violation of traffic laws, .... the list goes on.

Traffic tickets are simply not a strong enough deterrent. The courts should consider starting by imposing heavy fines - substantial enough for the perpetrators to feel the financial pinch as a deterrent - for the less serious offences. For the more serious offenders, prison terms long enough to make the point that, as expressed by the people, the authorities will not tolerate such behaviour.

We may never be able to calculate the full extent of the financial damage inflicted on Malta's economy - especially tourism.

Finally, the authorities should revoke the licence/permit to operate a bus or taxi of all those who participated in this shameful display of disrespect for the people and Malta and their laws.

martin saliba

Jul 18th 2008, 06:20

Well over a hundred fines. I think that there is a mistake somewhere. By my conservitive calculations there should be a few thousand at least.

1000 vehicles X 4 days = 4000
A minimum of 2 offenses per vehicle , 4000 x 2 = 8000

Also , it would be interesting to know how many fines were issued by the local wardens.

Andrew Pisani

Jul 17th 2008, 23:56

Hi Corrinne Vella,
Just a few points which might clarify things.
From the beginning of the next school term, all the children riding in minibuses which have factory made seat belts WILL be wearing seat belts by law. For the minibuses which do not have factory made seatbelts, the EU law does not impose on the owner to fit such seatbelts. Minibuses in Europe manufactured before 1997 do not have seat belts. However, in Malta all the minibus drivers have agreed to fit seatbelts in their vehicles, irrelevant of their age in an attempt not to lose customers. Regarding supervisors, the drivers would very much welcome any parent who is willing to come along and supervise. The drivers would rather keep their eyes on the road and not have to turn round every 5 mins to tell children to sit down and to try and catch the little vandal who is tearing their seats. The minibus Co-op would happily provide a supervisor. Are the parents willing to pay that bit extra to have their kids buckled up and supervised? Simple; Better service = higher price. (and we are not even mentioning the price of fuel)

Denis A. Darmanin

Jul 17th 2008, 23:39

Dr Gonzi, Dr Gatt, Police Commissioner and all those who yield authority.
Please take good note of most of the letters and comments written by the public during the last few days.
This is a clear indication that most Maltese and visitors are not happy with the our public transport, the behaviour of many drivers, the conditions of a number of busses, the choking exhaust, the heat, etc. These feelings were always there and the strike gave all a chance to openly express their concern and anger.
As of tomorrow, stricter inspections of busses and mini busses should be made and surprise inspections by police to see that no-one is abusing. Just like many things in Malta; some busses and mini busses have changed but the drivers and the system hasn't. So now's the chance, go for the source. My sympathy goes to the few drivers who care and give a good service.

simon deguara

Jul 17th 2008, 19:47

Of course the adt is fearing liberization!! Considering the service monopoly is the only way the company has to keep going. Why dont they focus on how to teach some manners to their drivers instead of losing all that money on useless strikes. i'm sure all the people who use public transport know exactly what i'm talking about. Competition is healthy, and the best thing for consumers so shut the hell up and get to work!!!!!!!

A.E. Camilleri

Jul 17th 2008, 19:01

This strike has possibly been an eye-opener to what we all hope will be a long-awaited exercise in getting a DECENT bus service, a respectable taxi service, and a much better mini bus team. GET IT DONE, MINISTER. PLEASE! It will all make our country a much better place to live in. Remember, the environment issue too. Uncalled for trouble, as has been witnessed recently, should not be tolerated at any stage in future.

spiteri john

Jul 17th 2008, 17:54

further to previous comments, apart from revoking these thug's licenses, lay down a set of rules for all of them including daily shaves, wearing a uniform with ties, no hairy chests, tattoos and massive gold chains and necklaces on display and send them back to kindergarten to try and learn some decent manners. Maybe that could be a good start. everything has been liberalised in this country so why not their professions?

J. Martinelli

Jul 17th 2008, 17:28

@ F Spiteri

Either you cannot read or you need to be spoon fed.

My comment was regarding people like you who want it both ways but always promoting anything against the government.

You are in the absolute minority to a point that you should be ignored. The only reason I am responding to your usual garbage is because you mentioned my name.

The vast majority of contributors in blogs too numerous to count are against the driver/operators of the buses and the pitiful service (if one can call it that) they provide. Some, like you are trying to politicize the issue but like many others who are as offended by the bus owners and their Federation as I am, are only expressing our personal opinions. We do not envy Austin Gatt's or the Prime Minister's jobs at the moment but we are gratified that instead of 'par idejn sodi' we have 'zewg par idejn sodi'.

Besides, did I not read, a few days ago that Joseph also agrees with the government regarding liberalization? Are you not contradicting Joseph's views?

Who is betraying who? The government or the recipients of cash to buy buses and subsidies for fuel?

Paul Agius

Jul 17th 2008, 17:17

If the fines are not withdrawn or the subsidy given back in full, rest assured the Government will have to compensate with large sums (as he did with the hearses), maybe with the excuse to restructure the service and help us prepare for competition. As such, those who dare enter the sector will be at a disadvantage from the start.

You say you want competition, but don't realize its big price for a small country like Malta. Consider for an example the many bathroom outlets in Malta - their large number suppose to bring competition but instead it brings even higher prices for they have to increase the price to make it till the end of day.

To finish, if you want to say goodbye to monopolies and to government subsidies, then you must make up for higher tariff prices. May God open your minds and make you reasonable for the benefit of everyone, especially for those who do not own a car or prefer using the more efficient public transport that the inefficient private cars for the benefit of the environment, amongst others.

DVella

Jul 17th 2008, 17:06

Now that IS good news . . . makes a change to see proper justice being served to these thugs!! Incidentally, it should not stop there, ALL those morons who shashed up other people's property, apprehended tourists against their will, beat up honest workers for trying to do their job or broke the law in any way should have their licences PERMANENTLY revoked!! There is no place for uncivilised barbaric behaviour and thuggery in our society!!

J.Buhagiar

Jul 17th 2008, 16:36

@ J. Martinelli

I did not wish to support F. Spiteri. There is element of truth in what he says. Some pretend to be expert in anything & everything.

I just hope Martinelli never become prime minister. It’s a virtue that Gonzi & Austin would never consider the practices suggested. Politicians of 20 years ago were of the weaker kind. Anger prevailed. There are much more and better diplomatic ways to get results.

The behaviour/attitude of bus owners is understandable (not acceptable.)

Over a period of 20 years, Austin helped them replace the busses financially. He also financing their licences or so I read. Bus fares were allowed to be increased periodically. The Police / Wardens prefer not to address the busses that most clearly do not conform with emission regulations in front of their own eyes even at the Valletta Bus Terminus. Genuine fuel is expensive.

And what did ALL OF US get in return.
Which means that they pocketed the added value themselves.
This is what they learned.

Time passed. Everything needs to be liberalised. Austin cannot deliver it - EU regulations. Never thought they would be elected either. So now he has to face the music.

Diplomatically!

F Spiteri

Jul 17th 2008, 16:34

Chris Sammut:
"Without taking sides I could safely say that this is not a political issue.". What??????
Are you aware of what triggered all this chaos? I repeat that the drivers dealt with the issue the wrong way and they should have been dealing with the government from whom they felt betrayed and NOT breaching the law as they had been doing.
But as Phil Collins say: WE ALWAYS NEED TO HEAR BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY.
As always, PN dictated an indefinite number of promises, wanting to win the election "at all costs" as Joe Saliba himself once said when asked why he backed Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando about the Mistra Scandal"
You know what bothers me most? That the "at all costs" are only costs which we, citizens and unfortunate taxpayers, have to make good for throughout the 5 years that follow.

Karl Mercieca

Jul 17th 2008, 16:02

@ Chris Sammut :

Well said.
However, it IS a political issue. (Or rather, a pseudo-political issue... *wink*)

Charles Camilleri

Jul 17th 2008, 15:55

The actions taken by the police are TOO LATE AND TOO LITTLE. Why the vehicles not been impounded in the first place. How is it possible that only 17 drivers were booked when we saw much more resisting the police, attacking the police and doing all sort of unlawful things. Had the police been prepared for the job, the people would not have been made to suffer all this. Finally we hope that no pardon is given to these thugs during any negotiations that will take place.

Francis Libre

Jul 17th 2008, 15:38

Hi Joe Martinelli..nice to see you back putting Malta to right's an' all,strangely enough I missed you these last few days:-) All we need now is the desperate housewife..she's not in Canada by any chance is she?....lol

Alexander Grima

Jul 17th 2008, 15:37

One thing has certainly left an impression on me following this 3-day ordeal our country had to endure … How many in number took an active role in this industrial act of terrorism? They must have ran in their hundreds, maybe even a thousand or so … But they must all have loved ones yes? People close to them who guide them, support them when right and implore them when wrong. Wives, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, friends, etc … Do all these people agree that what happened recently was justified? I for one would have my loved ones all over me if I had to decide to behave in such manners. Is this what our country has come to? Vandalize trees if we can’t hunt, burn cars when immigrants land on our shores, vandalize monuments seemingly just for ‘fun’, and mobilize a nation cause we won’t admit we can’t give a better service?

Renato J. Costigan

Jul 17th 2008, 15:34

My suggestion to the Prime Minister and Minister Dr. Austin Gatt.

Either they commence work within the next 24hours or all their licenses

will be WITHDRAWN immediately.

At least the fines will do good for the amount of fuel consumed by the Police.

mario camilleri

Jul 17th 2008, 15:20

I wonder if I can sue the government for all the public transport reforms that he promised me? over 20 years of promises of a better service which never materialised. all we get are price hikes but still with junk buses.why the government does not have the guts to revoke their licenses? some bloggers are urging the gov to use drastic measures and to be more harsh. what kind of drastic measures are you suggesting?? unfortunately we have a government who always promised everything to everyone to win votes...but i must say that we elect the government that we deserve!!!

Chris Sammut

Jul 17th 2008, 15:17

J Martinelli

it is useless being violent with violent people. Ignorance is a battle Napoleon never won... At the end of the day, what goes around comes around. There will be a time when they will feel the repercussions of their actions. They too have families to feed, so ultimately they need to work. Let us not be destructive. once an open market is introduced then they will have the opportunity to compete like with like. Shape up or ship out....

Martin Rossignaud

Jul 17th 2008, 15:12

Hope that the appropriate fines will be issued for each and every offence the taxi/bus/mini vans drivers will have committed during the course of the strike and that full unconditional payment is collected forthwith failing which withdrawal of their respective licences will apply. Needless to say those arrainged should have their licence revoked permanently without any if's and but's. The sooner the much talked about reform is finalized and implemented the better for the country, all of us and the tourists who are being continuously ripped off.

Chris Sammut

Jul 17th 2008, 15:07

Ahh, every thing boils down to politics.. Without taking sides I could safely say that this is not a political issue. What has been decided by the government has to be done for the benefit of all. The rioting was caused because certain individuals are not capable of communicating diplomatically. They simply enjoy the 'BUZZ' of the adventure, an excuse to vent out their anger caused by a repressed lifestyle of ignorance. This incident could have been avoided. IF YOU ARE ANGRY.. GO RUN A MILE OR TWO.. but do not let it out on us innocent bystanders...

F Spiteri

Jul 17th 2008, 14:37

Hi J Martinelli:
Just to remind you that up till yesterday, you were sarcastically saying: "Isn't this typical? All of a sudden everyone has become a prime minister, a minister of justice, a police commissioner, etc...!"

Reading your own comment I could vow that you are now fed up like the rest of Malta and you are becoming "a prime minister, a minister of justice, a police commissioner, etc...!"

First and foremost, welcome back to Malta, J Martinelli.

Now, you failed to mention that one could become the minister of transport. I know why!!! It is such a hot seat, ey! The PN is paying the price of pre-electoral promises ... or else, to be more correct, the TAX PAYERS are due to pay the price of PN's pre-electoral promises. To all taxpers: You are about to pay the drivers a compensation to ease a bit the GonziPN's uncomfort.

The issue should have been directly with the government, if the drivers believe they were betrayed!

M Borg

Jul 17th 2008, 14:29

Get the AFM on the road! They deserve that treatment!

S. Grech

Jul 17th 2008, 14:27

When the service gets back to normal will there still be drivers like the one who forced my 84 year old mum to get off the bus 4 stops before she was due to come off because she was the only one on the bus?

Corinne Vella

Jul 17th 2008, 13:54

Fine. Now what happens when 'service' gets back to 'normal' and children are driven around unsupervised in crowded vans without seatbelts? And when buses run 'normally' blocking roads while they pick up passengers, rather than pulling into bus bays? And when white taxi drivers tout their services as usual making leering comments at passersby?

H Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 13:53

That's the spirit ... keep handing them tickets as long as they keep striking. They have no right now to protest since their main objective has left them on their own to face the one million euro court case for damages. ANd much more will folow.

carmelo briffa

Jul 17th 2008, 13:45

I wish to say Bravo to the Maltese Police Com. but sorry I cannot , why? of course he had plenty time to putting tickets , removing of unlawfully parked vehicles, arresting the not just seventeen but the lot of them.....l then I will say Bravo Rizzo

J. Martinelli

Jul 17th 2008, 13:33

The fines will do little to tame these rabid strikers - suspension of permits for lengthy periods will.
This illegal strike has gone long enough and now we are entering the dubious zone - where government soft reaction will start to annoy the masses.
All the support which Austin Gatt and the government have been given can reverse itself like a flip of a switch.
These illegal strikers are not terribly impressed by policemen with notebook and pen in hand. They will be more attentive if equal violence against them and their vehicles is used as they had meted out to innocent bus drivers and ferry captains who tried to provide an emergency service.
If Dr. Gatt had warned that no meetings would be held unless the strike is ended, then he should now stick to his own dictum, mediator or not. There is nothing to mediate. I would like to know how and when the daily penalty imposed on the Transport Federation will be collected, if possible at all.
Unless drastic action is taken now, the same scenes will be repeated.
Perhaps the Prime Minister and Minister Gatt should address the nation and update the public.

Ganni Mifsud

Jul 17th 2008, 13:27

One of the truth in this strike is that there's no management at all in the police force. Can someone answer this question? How many hours have the police worked? I know that is is their duty but still they are not slaves, yesterday I met some officers in the morning and when i left work after 10 hours they were the same officers I met before. The problem was that I worked those 10 hours in an office with the ac on and with a comfortable chair and these officers did 10 hours on their feet in the sun.

Carmel Bayliss

Jul 17th 2008, 13:02

Thank God that the Police are taking action against these people. Who do they think they are? Who runs our country? Certainly not them. They should be made to pay for every damage they have done including loss of wages by employees working in sectors effected by this illegitimate strike.

They have tarnished our reputation with tourists and it will take time to fix things. They are fully responsible for the damages and it was right that the six federations took action. Let's hope that common sense will prevail.

Heads up for Minister Austin Gatt. He has shown them that the government will not tolerate stupidities and interruptions.

Joe Tabone

Jul 17th 2008, 13:00

Only 17?

mario degiorgio

Jul 17th 2008, 12:53

Is n't it too late in the day now? Are the police trying to make up for their complete inefficiency?
Were they afraid from these thugs ? Let's see the Police Commissioner resign!

Dr.Emmy Bezzina, LL.D.,B.A.,Dip.S.Th.,

Jul 17th 2008, 12:48

The People have spoken: only small percentages away from the 100% figure, The Political Sovereign has decreed in favour of LIBERALISATION and the People mean business now,because this is our Country and no ONE - NO ONE - will be tolerated to have any Monopoly over The People and their Country.This will not relate only to Public Transport but to the illegal usurpation of public land,assets,facilities by speculators,avaricious business people,self-interested politicians....ALL MUST RETURN TO THE PEOPLE in their vociferous democratic cry for LIBERALISATION. Arrogance,Bullying,Ministerial References,Violence...all this must go through enforcement.There you go,Mr.PrimeMinister,despite your Minority Government,the Liberal Democratic People of my country want a clean sweep of an ominously dirty slate:scrap the Public Transport ASSOCIATION - initiate a Brand New Organization - the State will invest and reap the Rewards through Liberalisation with everyone on an equal footing,then those who work harder,reap the benefits,but in the light of pure competition,though always on an equal footing.All those involved in the autcratic conspiracy against the State and its People must be brought to Justice,their Licences immediately suspended pending proceedings in accordance with The Rule of Law & the Market liberalised with immediate effect.No negotiations please: Alpha Liberal!

C.Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 12:45

Who will end up paying the fines?? The government most probably at the end of the day! I don't suppose the federation has millions of euros :) !

Joseph Agius

Jul 17th 2008, 12:42

I apologize if i doubted the way Government was handling the matter. Well done!

Andrew Grech

Jul 17th 2008, 12:41

Dear Police Force

We (the educated general public) are all behind you. Keep up the good work, don't get intimidated, anzi...be more harsh. You are the authority and no cowboy has the right to take the law in his hands.

The next step should be to withdraw al their licences and make them reapply under new stricter conditions. Those who caused unrest should have their licences revoked for good.

We (the Maltese public and the tourist) need cleaner buses (inside and out), educated drivers and a reliable and efficient service (timely). These drivers have been getting away with murder for too long.

Peter Xuereb

Jul 17th 2008, 12:37

I would have hoped that the vehicles that blocked the roads would have been towed away and impounded. I am pretty sure that if I left *my* car in the middle of the road, it would be.

What makes a taxi, minibus or bus any different? ... besides the drivers' potential reactions, that is! Is the law not for everybody?

TONY FORMOSA

Jul 17th 2008, 12:29

* Apart from the blockage of Floriana the Police seem to be doing their work. They would do better with better equipment, less marching and unnecessary parades.

TONY FORMOSA

TONY FORMOSA