Meetings with transport operators put off

(Adds statement on hearses)

Meetings due to have been held today between the Transport Ministry and associations representing public transport operators were put off following a request by the associations, informed sources said.

The meetings were to have been held with representatives of the minibus and taxi owners to discuss liberalisation and the granting of new licences in those sectors.

The meetings are expected to be held next week.

Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry said today that following a decision by the Finance Ministry and as agreed with the Malta Motor Hearses Association, the importation of new hearses will be exempt from registration tax up to March 2009.

Anybody who wishes to licence a hearse is free to follow the procedures followed as for all other vehicles. There are no restrictions on number.

No registration of second hand hearses will be accepted for the next 10 years.