Reform public transport immediately, AD insists

Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday welcomed the proposed public transport reform but said that 2015 was too far away.

AD's spokesman on transport, Ralph Cassar, said that reform on the bus system should start immediately. Two years at most should be enough for a total overhaul and for the introduction of a harbour area water-bus system. The taxi service could also be liberalised immediately. Carmel Cacopardo, spokes-man on sustainable development, warned that if the only aim of the reform was profit, it was sure to fail.

Public transport required heavy investment, which was worthwhile because the country would gain from reduced road congestion, a better quality of life for all and less dependence on imported fuel.

It would also mean that more zones could be pedestrianised and given back to the public.

AD chairman Arnold Cassola said that public transport should be a priority. A good system would improve the environment and provide alternatives to costly private transport.

Comments

DVella (on 25/7/08)

Immediately is a little ambitious . . . but on the whole I do agree (for once) with AD that 2015 is just too damn far away. After all the state of what passes for public transport in Malta is so mediocre that no public transport at all would be a marked improvement. Oh, and incidentally, before anyone takes me to task for saying that, just bear in mind that Malta's air quality on the 14th, 15th and 16th of July was markedly better and cleaner than it has ever been in the last two decades. All that hype about using public transport to save the environment and reduce pollution is a load of bovine excrement because the 'public transport' in Malta produces more pollution on its own than a hundred thousand cars and that is a conservative estimate!

C Calleja (on 24/7/08)

I would stop using my car in a hearthbeat if public transport was efficient !! I'm sure my feeling is shared by many many others!

Adrian Camilleri (on 24/7/08)

I fully agree with AD this time round. Get this long-standing problem solved ASAP, together with all that goes with it, including the Valletta bus terminus, please. If all concerned were to stick to a strict plan of action, then the whole issue might be realised by the target date. But stick to the plan of action. With the co-operation and understanding of all concerned Malta stands to gain immensely by such a plan.