Transport Federation denies agreeing to liberalisation

J Farrugia

Jul 25th 2008, 07:53

mr josef grech, if you are running a service at a loss, y ou know what to do.... close shop. Like the drydocks. But no you are sitting pretty getting the subsidies for your new buses, getting a guaranteed income, what more do you want, the pants? No Mr grech, your ilk are nothing more than a bunch of thugs and you are making the few decent bus operators look like your pals who are in jail right now. The Maltese people will not have more of it. Next time you strike, as your idiotic leader is trying to do, the army will be ready for you and your sevices will be nationalised in the public interest. And what was yours worth è200,000 will only be worth chickenfeed. That's the way you want it, that is the way you'll get it.

DVella

Jul 25th 2008, 01:27

The Transport Federation can deny whatever it likes . . . come to that it may say whatever it likes because quite frankly nobody gives a toss! Who cares what a federation that condones violence, illegal industrial actions and thuggish behaviour says?? The Maltese public are fed up of them and its about time they woke up to the fact that the vast majority of the people despise them, their behaviour, their action and the lousy service that they provide!! Public transport is there to serve the needs of the people not the outrageous expectations of a bunch of thugs!

J Martiinelli

Jul 24th 2008, 19:54

I am trying to understand your arguments, Mr. Grech.

The first one was that you were not consulted but the liberalization issue was discussed by the committee. I ask, which committee? How can a committee discuss something on your behalf and not inform you?

Various administrations ran the service TOO CHEAP FOR TOO LONG, you said. Were these not the subsidies paid to you which kept the fares low for so long?

If owners would have been allowed to charge properly for the service, then you would not have required government assistance to buy new ones - another quote of yours. Then, what was the purpose of the strike when, liberalization would give you that opportunity? Is it the case that all of you really misunderstood the concept?

The public will never stand for the same low level of service you provided while paying more, but I almost tend to agree that most expect something for nothing and will probably complain if fares go up even if the level of service improves substantially.

Your Mr. Spiteri's attitude stinks and you would do much better if he were to refrain from threatening another strike.

Passengers have boycotting rights too, you know.

Denis Catania

Jul 24th 2008, 19:21

@Josef Grech Why didn't the Federation take a full page add in every newspaper in Malta. Explaining what you just said. Instead you guys went out attacking Castille, going to the minister's house instead of his office. Attacking anyone who participated in Malta's emergency plan and so on.
Sorry we are ready to meet this angel we don't know, in place of the devil that tried to cripple us with indimidations and violence. SORRY

Josef Grech

Jul 24th 2008, 18:39

Well, another thing that’s sure is that the Nationalist Govt. knows exactly what moves to make and the tactics to use to achieve his aim and for this I must give them praise. Having the backing of the public opinion, and given that the Federation was more than capable of putting herself to the ropes, there was nothing more to do for the Minister than attack, but you out there that form part of such opinion and are in favour of this nice picture called liberalisation, be aware that when the right time comes you will find such administration using her tactics once again and then you will soon recognize that “Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t” as you will be made to pay for the services which today you believe are unsatisfactory!

Josef Grech

Jul 24th 2008, 18:39

People think that new buses were subsidised. If we were to have the right income from our business we would have been able to replace our buses ourselves, but the truth is that we have always been kept running our services TOO CHEAP FOR TOO LONG!! Whatever service you can think of, whom do you think pays for the tools that are needed to produce such service? The consumer for sure!! So why shouldn’t it be like that when public transport is dealt with? Does it make sense that finally it is the customer that has to pay for new buses?
This strike was timed in such a way as to provide the Govt. with the best excuse to elude the public’s opinion from the real problems the Country is facing such as the 95% fuel surcharge. Never did Dr. Gatt mention that running our services has seen exorbitant increases in costs due to fuel prices as by saying so he would have put back people thinking on that track.

Josef Grech

Jul 24th 2008, 18:38

Being a Transport operator, my opinion is that if I was consulted before such actions took place without any doubt I would have not agreed to it. This, I believe is the attitude the majority of members would have taken, but unfortunately this matter was only discussed internally between the committee.
One thing is sure though. Finally, after several years of running our business without direction in an environment that is characterised and surrounded by uncertainty, doubt, and indecision, the Ministry has announced his ambitious plans. After several administrators that kept us running our services TOO CHEAP FOR TOO LONG, now the Ministry says that liberalisation is the way to attract private investment in the sector. Dr. Gatt knows far too well that our income can’t sustain our activity in a way as to be able to re-invest in rolling stock. Then he says we oppose change! Surely I don’t, but did the present administration prepare us financially so as to be able to face challenges that are being put in front of us?

michael seychell

Jul 24th 2008, 18:09

It is evident that Victor Spiteri his Association and the new Federation, h ve not accepted yet the fact that the Minister responsible for Transport today is Dr. Austin Gatt.

The comparison between Dr. Gatt and Lorry Sant stops only in the fact that both ministers are known to prefer solving a problem by taking the bull by the horn, rather than sweeping it under the carpet.

As a person who have worked under both Ministers I can assure Victor that one Minister would pass over his brother to achieve his aim, even if this is not in the country's interest, as he did in my case over the GWU/MLP fusion, whilst Dr. Gatt would insist on his aim after having considered and assured himself that such aim is in the interest of the country.

Finally I suggest that Minister Gatt give a good look to the document issued by the Public Transport Authority entitled The Way Ahead. Had the Authority at that time found the political will being demonstrated by Minister Gatt, I am certain that Public Transport in Malta would have implemented most of the suggestions being made now.


Michael Seychell

Joe Tabone-Adami

Jul 24th 2008, 15:48

Mr Victor Spiteri and Co.
After reading to-day's comments and those of the past 10 days you now know what you can do with your statement.

George Curmi

Jul 24th 2008, 15:17

it is clear that Mr. Spiteri and thethugs have not learned a thing from their recent crime spree. Malta is fed up with thugs and their version of public transport.

If the government, and the Minister, are unwilling to act decisively now that they have the support of an overwhelming majority of the people, they never will. Strike while the iron is hot is how the old saying goes - or in Maltese "Il-ftira sħuna tajba." This is the time for action not for meaningless gestures of graciousness in victory. The country will thank you for it.

It is time to make these thugs understand that they can't get away with their reprehensible actions. The minister should immediately and permanently revoke their licences to operate - after all, those licences belong to the State not to the operators. Then get the AFM to operate the service until a new public transportation system, publicly owned and operated by a state agency, is created to provide a decent, clean, efficient, and reliable service.

J. Martinelli

Jul 24th 2008, 13:47

If Minister Austin Gatt did not quite s-p-e-l-l it out, the public certainly has!

The government did well not to continue to give money for new buses since the new buses would have been driven by the same thugs who, whether they drive a new bus or an old heap, still do not know, or worse, do not want to provide good, reliable and courteous service to their clients.

It is not a case of what the government wants, it is what over 90% of the whole population wants and, guess what Mr. Victor Spiteri, the public deserves and expects its elected government to deliver. The Transport Federation is in no position to demand anything. It appears that only the bus drivers are opposed to anyone disturbing their little empire.

If you strike again, the government should have the AFM out on the FIRST day.

Minister Gatt, nationalize the buses, buy the owners out and pay them what their buses are physically appraised at. Then, make new applicants appear in front of a panel of ordinary businessmen who will select a new crew after careful screening.

Hopefully the violent bunch will be sifted out and replaced by qualified, respectable drivers.

Denis Catania

Jul 24th 2008, 13:43

I told you so. You can't negotiate with these guys.You raised your victory sign too soon.The only thing that scared them is the Armed Forces. I would take their buses and mini buses today and declared them not safe, and start with the service with the Armed Forces in a civilian uniform.
Triple digits arrests and kept our emergency plan going. That would have been a win.Back to square one. Same old buses, same old thugs and same poor Maltese that had to put up with this.
Police Commish John Rizzo should they go back out again. Do the right thing. So I can praise you instead of dissing you.

Joseph Agius

Jul 24th 2008, 13:40

It is amazing how Mr Victor Spiteri still has not learnt any lessons. If I was him I would have gone to a very long holiday and let someone professional run the transport federation.

Raphael Grech

Jul 24th 2008, 13:35

Dear Mr.Spiteri,
Your stand is far from obvious. No monopoly holder is ever going to accept liberalization and being in your position guess I would do the same....however please stop fighting a lost battle before loosing the war. Please stop being greedy. If commuters were happy with the service provided they would have backed you up to the full...which clearly is not the case. Just improve your service and you'll manage to keep your market share. In this country there's no place for second best any longer. Thankfully the Maltese are managing to build a successful nation and for sure you're to benefit too.

As for the seizure of illegally parked minibusses....Just thank those decision making people who still have some common sense and acted responsibly. If they reacted the same as your Federation did guess it could have been much worse for you! So please for the benefit of all Maltese and Tourists alike just do your job in a decent manner....and we'll back you up...but as things stand you're still at a loss...sorry mate!

B.Borg

Jul 24th 2008, 13:21

"rather than making proposals, it was calling for talks with the ministry".... to discuss the beautiful summer weather!!!!

Eric Psaila

Jul 24th 2008, 13:16

Dr Gatt
You have the mandate to govern. Just take over their buses and their permit, nationalise public transport and let us descent citizens carry on with our lives
Sorry Mr Spiteri you are neither the prime minister nor an authority. Public opinion is against you and the thugs. You should be grateful to Dr Gatt by the way you were treated by the police whilst you were on an illegal strike.

Joseph Stafrace

Jul 24th 2008, 12:56

If I am not mistaken the Minister was referring to an underground rail system as being not com mercially viable and not to a Tram system.

Noel Barry

Jul 24th 2008, 12:44

Mr Victor Spiteri, you must really be out of your mind to liken Austin Gatt to the late Lorry Sant. I ask you. Were thugs sent to beat your members? Don't think so. Did the SAG attack and use tear gas on your members? Don't think so. Did the police use force on your members? Dont' think so. So how can you liken one with the other. As far as I know the liberalisation decision was passed through cabinet, so it was not imposed by Austin Gatt.
I close by asking this. Does a federation have a right to order strikes or is it just a union who can do this.

Francois Spiteri

Jul 24th 2008, 12:37

it is not up to Victor Spiteri or his Federation to agree or not agree with liberalisation.. We taxpayers took the decision in 2003 when we said yes for joining the EU!

Andrew Gauci

Jul 24th 2008, 12:31

And here we go again!

Ruben A Xuereb

Jul 24th 2008, 12:30

May I please inform Mr. Spiteri that if if he thinks that the 8% increase in bus use has ANYTHING to do with decent service, he is badly mistaken....like in everything else he's been saying in the last days.
Thi increase is due to the ever increasing amount of immigrants using the buses. Everyday I have to stand up throughout most of my trip to work from Birzebbuga, as the bus is packed. Many other times I'm left waiting in the afternoon sun for more than 45minutes as buses 11,13 and 113 ( B'Bugia, Hal Far and a joint one) go out of VLT already full.
So please Mr. Spiteri....just shut up and let the tax payers enjoy the day your monopoly is over. On the other hand, you have nothing to fear, the numberillegal immigrants is increasing by the day...so you'll never run out of business !!!

M.Spiteri

Jul 24th 2008, 12:27

Oh, so that's where it's all coming from and by any chance - did the bus drivers trying to assault castille, bring back vague memories of thugs in the streets? I think it was this mob who drove inspiration from Lorry Sant's antics than Austin Gatt. Give us a break Mr. Spiteri!