MSA confirms bus emission testing methods
Stiffer test for post 1979 engines
The Malta Standards Authority has confirmed, with minor changes, the emission tests being carried out on route buses, the Transport Ministry said today.
The MSA had been invited to assess the methods employed for the tests following agreement between the ministry and the Public Transport Association. Disagreement over the tests had led the association to threaten industrial action.
The ministry said, that in confirming the tests, the MSA also found that the Malta Transport Authority was being "too generous" by applying the least rigid test. Therefore, buses which have engines built after 1979 will henceforth undergo the more rigid test applicable to the newer engines.
The MSA also recommended that all buses should have a functioning rev counter so as to solve the problems raised when somebody who is not the driver is required to control the vehicles under test.
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Joe Morana
Aug 28th 2008, 14:33
Why this half -baked measure? Scared of stepping on offending bus owners toes again? Why should we put up with hazardous polluting vehicles? I am confident that whilst the public (tax payers) do not expect the Ministry responsible for Transport and ADT to be "too genorous", in its regard, the public however DESERVES and DEMANDS appropriate protection from the Ministry for Transport and from the Malta Transport Authority.
Anne Marie Kissaun
Aug 28th 2008, 13:54
I very much agree with Mr. Ch Spiteri. Petrol Stations should be checked every so often to make sure that the petrol is not being mixed. Scrap all the old buses, bring on new ones and from there on VRT should take place more often and with a specialised inspector surveying the job and if the bus has not been thoroughly checked, simply because there was some backhanders, then both the person doing the VRT and the inspector should be given a hefty fine or suspension for a year together with the bus driver if he was involved. This should not only stop with buses, but with all the vehicles roaming our streets.
Joanne Micallef
Aug 28th 2008, 13:40
I agree completely with E Azzopardi, he's said it all. .
Noel Enriquez
Aug 28th 2008, 13:39
Shhhhh be careful dear government, you are messing with the bus drivers again! Obviously it's the bus drivers/owners who run the country because they won the last election! So hush hush, quietly try to think of something to make them happy. GET A GRIP! Why is our government so scared to introduce legislation and implement it? Who runs our country, the government, or a large group of thugs who went out on a violent spree bothering everyone when new hearse licences were granted? No wonder public transport in Malta is a second option to all when these rowdy individuals are left to act as they please, and we must adhere to their liking! Regulation = control, Control= discipline, discipline= better service!! The law is there for all to behold, no beating round the bush. If the bus fails exhaust tests the bus should be removed from our streets until it is in line with regulations, full stop (now we've reached the terminus of my argument,.. ejja inzlu!)!!!
E. Azzopardi
Aug 28th 2008, 12:50
Why are we still talking about this? There are the law and EU regulations ( this is our fifth year now in the EU) Why has it taken us so long to enforce the law. And please do not talk only about buses. There are other large and new vehicles which do not conform with the law.
It is there for for all to see. Everybody sees this accept those who should!!!
It is useless just leaving it to the VRT. Frequest spot checks should take place on the roads.
Just fining the buses €40 is a joke. We are talking about the health of the people here. It is
useless building a Mater Dei. We need prevention. I am afraid we shall keep talking about this and issue some press release here and there so that the people say '' See, they are doing something about it''. NO nothing has been done about it up till now. The citizens of this ''pretty little island'' demand that the authorities look after everybody's health. I thought that HEALTH was no 1 on their agenda. Up till now, they have failed miserably.
Joe Borg
Aug 28th 2008, 12:12
Along similar lines, why are the trucks of a BIG construction contractor not being given emission tests but are waived away when some personnel are around and they notice the name of the owning contractor. Definitely weak with the strong!!
John Azzopardi
Aug 28th 2008, 11:51
What the EU standards require must apply. There should be no tweaking so that bus owners are not offended. Whose interests is the MSA and ministry protecting? The bus owners' or the public's?
s. micallef
Aug 28th 2008, 11:47
THEY SHOULD CHECK PETROL STATION AS WELL diesel is not the same it is being mixed with bio with no doubt and being sold at the same price? as regular diesel fuel what a scam!!
Ch Spiteri
Aug 28th 2008, 11:27
So now we have the older buses emitting fumes. Those that release fumes most are now law abiding. Is that fair??. My car is relatively new , but what about those pre-79 are they to be excused as well or 2 weights 2 measures?? - I am totally against all this crap- either the buses are up to scratch or they should be scraped or engine replaced.