Stiffer emissions tests for newer buses

Route buses with engines manufactured after 1979 will have to undergo more rigid emissions tests following an assessment of the testing methods carried out by the Malta Standards Authority (MSA).

On the whole the authority gave its seal of approval to the tests, the Transport Ministry said yesterday.

But it found that the Malta Transport Authority was being "too generous" by applying the least rigid test.

Therefore, buses with engines manufactured after 1979 will, from now on, have to undergo the more rigid test applicable to the newer engines.

Buses and heavy vehicles are notorious in Malta for emitting heavy exhaust fumes, known to be highly hazardous to health. The Sunday Times also reported that the quality of smoke emissions on the road point to the use of a harmful mix of diesel and light heating oil.

The authority, in its report, proposed that drivers should be given information sessions about the effect of emissions on society.

The MSA also recommended that all buses should have a functioning rev counter so as to solve the problems raised when somebody, other than the driver, is required to control the vehicles under test. This was one of the bones of contention with bus owners during the recent strike.

The authority had been invited to assess the methods employed for the tests following an agreement between the ministry and the Public Transport Association.

A dispute over the tests had led the association to threaten industrial action.

Yesterday, the president of the Public Transport Association (PTA), Victor Spiteri insisted that the way the testing was done was incorrect. In a letter to the Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Communication, Austin Gatt, Mr Spiteri said that the problem was not related to the quality of fuel but the method of testing used by the transport authority officials and at VRT stations.

He explained that three tests were carried out. The first was to rev the engine to 1000rpm, the second to 2000rpm and the third to 3000rpm. However, diesel engines in Malta do not go over 2700rpm, he argued.

"How can you take the last reading, when the engine has been over revved? An over revved engine will obviously emit more exhaust."

Mr Spiteri also said that this test is working against all owners of heavy vehicles, because not only is it causing damage to the engines but such a problem should have been picked up especially since the tests have been devised specifically for Malta.

He said he could guarantee that no heavy engine in Malta reaches 3000rpm,unlike the case abroad.