Old buses will be exempt from new testing procedures, AD says

A significant number of buses are not roadworthy and will not be undergoing the new emissions testing procedures, Alternattiva Demokratika said yesterday.

The statement comes in the wake of a government statement last week saying that 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. AD believes some old buses may be used on tourist or scenic routes, but should be refitted with modern and cleaner engines. The Green Party suggested that old buses should be repainted in their original village colours dating back some 40 years and transferred to a transport museum.

"The argument that emission tests should be lenient because over a third of the fleet is old defeats the whole purpose of such an exercise," Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for transport, said.

"Old buses, or at least bus engines which fail today's stricter standards, should be written off and replaced. The public deserves a modern, comfortable and efficient system and the government should stop giving in to those who want to preserve the status quo at the expense of our quality of life."