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."
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joe morana
Sep 1st 2008, 15:14
It seems tome that the Malta Standards Authority and ADT were "too generous" with offending bus owners and quite "mean" with the public. This at t the expense of public health? What does the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Health has to say on this issue?
We do not want "generosity" from either of these authorities, but DEMAND that they fulfil their duties diligently without fears or favours.
Joe Grima
Sep 1st 2008, 15:09
What a perverse way of dealing with problems such as emissions from old buses. If this is the way our administrators are now solving probelms , I shudder to think how they will deal with much more serious issues that may affect us all on a national level. As stated by others, skipping testing , because many won't pass , makes a farce of EU standards to which we are entitled as an EU state.
Where did Alternattiva get this information from anyway? The last thing we read about smoking buses was a statement by Government suggesting more rigid tests for pre-1979 engines, not skipping the test. Clearer vision required on this issue before we accept that Alternattiva is telling the whole truth.
J Oatmon
Sep 1st 2008, 13:45
It is just plain daft exlcuding old buses from polution testing - because they will most likely fail. The tests are designed to remove the polluters from the roads of Malta not to give them protection from the law!
Also it is most probably against EU regulations to discriminate in favour of the polluter, at the expense of the public.
Alexander Cortis
Sep 1st 2008, 13:19
I agree with M. Tabone. Pension them off, restore and polish them up and put them in a museum. While living abroad, many people who had returned from holidaying in Malta said they liked the old buses best of all, even if they were bone crushers, or bum crushers, or sometimes worse than that, but they were unique. But not for riding in!
With regard to emissions, ALL buses should undergo the exact same test. No favours and no favouritisms!
Mario Zammit
Sep 1st 2008, 13:15
Joining the EU is turning out to be just a sham. When it comes to taking steps in the right direction (i.e. by EU standards), the govenment resorts to some pathetic strategem to keep things going on 'Made in Malta'. Shame on a party who professes to be the vanguard of EU ideals. Just look at our roads. Testaferrata Street, The Stand, Naxxar Road etc have lain in a shameful state for decades on end with no urgent remedial action being taken. EU my foot!
Joseph Galea
Sep 1st 2008, 12:36
What strange reasoning!
Enact a law to cut down on emissions, but then exempt those vehicles that are sure to fail the set standards!
Get the old buses off the road and let's get serious!
Joseph Attard
Sep 1st 2008, 11:31
First I cannot understand how does an engine manufactured before 1979 can still be running today. So most probably these 'old' buses have newer engines for sure. The new Chinese buses are not that environmentally friendly either. According to their operators they consume more fuel than the old ones.
C.Debono
Sep 1st 2008, 11:12
I dont think there is anything wrong with the old bus engines.
It's the fuel they use that makes them smoke !!
M. Tabone
Sep 1st 2008, 10:35
I sincerely hope that a Trasport Museum be set up to house retired old but beautiful buses..........and not scrap them as I heard and even worse dump them in sea!!! This museum could make good revenue by attracting a special type of toursits to the Island. We usually take them for granted but these buses have long been extinct from Europe and toursists are attracted to them............pls note!!
A. Camilleri
Sep 1st 2008, 09:53
For goodness sake, let's please get this exercise over and done with, once and for all. ALL the buses should pass the same test, and not just the so-called newer ones only. The 'older' ones should strongly be considered for complete removal, if need be, but let's not play the fool, and have these circulate our roads, with all that dirty stuff coming out of their exhaust. I honestly feel that, if this AD contribution is correct and factual, then it certainly has some very good food for thought. Let's get serious though! We just cannot take these oldies any longer!
Andreana Zammit
Sep 1st 2008, 09:52
To true. I find it a little strange how the buses which pollute the most are to be exempt. It defeats the whole purpose of the testing! Another farce from Malta. We pretend to do good.................but not really.
So so sad.
John Muscat
Sep 1st 2008, 09:51
I agree totaly with what Mr Ralph Cassar had to say, but he should also include all lorries and cars on the Maltese roads, the quicker the better because we all deserve cleaner air to breath when walking and cycling.
E Serracino-Inglott
Sep 1st 2008, 09:22
I totally agree! What's the point of emissions test if you decide not to test the bad engines?