Ministry orders probe of school transport fees

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has asked the Office for Fair Competition to investigate complaints of steep increases in school transport fees.

The Finance Ministry said Mr Fenech had noted complaints about transport costs made in the media over recent days.

Transport operators have argued that prices have had to rise because of higher diesel costs and a requirement that all schoolchildren use a seat belt, meaning that small children cannot share seats.

Some van owners said they had to actually fit seat belts.

Five months ago, the minister had ordered an inquiry into the cost of school uniforms, books, and stationery. The outcome is still pending.

Labour's education spokesman Evarist Bartolo said it was ridiculous to order an investigation now, when it was known for months that the cost of school transport would rise by at least 15 per cent.

This showed the government was insensitive to the financial difficulties faced by parents, he said.