Fines all round for 101 bus drivers

A hundred and one bus drivers were yesterday fined €70 each after collectively admitting to operating a tourist service for which they were not licensed.

Victor Spiteri, president of the Transport Association, appeared in court on their behalf to register their guilty pleas, even though he protested against the charges and said the matter would be taken to the European courts.

The cases revolves around a service the bus owners offered to tourists last summer without having a special licence for such an unscheduled service.

According to Mr Spiteri, the bus drivers increased the number of routes during summer because of the large influx of English school students waiting on the bus stops.

He said he would be taking this case to the European courts after pointing out that it was senseless how the Public Transport Authority (ADT) had taken action against the drivers for increasing the service because of the demand.

"After all it is in the interest of the government that we offer a better service to tourists".

He added that the association had sent the extra buses to the areas where the concentration of students was greatest, trying to keep up with the demand.

A further 160 bus drivers will appear in court to face the same charges in the coming days.