Public transport reforms: The next stage

The public transport reforms bus left the terminus several months ago and has now reached a stage nearer its final destination: a public transport system that is liberalised, convenient, environmentally friendly and affordable to the vast majority of both Maltese and tourists.

Recent developments relate to measures aimed to enforce regulations in taxi operations. While taxi drivers have complained that the measures announced by the Transport Ministry are draconian, one can understand the regulator's concern to have rules that are not only fair to both the owners and users of taxis but also enforceable. Most of us have experienced disappointments where good regulations supporting public services are rendered ineffective by lack of enforcement.

One needs only look at the comments and recommendations contained in certain travel guides about Malta to note the embarrassing remarks about how expensive it is to use taxis here, for example. The proposed new fares seem reasonable and should help to make the use of taxis more affordable also to the locals. Of course, it all depends on the service rendered.

The more extensive reforms on the public bus service go further. They are aimed to ensure that this service is used more extensively by travellers who would be lured to leave their cars at home and use public transport. It is impressive that, while the European average for usage of private transport is 40 per cent, the average here is as high as 80 per cent.

Bus owners are so far unsupportive of the announced reforms. It is clear the EU will not accept any preferential treatment being given to the present bus operators and owners when the public transport service is liberalised and open to tenders. The government has reiterated its commitment to compensate the present bus owners as a result of their EU decision.

But, more important, the Minister of Transport has clearly confirmed that bus owners have no right to veto the proposed reforms. These reforms will make a step forward when the public call for offers to operate the newly-reformed bus service will be made next month.

The users of public transport have waited long enough for these reforms. They should not be held to ransom by anyone who has a vested interest to maintain the status quo in a public service that is failing the public.

The statements made by the bus owners' association that the proposed reforms will cost taxpayers €45 million amount to little more than scaremongering. One can understand the owners' priority to negotiate a good deal for owners who will have to scrap their old buses and perhaps no longer operate in the reformed bus service. Taxpayers will even tolerate the payment of compensation financed with their taxes. But no one should stand in the way of raising public transport service standards.

The utilisation of more modern buses of different sizes, the improvement in the frequency and routing of bus trips, the implementation of more stringent standards of cleanliness on buses and the establishment of new bus terminals outside Valletta should all be elements that make this reform successful.

While an increase in bus fares is inevitable if these changes are to be implemented, the interests of bus users need to be protected. Quite apart from the need for economic incentives to entice travellers to leave their cars at home, it is critically important that new operators are not allowed to exploit their position of dominance in the public transport market.