Editorial

If the public had any confidence in the Malta Transport Authority, it has evaporated with considerably more speed than the thick black smoke emitted by many of the nation's buses. The ADT just cannot get anything right.

The authority started off the year by suspending an initiative that it had launched with much fanfare in August 2005: the SMS emissions report system. This had enjoyed such widespread public support that the ADT received over 600 reports within the first three days. If that rate had continued, and been acted upon, Malta's roads would be a much cleaner place today.

However, it is obvious to anyone who makes use of public roads - particularly those who have been stuck behind heavy vehicles, the main culprits - that the initiative has been a flop. Not because of a lack of public spiritedness; people sent so many messages that they were getting sore thumbs. But effective action was not being taken by the originator of the scheme to stamp out polluters, as had been promised.

Worse was to come. Someone at the ADT thought fit not to act on any SMSs received in the first six months of 2009. The rationale behind this - which nobody could understand - was to make the system more efficient. The minister responsible for the authority, Austin Gatt, could not understand it either - because he was not even aware that the scheme had been suspended.

No doubt after some typical Dr Gatt words, the ADT resumed the scheme and embarked on a grovelling exercise, even sending out SMSs to all those who had taken the trouble to report an offending vehicle and assuring them that it really does care, that it really is taking action and that the public's contribution really does matter.

If the public was tempted to feel forgiving and charitable, it was not to last long. On August 2, The Sunday Times revealed that not one of 11 buses that underwent the ADT's testing procedures failed. And we report today that out of 26 buses which have now been tested, just one has failed - while 19 did not even turn up. These figures are clearly incomprehensible.

But it is not just when it comes to emissions that the ADT is floundering. The decision to close first one direction - and then both lanes - of the road leading from Mosta to Burmarrad at precisely the time when this route is at its most populated displays an unrivalled level of incompetence in relation to traffic management.

Bidnija residents could not find their way home at all, while those either heading to or from the north of Malta were forced to endure lengthy and needless delays.

The diversions were as confusing as they were poorly managed - while the police did not help matters by standing at just one end of the road that connects it-telgha ta' Alla u Ommu to Burmarrad (which had been made a one way road overnight) seemingly keener to tick-off frustrated motorists for ignoring a new no-entry sign than to assist the traffic flow.

Dr Gatt must, with urgency, attempt to restore some credibility to this forlorn authority. The only way he can do this is by finding people who are able to take sensible decisions and decisive action. The ADT seems to have very few individuals who match those criteria at this moment in time.