One route bus finally failed the emissions test last month after being reported through the SMS scheme, but 25 others received the all-clear according to figures obtained from the Malta Transport Authority (ADT).

The ADT recently restarted emissions testing resulting from SMSs sent by the public after the unannounced six-month suspension of the scheme. The vehicles currently being tested are those that were reported via SMS at least three times by citizens since January.

The ADT was criticised after The Sunday Times reported that none of the first 11 buses that were tested failed.

Of the 252 vehicles tested in the first two weeks - including cars, taxis and vans - 47 have failed. They were slapped with a fine of €46.59. Two coaches also failed out of seven that were tested in July. In all, 330 motorists failed to produce their vehicles for the test, including 19 buses and 10 coaches. These will be given another appointment and will not be able to renew their licence if they again fail to turn up.

On the other hand, roadside inspections carried out by the ADT yielded much better results, with 117 buses and coaches out of the 212 tested fined in the first five months of this year.

The SMS-based testing process has been criticised for being too lenient and lacking the surprise element needed in a test. Since vehicles are called in to be tested they are given enough time to fix the fault causing the heavy fumes. Critics have claimed that bus owners are tampering with their vehicles before the test by replacing certain filters or putting in the right kind of fuel to evade being fined. The bus owners then return to their old ways by using cheaper unfiltered fuel to save money - putting the public's health at risk in the process.

Observers have also said that policemen and wardens should issue on-the-spot fines to vehicles belching out fumes.

The ADT has defended the system saying that the testing is done according to EU standards and that it is coupled with roadside inspections.

It also considered the SMS campaign a success.

"The SMS campaign was aimed at raising awareness about emissions and what the public can do about it.

Seeing the number of SMSs that came in and the tests conducted on cars, the campaign has attained is aims," an ADT spokesman said. Despite the recent bad publicity, a total of 2,514 SMS reports were made since the system was reintroduced, higher than January and February, and slightly lower than March, April, May and June.

Roadside inspections on buses and coaches

Emissions testing in July

cperegin@timesofmalta.com