Two new trackless train routes to be introduced
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Transport Malta will shortly be publishing regulations for trackless trains and issuing two new routes for the operation of such a service in St Paul’s Bay and Marsaxlokk.
This service is currently offered on the Rabat route by one operator.
Transport Minister Austin Gatt told a news conference this was part of the ongoing liberalisation and reform of the transport sector.
Any party interested in offering the service would have to register with Transport Malta (TM), which would issue a licence, and operators would have to stick to established routes.
Fares would be unregulated but fees and schedules would have to be published and the authority would make sure they were adhered to, he said. The minister said there could be competition on the same route but it depends on the number of operators and traffic.
TM was also open to evaluating other routes.
Dr Gatt also said that talks with taxi owners were expected to conclude satisfactorily next week and the white taxi reform would come on board in July.
He criticised the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for taking too long to process the Barrakka Lift application.
He insisted it did not make sense to have a scheduled ferry service in the port to ease traffic congestion in surrounding towns unless the lift was operational.
Dr Gatt said that two electric vans will also be operating within Valletta as part of the reform.
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26 Comments
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J. P. Aquilina
Apr 25th 2010, 11:55
I can't believe my eyes, its either jealousy for someone that came up with this idea of innovation for tourists or else its the usual maltese gemgem, where we have to despise whatever happens around.
@M Saliba, give a look through here http://www.flickr.com/groups/tourist_trains/
I'm sorry to say that your comment really shows lack of interest in the development of your native country and lack of knowledge about such products that have been operating in other countries all over the world not "Disneyland" and been in malta for nearly 2 years now.
George Manduca
Apr 25th 2010, 13:01
This train "service" is nothing but a novelty intended for fun-loving tourists who are more interested in having a joy-ride than any serious form of transport. It is even brightly coloured to make it attractive to young children and youngsters out for a good laugh!
Yet, I find it hard to imagine the average Maltese businessman, who wants to be taken seriously, going off to work aboard such toy-trains.
Moreover, the Maltese government has a GROSS misconception that such forms of public transport reduce the environmental impact. It is a well documented fact that even the best trains (and busses) are very very energy inefficient - worse than the average car when calculated per passenger mile.
This can only get much worse when the train is
1)-Diesel powered
2)-Has no regenerative braking
3)-Operates in busy stop-and-go traffic laden roads,
4)-And makes use of energy inefficient rubber tyres!
As usual, our misguided government either gets all it's advice from ignorant civil servants or from third parties with dubious commercial interests. In the meantime, the meritocracy of the country is multiplied!
M Saliba
Apr 24th 2010, 23:11
The train was in Malta during the last century. I was curious when on the news I heard about the trackless train. I thought it was an innovation, only to find out that it was a 'ċuċ hu train' usualy found in a disney land.
RGatt
Apr 25th 2010, 18:42
What did you expect Mr. Saliba, the Orient Express??? The train you find at Disneyland is also found elsewhere for touristic purposes. What exactly is wrong with that.
oliver mallia
Apr 24th 2010, 14:17
@ Yusuf.A
I am writing all this obo my 50% share of the mention Train. Regard the fare; our intention was a fee of 50 cents old money. ADT involved a lot unexpected expenses, therefore it was not viable. ADT is still holding envelope C of my tender document. This is supposed that it was not opened by ADT and will be returned sealed to my self at the end of the tender (as stated on ADT tender Doc). Therefore my tender is still UN finished. Also I am not interested any more. But I am not concluding my story!
Some of the unprofessional persons from ADT had lost my credibility with my partner that had joined with me.
Yusuf.A
Apr 27th 2010, 20:42
First of all thank you replying to me. And second, I don´t understand what you are saying. What do you mean with 50 cents old money? LM? I´m asking if you can say the amount in Euros. Thanks
Alfred Grima
Apr 24th 2010, 11:08
In his write up, Mr Oliver Mallia had made two accusations against Transport Malta.
1) That TM had issued a tender which goes against tender laws
2) That he was disqualified for mistakes made by the same TM
If I am not mistaken this was not the first time that Mr Oliver Mallia had accused TM; so I believe that it is high time for Transport Malta to give an account of these accusations.
Yusuf.A
Apr 23rd 2010, 22:02
This could be new and interesting for tourists. I Hope the fair is not that high.
oliver mallia
Apr 23rd 2010, 19:41
@ Adrian Vella When the Expresion of Interest was issued by the ADT, we involved a number of experts in it, such as safety auditor etc . The topic you mentioned was the most issue that we had noted. In this document we mentioned that the train will be moving for a few minutes and then stopped for another few minutes (hop on hop off kind) for cars to overtake. We had indicated the stops on the document of the EOI. My self had presented the EOI during a meeting done with the shop owners of the area. This was well come by everyone except by some “Professionals” persons from ADT. I find no objection for showing such EOI document.
Adrian Vella
Apr 23rd 2010, 18:58
As far as I'm concerned, although these trains could be a popular means of tourist transportation, there is really no place for them on our already over-congested roads. The periphery of Rabat and Mdina might be ok but high traffic density areas like Bugibba, especially in the summer months is a no no!
Oliver Mallia
Apr 23rd 2010, 17:45
TM must consider what is pending between my self and ADT(TM) while not, I find no objection to report all stories on Times of Malta about the stupidities of the high ranks in ADT etc. In the coming days please wait for my first letter on this paper. Oliver Mallia St Paul’s Bay
Oliver Mallia
Apr 23rd 2010, 17:44
I am a 50% owner of the first trackless Trains that was in Malta 10 years ago. (Blue train used in the opening of the Mater Dei Hospital and used for fund Raising of Dar tal Profidenza) This was purchased from a family member who gave up waiting. About 5 years ago ADT had issued a permit for this train to works in the limit of Mellieha . The reason that I had purchases this Train and involve 3rd parties to join with me is because of the permit mention. ADT had issued an Expration of Interest for ALL INTERSETED PARTIES and concluded with 6 companies, which my self-foarms part in one of these companies. To cut story short TILL NOW, ADT issued a tender, which goes against a number of tender laws. I was the only bidder on the Bugibba Rout and ADT disqualified my tender for 16 points following a number of mistakes done by the same ADT. I never got a reply re this matter while pointed out the mistakes done by ADT and also following a number of e-mails and meetings. Now I lost interest of operating such Train even while I still have the equipment.
Alfred Grima
Apr 23rd 2010, 17:25
Minister Austin Gatt had criticised the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for taking too long to process the Barrakka Lift application.
Is he serious? Does the Minister knows what is happening in his own back garden? It seems that he does not, so I intend to give him a clue.
The St Paul's Bay Local Council had requested 2 parking bays at Misrah il-Bajja Bugibba. Although months have passed and several reminders had been sent to TM (ex ADT) till date no reply has been received. The same can be said regarding the completion of triq Piscopo Macedonia in Xemxija.
Charles Micallef
Apr 23rd 2010, 17:01
Can we please stop critising the positive, we wasted enough years waiting for such a permit. This is a long awaited step forward and will bring Malta in line with other similar holiday resorts.......
M.Baldacchino
Apr 23rd 2010, 16:47
Very good innitiative....but i hope that the routes are carefully planned.....mux tinserta warajh u taghmel xi nofs siegha 'tkanta' !
Michael Baldry
Apr 23rd 2010, 15:47
Great news for tourism.If this train runs from St.Paul's Bay - Bugibba Square-Qawra and visa versa this will help the less mobile elderly tourists get around the area without having to use the back breaking buses. Good start now just the rubbish and dog mess problems in the area to resolve.
MarIio Mercieca
Apr 23rd 2010, 14:56
Can someone explain why there are no such trains in Valletta?
mario gellel
Apr 23rd 2010, 14:55
Cik cik cik cik, too too. Halina nghixu Austin. Biex jaqbillek issa, b'tal-linja jew bit-train?????
ONLY IN MALTA TOOTOO.COM
B. Pollacco
Apr 23rd 2010, 17:42
issa ala trid tikkritika lill-xi hadd li qed jaghmel xa haga tajba ghal pajjizna ?? jien tar-rabat ma mortx ghadni imma kullhadd li jghidli li mar kullhadd qal li sabiha ! u issa se jaghmlu rotot iktar interessanti
Ian Vassallo
Apr 23rd 2010, 18:24
Jien mir rabat u mort mux darba jew tnejn. Fih siegha buzz specjalment tkun ma shabek. T turisti asel jinzlilhom u anke tfal ta liskola jgibu fuqu. Ma nafx ala trid tmaqdar. Qisu ax kontra l gvern? Jew ma tridx li fmalta namlu affarijit godda?
Charles Sammut
Apr 23rd 2010, 14:29
Getting stuck in first gear behind one of these trains without any chance of evertaking is frustrating. I expect routes will be devised in such a way to cause the least inconvenience possible. On second thoughts, the result will probably be the opposite.
J Oatmon
Apr 23rd 2010, 14:27
"the white taxi reform would come on board in July". - I hope this means modern safe vehicles with a/c, meters, and drivers with ID badges, no criminal records, and a safe driving history?
However knowing Malta, I fully expect some sort of 'half fudged regulations' which allow these taxis to continue to rip off the less well informed, the foreigners, and the cruise liner passengers - as they have done for decades in the past. The highest fares in Europe?
Dylan Olliver
Apr 23rd 2010, 14:21
Joseph Grech, why don't you enter politics and do everything yourself inspead of just criticising ?
Joseph Grech
Apr 23rd 2010, 16:12
@Dylan Olliver - I will certainly be considering your suggestion. On one condition: that you youreself do away with your obviously blinkered political views which make you such a despicable lackey of the administration.
Was there anything untruthful in my earlier comment? Anything that particularly hurt you?
Joseph Borg
Apr 23rd 2010, 14:09
Marsaxlokk?
I would have thought that common sense indicates the completion of the project on the strand first, then the introduction of such services. Alas, common sense is not so common and we shall remain hostage of the Sunday hawkers who not only are hindering the development of the area but are leaving a mess behind them, every Sunday.
Once again, well done for the development strategy.
Joseph V. Grech
Apr 23rd 2010, 13:33
Lovely initiative...will help tourism and that's for certain.
One question to Dr. Austin Gatt: ''Have you checked whether these trains will be producing any highly toxic waste - like the Electricity generator the administration will be buying thanks to your involvement in the issue?