Tourism authorities apologise to tourist manhandled by bus driver

Trevor Zahra

Jul 19th 2010, 22:22

Who is actually going to pay for this free holiday???...whilst I am in full support that the Spanish visitor to our island should not only be given a compensatory free holiday but should also be refunded the money she has paid for this holiday. But why should we as tax payers have to pay for this. The Bus driver should have his drivers licence and bus operators licence immediately terminated and the compensation the this bus driver is receiving from the government MUST be immediately revoked and an order issued that he has lost his entitlement to any refund or compensation for his bus licence. A clear message has to be given to these animals who think they have the right to treat people like garbage. Make a decent example out this person and send out a clear cut message that they are not above the law...Additionally the bill for the compensation of a free holiday should be paid for by the bus driver himself. Please whow us that it is not just words spoken, but please show us concrete evidence that the proper action has been taken against this bus driver.

F.Reinhard

Jul 19th 2010, 00:39

Nobody seems to understand that in fact individual behavior is a subject of responsibility of the whole society! Unfortionately (?) western democratic system details prohibit solving maltese problems like inadequate building, bird-killing, petard explosions, tuna hunting ...
Indeed about 5 percent of the population dance on the noses of 95 percent, because their voices are needed for winning an election. Same like in rest of EU and USA ...

Maurizio Cavallaro

Jul 18th 2010, 17:32

Dear Dr. De Marco, i suggest you become an undercover tourist for one day, jumping for one bus to the other, to really understand to damage being done to our tourism industry . I'm quite sure you would change your mind about this "one time isolated incident ".

Dr. Valhmor A. zammit M.D.

Jul 18th 2010, 13:24

While unconditionally condemning the vile manner in which this unfortunate tourist was treated, I contend that we are owed a daily apology by the Spanish ambassador to Malta. I'm referring to the way the numerous Spanish students currently running amock on our island behave. They are supposed to come here to learn the English language, however, I'm sure, it's the least thought they have on their minds when arriving here. They are invariably loud, aggressive, arrogant, abusive and on their return from a night of revelry most of them are hopelessly drunk. The trail of destruction along the Sliema front in the early hours of the morninge.g. bent signposts, smashed telephone booths, overturned plants and bonsai trees, broken glass bottles and abuse of passersby, bear witness to his uncouth behaviour. It seems that bad manners and misbehaviour are not the yardsticks solely of us Maltese!

martina salerno

Jul 18th 2010, 11:16

What about this driver getting fired?

I have been using public transport for most of these last 8 years and the apalling behaviour of some drivers is just incredible, especially with tourists.

Recently I was on the 49 bus and the driver and two of his colleagues were cracking 'jokes' about the appearance of a few foreign female passengers. They kept looking back and forth at them, say something in Maltese and laugh out loud everytime. Even though the foreigners had no idea what was being said, they knew what was going on.

Another time a driver got aggressive with an elderly female tourist. There was some misunderstanding about how much she needed to pay for her ticket.He started shouting like an animal at her, and when she tried to get off the bus he grabbed her by the arm and nearly caused her to fall flat on her face onto the gear box (it was one of those 1950's buses). She tried to wrestle herseIf out of his grip but he only let her go once she had threatened to report him.

These people are sending our tourism industry to the dogs. Could they possibly be worth the risk?

Raymond Cutajar

Jul 18th 2010, 07:28

Dear Sir Mario de Marco please do not show your "pleasing all attitude " by downplaying .You know that this is not an isolated case as you want and everybody wish it ever was BUT Everybody including yourself Sir that this is a daily occuring mishap which there is no place in such a society .any defence by singularity is futile to all the effort yours office and of thousands of others in the trade do their best to genuinly lure tourists and manna- givers for custom
Rather hurt reading that you said that as you Should and Do know better!¬
Your singularly statment is Exactly a copycat of an case where a number of buses where tested for Emissions and only One failed !!!!!
Sir go on tell that to the world or the maltese on the news ! tv news please
And why don't you confere with the ministry responsabile for ADT/TM to task them why the ADT/TM allows such abuse? after all all vehicles are subject for vrt's
would you give us their reply in kind ? as it is the nation's as the tourists interests both immidiate and distant we are talking about ,regards R.C.

Jonathan Pace

Jul 17th 2010, 21:20

Honestly its not a secret that at least half the bus drivers (very rough estimate, its more then half certainly) are bullies and jerks who are always never on time and deserve the world's praise for sitting on their ass all day driving a bus.

If you want to nip this situation in the bud once and for all I say the government should start using normal clothed workers who use the bus service and see the overall performance of the bus driver to them and to other people in the bus.

Heck I remember once there was this Italian couple and their toddler who got verbally bludgeoned by a bus driver because their child spilled his drink. The Italian tourist tried to explain to the driver that it was an accident and that he would clean it, but NOOO the driver with his veins almost about the pop had to make a show and kept on hurling verbal abuse at the bread and butter of our economy.

This needs to stop, these thugs not only abuse of our economy but are also indirectly increasing pollution levels by driving the Maltese away from using public transporation.

Joseph Francis

Jul 17th 2010, 14:13

"Dr de Marco pointed out that it was the behaviour of one man and not of the entire country"
That's because he was the only one reported. Because she had enough courage to report him. How many more do not have the courage to report bus drivers who abuse people verbally? Or how many senior citizens do report bus drivers who drive on regardless whether or not these old ladies and gentlemen have not yet sat down? On the other hand there are also some gentlemen who drive buses. But what these good drivers do is put in bad light because of the behaviour of such drivers. I do not agree with Dr Demarco that its only one. There are more......if only one knows how to search for them. The answer is simple......sack such a person from his job. We do not need people like him.

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 17th 2010, 13:15

@Andrew Abela. Andrew as a tourist myself I don't see the need to change Malta or it's people. You can't label an entire nation by the actions of a few idiots. People like this bus driver appear all over the world Andrew in every walk of life so it's not just a Maltese problem.

v mercieca

Jul 17th 2010, 09:00

I can guess how this is going to end. The bus driver gets a warning from the courts for misbehaving and a suspended sentence.

And we taxpayers shall fork out the money for compensating the tourist with a free holiday.

In my opinion, such people should be banned from working in areas were tourists (directly or indirectly) are involved.

Andrew Abela

Jul 16th 2010, 23:42

if you have to change Malta.. you have to change the peoples attitudes.. obviously this will never happen .. no will at all.

Alfred Cassar

Jul 16th 2010, 23:06

Just consider that we might end up having all these present drivers winning the new contract and having their job guaranteed for another 10 years. If this happens in my opinion we should organise a boycott to the Public Bus Service. That's the only way we might be heard.

John De Bono

Jul 16th 2010, 20:31

National Shame??? Its another disaster that should have been prevented, had we had a decent administration... and MTA, what about all the construction taking place in Sliema Valletta and other tourist location in mid summer.. should this have been done earlier so as to avoid inconvenience and an eyesore to tourist who pay to come here?? And as regards to whom should apologize I staunchly believe the Hon. Minister Gatt should have apologized not Hon. De Marco, since in January he announced that a 'Public Transport Reform' had taken place then.. and till now, same faces, same old habits, same junk polluting our roads.. we are the laughing stock of Europe.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxmzi6ZnGgE and its not just a single person, or his old dirty bus: its the system, the association, the Authority, the ministry and the whole government that is in dire need of replacement.. and not just the buses. Having said that, I add that in this country buses running solely on electricity is a viable, sensible, feasible & clean solution and appears to be the only way to go if we are to reach EU Standards in time. SHAME!

J. Spiteri

Jul 16th 2010, 19:48

This tourist deserves the free holiday for being treated badly by this bus driver, but he also deserves a holiday by being fired from his job for good. @Adreana Attard. How often do you make use of public transport ? If you do you should know the shameful behaviour of some bus drivers!

Luke Scicluna

Jul 16th 2010, 18:24

Its sad for us to see our name getting black listed in peoples minds as this will eventually turn into racial issue at us, including us who are the least liable for... That thought me a lesson that's worth sharing i guess, generalising over such things as race, religion etc is plain wrong. Big X.

What we should do now is get a spanish news agency to cover the story, where they say what happened, and then, interview her and highlight the part where she says maltese ppl are nice and the island is great etc, thats some good advertisment money cant really buy...
If you have lemon, make lemonade :)

Anyone's got a friend in spain??

JOe VELLa

Jul 16th 2010, 17:46

@Daniel Gordon
In fact I was the one coming out from hospital. You are quite right a lot of things could have been the reason for his delay, it could have been he was sending an SMS.
As for foreign beer, I do not drink any alcohol so believe me water, gin or vodka they all look alike to me, but my goodness broken bottles of foreign beer I come across often, I guess they are not returnable.
As for me giving you a smile. I assure you I smiled too come to think of it. Bless

Dee Williams

Jul 16th 2010, 17:46

I don't think it's the place of the tourism authority to apologise but the actual bus driver. However i think this is good, as would be tourists thinking of visiting Malta would be put off, after reading or hearing about this.As for the FREE holiday let the diver pay for it from all the TIPS he makes by not giving any or the wrong change. I'm British and live in Gozo and when travelling by bus in Malta have found most drivers ok, apart from the smoking/mobile habit..Then again the same can be said for some drivers in Gozo.Only a few weeks ago i caught the 25 bus from the ferry terminal to Victoria gave him 50c and got no change, now if he does this to every passenger by the end of the week he has made himself a nice little profit.And some drivers smoke and use the mobie as well..

andreana attard

Jul 16th 2010, 17:21

What exactly did Ms Cuesta "do" to get such bad treatment from the bus driver?

Peter Montanaro

Jul 16th 2010, 17:13

It is not only on the buses that we tourists are harrasd.We jost returnd from Malta,and we were very much offended by the hotel manegment in the dining room. we asked for an apology which never came,and reported the insident to the tourist board.on the eve of our depature,(we were there for two weeks),we were presented with a bottle of wine.All we wanted is an apology in the resturant were the incident happend,not a bottle of wine.

Victor Vella

Jul 16th 2010, 17:10

One has to delve into the matter and ask why the driver had behaved in such a manner. Such pertinent question is important. Now many tourists are coming to Malta with low cost airlines and pretend that wherever they go they don't want to pay money. Such tourists who come to Malta and don't spend any money or share a bottle of lemonade among four persons are better to remain at home. These are the effects of the low cost airlines that this government boasts to bring to our islands. Your article will remain biased until the driver is asked why he acted in such a way. After all why this fuss. This is only a one off instance considering the millions of passengers that Ryanair is bringing to these islands.

malcolm seychell

Jul 16th 2010, 17:07

Thank god this bus driver will get a 10 year guarantee for his job.

Just do as a private company.

Fire them and these should not be given a single cent as compensation.

Mario Muscat

Jul 16th 2010, 17:04

Our country heavily on tourism , we cannot afford to have idiots ruining our investment. Well done Dr de Marco way to go.

P Pace Balzan

Jul 16th 2010, 16:59

@ Charles Zammit
A person is innocent until proven guilty.

In this case the tourist has been given a free holiday solely based on her words.
(Why does Malta not give a free holiday to all the tourists who file a theft report etc...)

The driver on the other hand has not only a minister talking against him but a load of bloggers. Very soon he will have to face directly his employer.

A just and morally lawful approach would have NEVER been dished out in this way.

Bill Khan

Jul 16th 2010, 16:53

Maltya relies heavily on tourism, it is but essential there should be intense monitoring of services to tourists especially the transport service in particular. Such monitoring/ inspection of claeniliness of buses to hygiene and /attitude bahviour of the driver can be carried out by passengers slected from time to time for the purpose.

Best behaved drivers with well kept buses should then be recognised and rewarded nationally. The problem seems systemic rather than the odd employee behaving badly.

Thanks to the internet this case may already have scared off many tourists from visiting Malta. Tourists need to know that Mlata remains one of the safest places to vist and where people are inherently frinedly. The ministry of tourism needs to work hard and out of the box rather than just dishing out free holidays.

Charles Zammit

Jul 16th 2010, 16:19

@P Pace Balzan .
Your arguement is null and void . There is no excuse for assault , it is criminal and if proven the guilty should bear the wrath of justice . As for the excuse the driver was worried about his job , he certainly was not worried by the bad publicity to Malta and the bread and butter of thousands employed in this sector .
This and any other such behaviour should be punished severly leas of all by having the driving licence revoked and not ever to be allowed to drive on any passenger transport .

John M. Grima

Jul 16th 2010, 16:15

Sur de Marco. you've done it again! Thank you. And congratulations. Malta/Gozo needs people like you in Parliament. Keep up the good work. Blessings on you and your family.

J. N. Mifsud

Jul 16th 2010, 15:47

Unwarranted 'Assaults by thw Bus Driver'.
An assault unaccompanied by any circumstances of aggravation, is an unlawful touching of another without justificatio or excuse. Is both tort, as well as a crime The two crimes differ; but none the less both had physical contact of some sort.
The bus driver had no business touching the passenger (tourist). Any unlawful touching of another is punishable as felonies, and as such the passenger shoul seek legal advice.
As for the Tourism Secretary . He should see that the bus driver is suspened; period. including ; cancellation of his driver's licence.

Marcel Zammit-Marmarà

Jul 16th 2010, 15:42

This unfortunate incident just goes to show that it's no use going for new buses without excluding a number of bus drivers. The proposed reorganisation & privatisation of the transport system will be another case of 'old wine in new bottles' unless a few dodgy characters are eliminated entirely from the whole system.

Joe Grima

Jul 16th 2010, 15:42

This is one surefire occasion when I have to add my sincere congatulations to Dr Mario Damarco for acting the way he did on the issue of this hapless tourist. While tourism remains a collective effort involving thousands of people, including the entire population of these Islands, or at least that part of our people who come in touch with visitors, when things go wrong, as on this occasion, it is the Minister responsible for Tourism who bears the full brunt of the misdeeds. Some of the harrowing stories in these colums involving bus drivers scream for immediate action and extremely heavy penalties in such cases which reflect badly on our tourism and throw out of the window the huge investment that in this country puts into the tourism industry. This particular bus driver should be metaphorically hung, drawn and quartered and left to rot in a prison cell as an example for the rest of his breed. A hefty fine should accompany a prison sentence in order to compensate the country for potential loss of earnings from non-returning tourists because of this bus driver's bullying behaviour.

Lydia Pace Workman

Jul 16th 2010, 15:31

I have not used public transportation in Malta for over 40 years, however, if memory serves me right, the drivers used to have shirts sticking out of their trousers,used terrible language,had a volatile temper and a horrific attitude to go with it and above all, most generally, bad hygiene. Seems to me that save for cell phone usage not much has changed! I remember feeling embarrassed when with foreign friends I took the bus somewhere. I have used public transportation overseas extensively and in all the civilized countries I have traveled , I cannot honestly say that I have found any similarities to what I have described above. Independently of who runs public transportation, there ought to be some guidelines to be adhered to and respected. Let's start with an interview and an aptitude test, you fail it, despite your years of service you are out on your ear! End of story!

P Pace Balzan

Jul 16th 2010, 15:00

@Antonio Anastasi
@Jon Vercelono
@Ian Galea
I disagree . Why has a minister made a public appearance over an angry driver and 6 euro cents?

All factors, most of which are ignored by people, have to be considered.

There has been a massive change in the way (still continuing) that our bus system operates. (ie Privatisation)

Uncertainty causes this behaviour.

Perhaps the driver was saying " Why are these people hassling me over 6 euro cents when my livelihood (and the livelihood of my family) is in limbo ?

JOe VELLa

Jul 16th 2010, 14:58

Yesterday driving out of Mater Dei Hospital, coming to the first roundabout someone who had the right of way took ages to take his right to drive, so I drove instead.
All my family body parts where yelled at me in broad daylight by this undecided driver. Unfortunately we have cowboys everywhere, if one had to take the law in his own hands he end up having an argument in every corner.
My point is this driver did wrong! The minister concerned deserve our respect on this matter, but we have to teach our children to become good citizen so when they grown up they act accordingly. It is a pity in some areas teens and young age children are seen with cigarettes and foreign beer, feeling they are the new upcoming generation of cowboys and everything seem excepted.

Christopher Mamo

Jul 16th 2010, 14:54

I expect the consortium bidding for the new public transport system to be disqualfiied unless they sack this thug. All thugs who were involved in that June 2008 (?) bravado for that matter... Austin, Lawrence... let's start over afresh!

adrian galea

Jul 16th 2010, 14:47

1. any police investigations
2. ADT action?
3. Public Transport Association action?
4. is his job guaranteed for the next 10 years?

Charles Zammit

Jul 16th 2010, 14:33

Athough it is very commendable for Dr De Marco to have acted in such a way , it is a great shame that a politician with I am sure lots of work on his desk , has to take such action.
First as has been said this behaviour has to stop by these thugs being brought to justice for assault and other such criminal behaviour and when found guilty , they are to be made to pay for damages incurred including having to make good for expenses such as these assaulted people getting a free holiday and although it is approptiate I do not see why becouse of a lout the tax payer has to pay for a louts behaviour .
It would be a good idea if more police officers were reqruited as traffic policemen and patrolling as at one time they used to do on motorbikes , this would give immediate help to bad driving as well as curb abuse such as these louts dish out . To finish with these wreckers of the Maltese friendly character should have their licences revoked for good .

Robert Agius

Jul 16th 2010, 13:42

...I wonder if the same action would have been applied had a Maltese person complained. Maltese - 2nd class citizens in their own country.

A step in the right direction but I wonder who is going to pay for the expenses...come on everybody, take a wild guess.

D. A . Agius

Jul 16th 2010, 13:36

Gheziez Membri Parlamentari, Ministri u Segretarji Parlamentari,

Meta nara LILKOM tuzaw tal-linja, imqar darba kuljumf'hinjiet differenti halli ma jkunx hemm pjaciri, hemmhekk forsi nerga nibda nemmen daqsxejn fikom u fit-transport pubbliku.

Nassigurakhom illi hafna nies jibdew jemmnu wkoll, u tirbhu iktar voti milli toqghodu tifthu progett lil hawn u iehor lil hemm!

U mhux biex naqbez ghax-xufiera... imma posibli ma tirrangawx ftit in-noll, tinvestu d-differenza fuq bus shelters jew xi haga li ingawduha kolha kemm ahna u b'hekk innaqqsu din l-issue tat-3c? Minn naha nahseb li twassal ghal certu skumdita ghax-xufiera. bin-noll kif inhu tistghu taghmluh 50c kullimkien jew tirrangaw illi ma nhdahhlux hafna muniti fin-nofs.

Minflok aqbdu u jew taghmlu bus shjelters ahjar, latrini sura jew ghallinqas jitnaddfu ahjar, ticket b'xejn ma 20 ...ejja ftit imamginazzjoni u ikatar minn hekk azzjoni.

Forsi wkoll tistghu tinvestu f'inspectors "undercover" sabiex jirrappurtaw fuq il-bus drivers jew inkella ahjar, sistema sura sabiex il- pubbliku jaghmel il-complaints (erba leaflets u kaxxa fejn jintefghu jaf ikunu bizzejjed ta!)

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 16th 2010, 13:33

If you are keeping up to date with this story Isabel and I'm sure you will be then you must recognise the fact that what happened to you was not representative of the Maltese nation in any way. It is a beautiful country with the friendliest of people and you really need to come back. Every country has people like this bus driver Isabel but don't let it spoil your enjoyment of Malta. The part I find most surprising in all this is the authority stating that they already knew this guy was a problem and yet they allowed him to continue working. Amazing!

JOHN O SCERRI

Jul 16th 2010, 13:23

Bla Bla BLa....................'Tourism authorities apologise to tourist manhandled by bus driver'

What action is to be taken for this not to happen any more? Answer please Dr. Demarco.

Start from those who said they knew about this bus driver's behavour and did not do anything to remove him from meeting people in that state.

It's like setting your ferocious dog on the loose and then apologising to someone it had bitten .
The bite is never forgotten no matter what .
Not even will this driver for this lady .
She will always remember him more than all the other kind people who were good to her .

It's just the psychology of mankind.

Karl Consiglio

Jul 16th 2010, 13:08

Not just the infamous rudeness, but many a bus driver smokes on the bus, chats on the mobile while driving, keeps the bus filthy, doesn't give the correct change or no change....

victor pulis

Jul 16th 2010, 13:05

What if all the tourists(and there must be many) who are treated in the same manner and who up till now didn't think it was worth it to report the incident decide to report. Will they get a free trip to Malta too? By all means let us give it to them but at the expence of the culprits not mine. These idiots have to learn the hard way.

Ernest Spiteri Gonzi

Jul 16th 2010, 13:04

It so happened that I used the bus services this week. The drivers of the bus taking me to Mosta & from Mosta to Valletta were totally unsuitable to be called bus drivers. I think the Honorary Parliamentary Secretary.needs to contact a serious investigation because what I saw on that day was absolutely unacceptable. Tourist abused verbally while passengers try to calm down driver. Driver on mobile and believe it or not reading his post while driving. This was the one off chance I took the bus. I can just imagine what happens every day. We will end up having to give all tourists a free trip to come back. We really need to tackle a very serious problem of these cowboys on the road.

Ramon Casha

Jul 16th 2010, 12:58

"Dr de Marco said the bus driver's behaviour was a "national shame".

Is he still driving?

lilian pisani

Jul 16th 2010, 12:56

This isn't the first time and it won't be the last incident that a bus rider is maltreated by a bus driver in Malta. Some of them can be rude and crude for sure. The only way to solve this is by only accepting the exact amount for the fare,no change made by the driver.This is how it's done in Canada,you just deposit the money in a closed in glass depositary and that's the end of that,no confrontations and no problem. Whoever heard of tipping the bus driver anyway.

M Muscat

Jul 16th 2010, 12:53

Although I agree with the action taken, it is not enough. Why should tourists have to complain and it an issue in order for them to get considered.
Although normally it's not fair to generalise and although individual drivers complain that only a few behave incorrectly, ALL BUS drivers should do their utmost to excel. No one has an easy job - this is no excuse to have any sort of attitude other than doing their work to their best, respect clients and being helpful!

Gerard Cassar

Jul 16th 2010, 12:37

Is it not a bit exagerated for a Minister to intervene personally in such circumtances.
Let us not be more catholic than the Pope. He could have remained in the background and obtained the same result.

mario pandolfino

Jul 16th 2010, 12:30

Ghandi suspett qawwi li dan ix-xufier mhux l-ewwel darba li xellef difru mal gustizja.

Anne Farrugia

Jul 16th 2010, 12:21

Well done Dr de Marco, well done indeed! But please make this bus driver pay for his arrogance and dispicable attitude of his. Sending him to jail would only have the Maltese tax payer pay for his 'holiday'. I would deduct a % from his wages to pay the debt he would incure plus the interest! He should not be made to feel special! He pays it with interest. Hekk!

C Cassar

Jul 16th 2010, 12:18

Well, clearly the first step is to make sure that this bus driver does not have any employment whatsoever within the newly selected consortium.

Surely some kind of 'blacklist' should be setup to keep these idiots away from any kind of public/customer facing jobs?

K. Spiteri

Jul 16th 2010, 12:18

Well this bus driver need to be given a lesson for being so aggresive with this Spanish lady.
Then how about bringing to book Transport Malta where they answer the phone after 2 or 3 minutes and then pass you on to someone else and the phone goes dead. You phone again and after 2 or 3 minutes she answers the phone gives you a Birkirkara No and again no answer. Don't they have a receptionest at Transport Malta? Is not this mental HARRASEMENT?

Lawrence Martinelli

Jul 16th 2010, 12:13

Minister said : We spent money to promote Malta ,then a person like this......
A person ? Ask the Maltese and the tourists HOW MANY.
The whole bus system should be reformed.....busses - drivers....the lot !

Charles Zammit

Jul 16th 2010, 12:13

Athough it is very commendable for Dr De Marco to have acted in such a way , it is a great shame that a politician with I am sure lots of work on his desk , has to take such action.
First as has been said this behaviour has to stop by these thugs being brought to justice for assault and other such criminal behaviour and when found guilty , they are to be made to pay for damages incurred including having to make good for expenses such as these assaulted people getting a free holiday and although it is approptiate I do not see why becouse of a lout the tax payer has to pay for a louts behaviour .
It would be a good idea if more police officers were reqruited as traffic policemen and patrolling as at one time they used to do on motorbikes , this would give immediate help to bad driving as well as curb abuse such as these louts dish out . To finish with these wreckers of the Maltese friendly character should have their licences revoked for good .

frendo e

Jul 16th 2010, 12:04

Interesting to know if this bus driver is going to be one employed by the new bus service ! LOL!

M. Camilleri

Jul 16th 2010, 12:03

And to the people who live day in day out with our bus drivers; i.e. joe bloggs who has to get to work everyday... do you say nothing to them, except cough-up (in more ways then one)?

A. Falzon

Jul 16th 2010, 12:00

Well done Dr. De Marco, but why should we tax payers pay for it. Let that MONSTER be taken to court apart from a good prison sentence (as its not the first time) let him pay for her holiday. I must say not all bus drivers are the same. Just imagine anyone spending 8-12 hours of driving in this heath. ......

Carla Vella

Jul 16th 2010, 11:57

So, Mr de Marco... a fine media response... but will you keep the public informed of the actual outcome? If not, why not? ... perhaps requests should be made under European Freedom of Information legislation... these are "offenders" after all... most of such behaviour is not just rude but verbally and physically abusive. Disgraceful. I am bringing friends with me to Malta on my next trip... what will they witness I wonder! More of the same, no doubt.

Roderick Theuma

Jul 16th 2010, 11:55

This bus driver should have his license revoked.

M. Jones

Jul 16th 2010, 11:53

Maybe he should also apologies to us citizens who have to suffer the less than efficient bus system 365 days a year with the result of constant traffic jams and exhaust pollution --- instead of the government offering them a "reform" package which they do not deserve.

Its quite an insult to the residents of this Island.

Carla Vella

Jul 16th 2010, 11:46

@ Carla Vella... some more examples if you really need them... a couple of years ago, on a bus from St Paul's Bay to Sliema, a driver was really rude to a young female tourist and her friend. She politely and correctly told him he should not speak to her that way, at which point the bus driver got out of his seat and followed her outside of the bus... he slapped her. Shocking. I reported this in writing to Malta Transport athority, even gave the bus number and time of journey. No response. Another occasion, a driver saw me and a friend at St Paul's Bay bus stop; he drove past us. Another driver (different number bus) saw this and stopped for us. He asked what happened and said the other driver should have stopped. When we got to Valletta, this driver mentioned it to the Dispatcher, who came to me and told me not to make up stories unless I want a slap from the driver, and proceeded to call the driver, very threateningly. I feel sick even now just thinking about it. IAs read this, are you in denial too? Have you witnessed similar behaviour?

Joe Grim Brussels

Jul 16th 2010, 11:43

Well done, minister. This is what MUST be done to repair the damage done by that hooligan! As an aside. What about offering a free break to the driver as well, food and entertainment included, during the Spanish tourist's stay? Corradino 'Hotel', say! Just in case they happen to come face to face another time during her second visit, and he shows his talents once again!!! I sincerely hope she doesn't bump into him on another bus!

A Zammit

Jul 16th 2010, 11:42

The "national shame" is the whole taxi and xarabank service. I would rather recycle the people who operate this service rather than the vehicles!

G Darmanin

Jul 16th 2010, 11:42

Once I was in a bus, a foreigner came up, and she gave to the driver 50cents. He gave her the ticket and started to drive. She waited there for the rest and he looked at her and told her: "Triq il-bqija ja qammiela? Mur poggi bilqeda ghax nati xi skoss u ... !" Then during the journey he looked at her and told her "A qammiela" a number of times!

joe cutajar

Jul 16th 2010, 11:36

Dawn normali minn juza tal-linja ikun jaf Dr.demarco missom jisthu hafna mill xufira mumiex tajbin all man-nies

P Pace Balzan

Jul 16th 2010, 11:35

A respectful minister BUT
a whole issue arose over 6 Euro cents.!

What have our ministers / this minister got to say about stolen/requisitioned properties?

see link : http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100715/local/owners-of-requisitioned-property-granted-60-000-compensation

R.Borg

Jul 16th 2010, 11:35

WELL DONE, DR.DEMARCO,
AND PLEASE EXERT MORE DISCIPLINE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE:
HIERGA SOCJETA' FEJN KULHADD JAGHMEL LI JRID.

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 16th 2010, 11:34

The driver must be suspended and answer in the Courts for his behaviour (misbehaviour). His license as a bus driver should be suspended for a couple of years, and he should be heavily fined by the Courts. The newspapers must then carry a report on the front or back pages and his name should be flung far and wide. Unfortunately for him he must answer for the unwholesome behaviour of drivers of his ilk. And please Dr Demarco will you see that adequate restrooms with adequate washing and toilet facilities are provided WITHOUT DELAY for drivers in St James Ditch? We haven't had more than enough of drivers urinating in public. Action please!

Emmanuel Caruana

Jul 16th 2010, 11:34

Why the Tourism Authority has to burden such behaviour. Why not the driver himself after taking him to Court he should compensate for his wrong doings. Bring this woman to Malta again on his expenses.

Carla Vella

Jul 16th 2010, 11:33

Simply not good enough. I have written in previously about the awful disrespectful (verging on common assault) behaviour of many (not a few) Maltese bus drivers. I come to Malta every two months and each time I witness such behaviour. When I wrote to the Malta Transport Customer care, no one even had the decency to reply. When I phoned them, I was told something like, "mhux dan in-dipartiment ghandek bzonn... imma ma nafx..." etc. I wrote in to various Maltese newspapers, including Times of Malta, but most Maltese replies (in denial of course) just criticised me for exaggerating, some quite rudely. I can repeat some examples herein... I have seen drivers refuse to give proper change (usually to foreign customers)... I rarely get the right change myself and if I point this out, they swear at me as if I can't understand Maltese... have seen them give wrong route information to customers, often to black customers so that they don't get on their bus, and then told me off (and swore at me) when I offered to assist those customers... then at my stop, they angrily drove off before I could properly get off the bus - etc.

Emmanuel Caruana

Jul 16th 2010, 11:30

His special driving licence should be revoked as early as possible and brought to Court so an example will be given to all Bus/Mini buses drivers who think they are the KINGS OF THE ROADS.

saviour Bartolo

Jul 16th 2010, 11:27

I totlally concur with the comments passed by many that action should be taken against those who abuse their position. However, this situtation is happening frequently even at Paceville where certain bouncers (particularly those of a particular club known as Havana) are arragont with people and even aggressive in their behaviour with people (let me be more direct, particularly with innocent people).

What are we going to do with this situation? Are we going to ignore it because it has not been given prominence by the media? Are we going to ignore it because people feel helpless in such circumstances? You need to go to such places to understand what I am trying to imply. I am no expecting heaven on Earth but decent and civil behaviour by those bouncers who are not worth their uniform!

joe vella

Jul 16th 2010, 11:23

well done dr demarco - yours is an example to some of your colleagues who should copy you, get off their seats and do something direct, no pussying about

now a lot has been said about this guy, I do not know how many inquiries have been mentioned or set up
all is needed is one or two senior managers at the transport authority to check out the case and sack the guy if he really behaved in that manner, it shouldn't take ages and so many inquiries
it's about time we put the term accountable to proper practice, (and this at all levels!!!!)
if he is not fit to work with people, sorry sir go and work in a quarry where you can vent your pent up angers and aggressive feelings against some rocks!!

Charles Micallef

Jul 16th 2010, 11:22

Dr Demarco expressed the nation's feelings.....let us hope that other Ministers will have the guts and speak as loud and clear as Dr Demarco did...............and also hope that this particular driver is prosecuted and have Bus Driving License removed, if for nothing else to serve as an example to the other dozen or so cowboy bus drivers!

Chris Finch

Jul 16th 2010, 11:20

A positive reaction from the Tourist Authority, but pointless if this thug is still driving buses. Imagine if Ms Reymundo Cuesta decides to take another bus and is confronted once again by this animal. I shudder to think what its reaction would be to her this time.

J Galea

Jul 16th 2010, 11:16

Any unwarranted physical touching of another person that is unreasonable is a battery/assault under the law and a prosecution should be considered if there was a compaint.

S. Camilleri

Jul 16th 2010, 11:15

A very positive and no-nonsense approach from the Parliamentary Secretary which is to be highly commended. But WHY IS IT that the Parliamentary Secretary had to be involved. The MTA and relevant authorities must have known about this for some weeks now... Why did they not take action themselves and locked up this cowboy where he belongs. Why do we have this army of civil servants who sit pretty and wait for the minister to push the button before they get up from their sad arse!!!!

Neil Sant

Jul 16th 2010, 11:14

I'm very pleased with the way Dr. De Marco is handling this, as well as the MTA's campaigns to promote Malta abroad, and the sprucing up of beaches. Sure, more must be done but we're moving in the right direction.

Andrew Vella

Jul 16th 2010, 11:14

As some one who gets 3 buses a day for work, i can tell you i see this kind of behaviour all the time. Regrardless if your maltess, a kid or a tourist, the bus driver will swear at you just for giving him a 2euro coin to pay then he will short change you or in some case tell you to get off and wait for the next bus. And when you add on the fact that the bus NEVER comes on time or is dangerously overcrowded (20-25 people standing up) it makes you think WTF the MTA is up too...

Charles Micallef

Jul 16th 2010, 11:11

Since some of the buses owners signed the agreement with the government to ‘cash in’ on years of providing a substandard service for the Maltese commuter, the service in general has taken an appalling turn for the worse, with some of the already dilapidated buses are now being driven on our roads in the most appalling condition, timetables being totally ignored and being rude to their fare-paying passengers has become the order of the day!

Hence I would like to ask the relevant authorities what precautions were taken at the time of the agreement to ensure that some sort of a decent service must be provided until the new operating company will take over or again was the €53m overgenerous taxpayer's money handed over unconditional!

mark johnson

Jul 16th 2010, 11:06

It's quite simple, this woman makes a very serious accusation of assault and we all trip over ourselves to make her feel pampered. The case should be investigated by the police as the driver is innocent until proved guilty. Only then should this woman's compensation be decided.

A. Agius

Jul 16th 2010, 11:05

Mr. Oatman said it all.
The iron curtain went down many years ago in the east.
About time these arrogant drivers are dealt with once and for all.

C MUSCAT

Jul 16th 2010, 11:05

Good Show. Well deserved apology to the tourist. One has to point out that many bus drivers are well educated and a handful do not deserve to be in a public service.
I hope the emergency service will not remain shame at least the tourist will benefit and th maltese wil also become europeans. 112; 112 and any emergency service should be up to standard always and everyday

Joss Galea

Jul 16th 2010, 10:58

U li kieku dan ix-xufier ghamel hekk lili li jien Maltija? Kien jigi l-prim ministru jaghtini apologija. Missew keccewh mill-ewwel!!!

AZammit

Jul 16th 2010, 10:56

Very commendable on the part of the minister, however,this is not the first time that tourists have been harassed and unless action is taken immediately there will be other cases. How about having MTA inspectors ride buses for them to find out how most of them behave with us Maltese; let alone tourists.

G Psaila

Jul 16th 2010, 10:54

Hon Minister, please spare a thought for all the Maltese people who suffer this savagery EVERY single day, and not once while on holiday. The things we come across are unspeakable.

J Oatmon

Jul 16th 2010, 10:53

Malta needs to get rid of this 'public service vehicle licence' for life, and only re-issue a public service vehicle licence, each year if the driver has a good record with few complaints of driving offences.

The habitual bad drivers with the 'sod you I'm in charge' attitude, do not get their licences renewed for public service vehicles, they can drive a delivery van or truck but not passengers.
Also the this particular nutter driver, needs to be prosecuted for theft by the police, since he refused to give change, it was obviously not an error, it was deliberate theft.

o.mizzi

Jul 16th 2010, 10:49

sa fl ahhar !! nispera li issa jiehu li haqqu ix xufier...
bla tlaqliq najd li l aktar nies li joffru servizz moqziez u arroganti m'huma hadd hlief tax xarabanks u tat taxis !

lyn nobbs

Jul 16th 2010, 10:46

Apologies are welcome news, but now is Maltas chance to get this problem sorted out once and for all, it gives such a bad impression of your country, as most holiday makers use the buses.

Joe Fenech

Jul 16th 2010, 10:43

"Admitting he was very embarrassed with the bus driver's behaviour, Dr de Marco pointed out that it was the behaviour of one man and not of the entire country."

UNTRUE: this is the behaviour of MANY you employ as bus drivers!

M.Farrugia

Jul 16th 2010, 10:41

hemm bzonn li nies ta din il-kwalita ghanda titiehdilhom il-licenzja tas-sewqan, għalinqas l-ispecjal licence li biha ikun jista isuq karozza tal-linja, van jew xi mezz iehor ta trasport li jkollu x'jaqsam mat-turisti u anki ma passiegieri lokali. Barra minhekk ghandhom jittiehdu passi oħra anki jekk hemm bzonn fil-qorti u ma nkunx rotob fid-decizjoni. Niftakru li dan kien ta hsara nazzjonali għal wahda mill-industriji li thaddem hafna nies. Id-decizjoni ghandha tigi kommunikata mhux lil poplu mALTI BISS IMMA ANKI LIL DIN IT-TURISTA

Stephen Spiteri

Jul 16th 2010, 10:40

The level of 3-star hotels in Malta is beyond description...on continental Europe you can find delightful small hotels in this category, costing around 50 to 70 euros per night...where the emphasis is not on luxury but on that feeling of "cosyness". By comparison, many of Malta's 3-star hotels are a horror-scenario. This goes also for aparthotels where most of them use bed linens consisting of the lowest quality sheets and lowest quality and totally ineffective blankets. That might be ok during a heatwave, but in other times its extremely uncomfortable.

B Sant

Jul 16th 2010, 10:39

is the alleged culprit suspended pending investigation?

Anton Portelli

Jul 16th 2010, 10:39

Well done Hon De Marco!!!!!.............. but I think the bus driver concerned should be compelled to fork out the expenses and not the taxpayer.

Joe. Farrugia ex-pat

Jul 16th 2010, 10:39

A step in the right direction, however the damage for malta has been done unnecessarily there was no nned to be uncivilized to an outsider remember news travel fast, as even my friends in Australia has pointed out to me. After all its their bread and butter why all the hasstle, and if one cannot stand the heat, i say get out the kitchen and do something else for a living.

J Farrugia

Jul 16th 2010, 10:38

Mhux bizzejjed tghidulha skuzana ghax l-azzjoni tat-turista ser tolqotna fil-laham il-haj. X''int taghmel Dr Demarco biex dan is-sewwieq titnehhielu t-tag u jigi pprocessat f'qorti tal-gustizzja u jehel il-habs ta' ghemilu? X'inhi taghmel l-awtorita tat-trasport pubbliku biex nies bhal dawn ma jigux impjegati fejn jinghata servizz lill-poplu? X'inhuma jaghmlu l-pulizija biex dawn l-atti kriminali ma jkomplux jitwettqu minn xufiera dan it-tip? U l-poplu Malti jhallas ghall-izbalji tal-awtoritajiet (IN)kompetenti.

Josef Bonello

Jul 16th 2010, 10:34

I think its an excellent initiaive to offer this spanish tourist a free hoiday to make amends...however if the bus driver is found guilty of his alleged actions, then HE should be mae to pay for it, and not I !!

Franco Farrugia

Jul 16th 2010, 10:33

Let me state that it is right and fitting that action should be taken to correct the harm that has been done against the tourist in question. A tourist visits a country to relax and enjoy him/herself - a guest in our country is vulnerable and thus has to be given the utmost attention.
However, my main point today is: is it ok for local people to be treated shabbily by those giving a service, but not when it comes to tourists? Let me explain myself: I am understanding that the driver in question is well-known for his ... well, manners. So, why wasn't he withdrawn from the service BEFORE this had to happen? The way I am undersanding thing is this: it doesn't matter if such bad manners and violence are shown to local people; such Wild Wild West people can get away with it; but not when it happens to tourists; le, hemmhekk umbaghad noqomsu. And why did we react? Because the tourist in question had the balls to see this out or because of the bad deed itself? I think I have given questions which deserve a thorough discussion. A mature one, though.

Kendrick Bondin

Jul 16th 2010, 10:33

Honestly this was really well handed by Dr. De Marco.
His speech is true, I mean we need tourists & Malta is investing a lot to attractthem. Then we have someone like this & all of us Maltese are labelled all the same.

I think this was an excellent response to what happened.