Matthew Xuereb
Bus drivers' consortium is favourite
Government hopes to sign contract by end of September
A consortium in which nearly 200 of the current bus drivers and owners have a share is the preferred bidder for the new public transport service, The Sunday Times has learnt.
The Arriva Malta Consortium is one of two bidders still in the race for the 10-year public transport contract. Its bid is €42 million cheaper than its competitor, Transdev Plus.
Arriva Malta and Transdev Plus are two of the four bidders that had originally submitted a tender for the multi-million euro contract.
A spokesman for the Transport Ministry refused to confirm which of the two was proclaimed preferred bidder but instead insisted that no negotiations with any of the two consortiums were being held.
"The adjudication process of the bus services tender is still subject to appeal and the process is therefore not yet concluded. No organisation has therefore yet been invited to start negotiations. While the appeals' period remains open, we prefer not to make any further comments on the process," the spokesman said.
Many had heaved a sigh of relief when they learnt that the government was planning to overhaul the public transport service, especially because they felt a number of unruly drivers would be driven out for good.
Arriva Malta has a mix of Maltese and foreign interests. The 193 members of the Public Transport Association got together and formed the company Malta Land Transport plc and then teamed up with Arriva, which operates public transport services in various European countries, and the Tumas Group.
One of Britain's top transport companies, Arriva has bus and train operations in 12 European countries.
French consortium Transdev Plus, the other shortlisted bidder for the public transport contract, is made up of Transdev, which runs public transport services across Europe, the Gasan Group, and CVA Technology Ltd which operates the controlled vehicle access system in Valletta.
The adjudication process had stalled for some time earlier this year when one of the bidders lodged an appeal after failing to make it through to the next stage.
In a decision last month, the Public Contracts Appeals Board dismissed the appeal and the financial offers of the two remaining bidders were opened. The bidders were invited to set their claim for the total subsidy they expected to be paid by the government over the 10-year contract period.
Transdev Plus Consortium asked for an average of €11.7 million annually. Arriva Malta Consortium asked for an average of €7.5 million per year.
Unlike the current subsidy system, which is open-ended and subject to fluctuations, the fixed subsidy will no longer expose the government to increased costs in subsidisation if the number of commuters decreases.
The bids included detailed business plans and financial projections to substantiate the offer made by the bidders.
The financial bids are being assessed by the Core Evaluation Committee that is assisted by external financial consultants.
The government is hoping the 10-year contract will be signed by the end of September.
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maria curmi
Jul 31st 2010, 18:41
Arriva Arriva back to the past The 193 members of the Public Transport Association got together and formed the company Malta Land Transport plc and then teamed up with Arriva, is this a change !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Fenech
Jul 27th 2010, 13:13
"The Arriva Malta Consortium is one of two bidders .... Its bid is €42 million cheaper than its competitor, Transdev Plus."
Since they'll be employing the old bus owners (most of whom are the infamous Maltese bus drivers) they should consider employing wild baboons to slash their costs even further. After some training they'll do the job better and will surely be more friendly and polite than the majority of the present (and future) bus drivers.
LAUGHABLE!!!!
Joe Fenech
Jul 26th 2010, 15:31
A few things surprise (!!) me here:
1) How is it that people know that the consortium is favourite? Leak, favouritism...?
2) How could one even possibly imagine to re-employ the same drivers most of whom are illitereate, savage, unsightly, and have no clue of hospitality.
These drivers and their moving junks are not only an embarassment for Malta, but they have been given huge sums of money for:
1) their vehicles - buses that are only worth a couple of hundred euros at the scrap yard.
2) their pay off after providing the most embarassing, inefficient, dangerous transport service in one could possibly think of for many decades!
So, BRAVO - the Maltese are going to have to pay more money for an equally crappy service, equally crappy buses laden with Elvises and Madonnas, and equally savage drivers!
Only someone with a pair of very strong hand could mastermind such a farse!
Peter P. Webster
Jul 27th 2010, 15:08
Obviously AMC is the favourite bidder, they are 4.2M Euro cheaper for the first 10 year than Transdev. But 'Transport Malta' is now caught in a trap set by AMC and their 200 future share holders (and former line bus licence holders). First they gave in (I take it afraid for another strike etc.) and increased the 'offer' to buy back the licences to 108,000 Euro (x508 = 55M Euro!). These bus owners must have agreed with AMC to bring this money to the 'kitty' and together with an extra input from the other local share holder(s) -who stand to gain big spin-offs - AMC could put in a low financial offer for this tender, in line with the current subsidy already paid by the government. So suppost a better service for 'more-or-less' the same money; looks like a win-win situation ... where is the catch??
Mike Nash
Jul 25th 2010, 21:20
You'll all soon be eating your words when your beloved buses are being driven by that lot from Hal-Far.
And don't think I'm joking!
Furthermore, it occurs to me that most of you that comment don't like buses, full-stop. Regardless of how modern they are. Oh, and by the way. The modern junk will use twice as much fuel, and the drivers won't own them so, seriously, do you really think standards of driving will magically improve? Erm, I've got news for you. It won't.
It pains me to say it, but much as I love Malta and its wonderful people, I'm afraid you're all soon going to witness the biggest disaster ever to hit your bus system. And then you'll really have something to moan about.
EU intervention doesn't equal progress - it means the end of the Malta we know and love.
MN
Joe Fenech
Jul 26th 2010, 15:45
What nonsense? Are you English?
A driver should be a driver not a bus owner, cleaner, driver, mechanic. A driver take a bus from a garage in the morning and puts in back in the evening. At night the servic epeople clean and service the vehicle and get it ready for the next run.
A. Azzopardi
Jul 25th 2010, 20:45
Incredible. I can't find one comment in favour. That says it all.
Michael Debono
Jul 25th 2010, 19:54
Surprise surprise. Absolutely brilliant,you couldn't make this up.So nothing will change.Same bad manners same rubbish service same old busses
M Cauchi
Jul 25th 2010, 19:42
This is a blow to our country and its infrastructure! Not to mention our tourism that is waning, one of the main reasons are thanks to our ever so (in)famous unruly and rude bus drivers. All this for choosing a cheaper solution, (Dear Ministry, cheaper isnt always better you know, and you have to invest to get quality tourists) What could this deal have written all over it? I leave you readers to conclude...though no change, again, we paid millions of Euros on compensation for nothing.
And I think I know why the bid came in €42 million cheaper, is it because they know they ll get the money in other ways in the 10 years to come? Again, I leave you to conclude. To the government...Tourism is one of our main resources and Malta has a bad name for getting around (it is already tough that we drive on the other side of the road than mainland Europe), please I urge you to consider someone foreign albeit expensive (we can still afford a slight increase in fares, they are still cheap) and get a service to rely and be proud of.
E. Azzopardi
Jul 25th 2010, 19:31
Having given them all that money, the government should have demanded that , AT LEAST, they try to keep the buses from emitting all that smoke , until the "new reformed!" transport comes into force. But no, clouds of smoke everywhere. But then we can always blame it on the Sahara, I suppose.
And, it is a 10 year contract with a 10 year job guarantee! Very nice, thank you very much.
This consortium is already favourite. I suggest that there should be a poll asking the people what they think of the new transport system if this consortium gets the contract.
Emmanuel Caruana
Jul 25th 2010, 19:09
Please shoot me in the head.
John Mehdi
Jul 25th 2010, 19:06
Biċċa bħal din ma nistax inniżżilha, dan l-infiq ta' flus biex nibqgħu msallbin bl-istess problemi tal-imgħoddi! Għalfejn dil-battikata kollha. Ser jiġri eżattament bħalma ġara fl-isptar il-ġdid, bini ġdid u sabiħ li xorta ma ħelisniex minn problemi qodma. Sur Ministru jien żgur li ma nifhimx daqsek iżda naħseb li biex teħles mill-għanqbut, trid l-ewwel nett teħles mill-brimb. Naħseb li l-maġġoranza tal-Maltin iddejqu minn trasport li jirredikolahom u jagħmlilhom għajb mal-barranin, iddejqu minn ċerti xufiera li jittrattawhom ta' rmixk, iddejqu minn dan it-trasport pubbliku u jridu xi ħaġa ġdida mill-qiegħ u MHUX KEJK QADIM, IMNAWWAR U MDEWWED B'KISJA ĠELU ĠDIDA!! Jien nibda nemmen li t-trasport pubbliku miexi 'l quddiem, meta nibda nara l-membri parlamentari jużaw it-trasport pubbliku (bħal ma jsir f'bosta pajjiżi oħra)u mhux jinsaqu ġo karozzi lussużi bl-arja kkundizzjonata!
j abela
Jul 25th 2010, 18:33
so why did the government give them the multinmillion euro payoff ?!?!?!
now I hope that the clouds of cancerous emmissions are abolished
Alan Barrett
Jul 25th 2010, 19:59
Arriva seem very confident of gaining the contract.They have advertised(internally) for driving instructors with articulated bus experiece for secondment to Malta.Arriva are set to become part of a far bigger organisation on the 20th August 2010,in a £1.58billion pound deal,when they sell out to German state railway company Deutsche Bahn.
Joe Borg
Jul 25th 2010, 18:28
Jekk qed nifhem sew ser ikollna nibqgħu nitqannew bl-istess xufiera li kif kulħadd, jaf bosta minnhom huma mogħnija b'bosta virtujiet li jagħmlu t-trasport pubbliku tagħna l-iżjed wieħed tal-qamel fl-Ewropa. Ser nibqgħu naraw xufiera li jgħajtu u jidgħu f'wiċċ il-passiġġieri; xufiera li ma jagħtukx bqija u jekk titlobilhom iħebbu għalik; xufiera żmattati; xufiera li jpejpu u jużaw il-mowbajl waqt il-vjaġġ; xufiera li jsuqu bl-addoċċ u li jqisu t-triq bħala tagħhom; xufiera li jkomplu jsuqu waqt li l-passiġġieri jippruvaw jitilgħu jew jinżlu l-istaffa; xufiera li jirraġunaw ma' xi ħadd mill-passiġġieri u jaqilgħu għajnejhom minn fuq it-triq għal ħinijiet twal; xufiera li jew isuqu bilmod daqs fekruna jew inkella jtellgħulek l-istonku f'ħalqek bil-veloċita' li jgħaddu biha; xufiera li jaqbżu l-vjaġġi jew jitilqu fil-ħin li jridu, insomma l-lista ma tispiċċa qatt.
Għalfejn ir-riforma ministru? Konna u għadna ngħixu f'pajjiż tal-mickey mouse!
d. borg
Jul 25th 2010, 17:56
Is this the joke of the year? Same people, same lousy service. Is the minister trying to be funny? We changed the whole system to get a complete overhaul not more of the same.
E. Abela
Jul 25th 2010, 17:55
What a let down if the above news is true. Someone told me 'dream on' when I explained about the proposed public transport reform. I now say he was 100% correct. As the English say 'we have been had' or rather 'taken for a ride'. Thanks for nothing.
Muscat Pat
Jul 25th 2010, 17:53
The drivers are being paid thousands of Euros so that their company will continue with the old ways? More subsidies,same drivers, same arrogance, same problems? If this is the best that GonziPN can come up with ?
j micallef
Jul 25th 2010, 17:52
As one witty columnist put elsewhere it in today's issue, the wild-west scenes and tourist-bashing anecdotes we are so frequently regaled with on our busses may be an attraction in themselves to visitors who seek something outlandish in their holiday destinations, which may be otherwise dull, depressingly civil and annoyingly peaceful. Perhaps the Ministry is very well aware of this gold-mine tourist niche market where visitors are thrillingly threatened to be thrown off busses if they ask for their change, when choosing to run headlong in declaring the present lot of our cherished drivers as preferred bidders. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, eh!!?
J Borg
Jul 25th 2010, 17:45
Dear Alan Cox, John Hughes, JosephbCalleja and others. YES, I share your same thoughts. Most probably, the cowboy who was so nice with the Spanish tourist will be reinstated in the new service. He is NOT the only cowboy, as we saw from the famous strike, and from the many comments made on this page recently.
My suspicion is that this is a GOLDEN opportunity for those who feel that under 'another' new management, they will surely not qualify. So, by becoming one of the 200 members, they secure a place in the new service.
Another thing! If the eight gentlemen in the picture are ALL drivers, why is it that only three 'seem' to be wearing some sort of uniform? I hope a new service will include a smart, respectable uniform, with a consideration for our harsh summer, of course!
CZARB
Jul 25th 2010, 17:20
Same bus drivers, same bus owners, higher fees. Well done Austin.
A Bezzina
Jul 25th 2010, 17:17
Skond Il-Ministru Austin Gatt, il €53miljun li inghataw lil tal-linja mhux mil-bwiet tat-taxpayer hergin imma mill-operat ta' Transport Malta (ADT). Li ma spiegax il-ministru hu min fejn gej dan l-operat. Xi manna mis-semma jew min xi kappel magiku. Transport Malta fl-2009 gabret aktar min €30 miljun AKTAR milli gabret fl-2008 f'taxxi ta'registrazjoni ta vetturi privati. €30 miljun bla misthijja. Meta iz-zieda fil-kontijiet tad-dawl w ilma qabes €10miljun hadna gimaghat shah nipruvaw nigustifikawhom ha nikkalmaw il-poplu.
Ben Cutajar
Jul 25th 2010, 17:11
One small question to the article writer please: How did Transdev plus proposed in thier expensive bid to drive the 300 odd vehicles around Malta and Gozo? from past Minister Gatt Comments, the new reform will need 700 bus drivers (Not Owners)
Ben Cutajar
Jul 25th 2010, 17:06
1: The 200 persons who teamed up with Arriva Malta are not Bus drivers but in fact Bus Owners, The writer of this article may not know the difference between a Driver and Bus Owner, or wanted to misguide the general public.
2: The article writer did not do his field work carefully and have not investigate what is the quantum of shareholding that the New Co of BUS OWNERS will be taking in Arriva Malta Consortium.
As one of the comments to this article, lets all sit and wait for at least one or two years and if the system is not improved, we can all criticize the government decision, one thing I do not tolerate in life, writers with personal agenda.
I sincerely hope, that I am not judged by any of the persons who place their comments as they already found the new reform failed, and I would be found guilty before standing trial.
Joe Fenech
Jul 26th 2010, 15:52
MANY BUS DRIVERS ARE ALSO BUS OWNERS !
C. Farrugia
Jul 25th 2010, 17:04
This reform is bound to fail. With the involment of the old bus operators we will remain exactly as we were. Back to square one. Old owners, second hand buses and everything will remain as is. Tenders should not be judged only on price but also on quality. As usual this article by the Times is only to prepare the general public of what the final desicion is. What a let down. Has the adjuducating committee analysed why the difference in price. Is is the wages to be paid to the bus drives, the buses to be used (new or second hand) or what?
monica muscat
Jul 25th 2010, 16:07
I happened to be present at a meeting where the Hon. A. Gatt and his assistant Mr. Delia, described in detail how the new (intended) system will work. My hopes for a better future for our Public Transport sored high! A superb electronically managed system which (like Mater Dei) should prove to be 'state of the art'.
Now this! The news that probably we should be stuck with some of the old bus drivers! What guarantee do we have that we do not get the same arrogant group on our buses? Besides, how prepared or capable are these men to adept to working within an electronically run Bus System?
One suggestion. Buy out all the old men and replace with women drivers. I am sure they will prove a better burgain. - Less arrogance, more neatness, more efficiency - better work all round. You get many women drivers all over European countries. Why not in Malta?
D. A . Agius
Jul 25th 2010, 15:58
To All,
As if you think after all your comments that should the higher bidder be chosen it would not employ any of the current drivers!
Look at the names closely, not much choice in my opinion.
Unless an independent transport watchdog whose payments are done of the basis of factual efficiency, precision of service, cleanliness of buses, decency of service etc is set up, any consortium chosen would be have a free for all in our transport system.
The current preferred bidder in the lead will definitely get lots more flak than the other, but if the government says, "The people don't want you" and opts for the second bidder, we shall only pay more, because the preferred bidder will have an easy pick of unemployed bus drivers/ owners who will obviously enough be employed by the successful bidder and then here we go again.
Bus users (unfortunately I long ago decided to use it only about four times a year), should be the ones pushing the service to become good by being empowered to report to an independent watchdog (independent of both government and service operator) to investigate and apply huge fines on the spot.
People, wake up!
Joe Attard
Jul 25th 2010, 15:36
What A Joke !!!
John Hughes
Jul 25th 2010, 15:34
So we will still have the same rude drivers that have no respect for other users that instead of pulling in the reserved space at bus stops they stop in the middle of the road!!!!
Correct me if i'm wrong but did it not cost tax payers money to have the public service upgraded??
Joseph Cauchi
Jul 25th 2010, 15:31
From what I have just read, this “new” transport system does not augur well for a system we all had hoped for!
Is this going to be just a matter of change of name and still remain with those clumsy, arrogant and mischievous drivers?
And what about those Millions of Euros paid to the owners of the same and old transport system, when the same owners who have netted those thousands of Euros are again investing the same monies in the “new” system; and all at our taxpayers’ money?
Malta needs a RADICAL CHANGE in its transport system. Full Stop!
If what I perceive will come to pass, then I and many thousands of Maltese commuters will be utterly DISAPPOINTED!
JC.
Francesca Mamo
Jul 25th 2010, 15:05
Din il-mossa se tkun kapolavur iehor tal-"Genju tal-Partit Taghna" - l-Onor. Austin Gatt. X'ma nhobbuhx lil Austin taghna!
Joseph Galea
Jul 25th 2010, 14:29
Surely this is a joke! How can one hand the system back to those who were the main problem of the old system? This is not a matter of just selecting the lowest bidder. One usually gets what one pays for.
alan cox
Jul 25th 2010, 14:22
The Minister of Tourism sends an apolgy to the Spanish tourists and the Spanish people on behalf of the Maltese people for the the rude behaviour of our bus drivers. The Gov then goes on and pays these cowboys a huge sum of money (our tax money) to get rid of the shamefull service. this service is surely the worst one in the whole of the EU and beyond.Now the gov is paying once again these cowboys to keep it up.I am certain that come election time this episode of "only in Malta" will been remembered by the electorate.
Phil Pryce
Jul 25th 2010, 14:22
It was reported in the British press that Arriva intend to bring around 60 'bendy buses' from London, where the roads were deemed too narrow for then. Makes great sense to bring them to Malta where the roads are soooo much wider. What a joke!!
Denis A. Darmanin
Jul 25th 2010, 14:11
The Maltese saying is right, 'l-irhis gholi' (what's cheap ends expensive), or thereabouts.
Same busses, same drivers, same system, same arogance, rudeness and bullying (by a few) and same ...............you name it. For a much needed better public service and reform, the powers that be opted for the 'cheapest offer syndrome' but for other projects we seem to grossly over budget. But then again, this decision was somehow much expected!
Charles Micallef
Jul 25th 2010, 13:55
."Bus drivers' consortium is favourite".................
..............and we get more of the same crap service!
Oh what a future!
joe scerri
Jul 25th 2010, 13:53
Joke of the century
G.C.Micallef
Jul 25th 2010, 13:33
Help! It is a case of from the frying pan into the fire.
M.Cachia
Jul 25th 2010, 13:07
Great not only do we have the same preople unning the busses (just look at the picture it really does say a thousand words) but we also have them combined with Arriva, which is the worst bus service available in the UK, with dirty busses that are always late or even don't turn up at times. Last time I tried to use an Arriva bus I ended up 2 hours late and had to walk to another bus stop to catch a different bus service.
Mike O'Hara
Jul 26th 2010, 14:16
I can't agree that Arriva is as bad as that. Not for nothing is First Group known as "Worst Bus". Some of their vehicles round here (no disrespect intended) look like they have been rejected by Malta! At least you won't have to suffer that, as they aren't in the running.
Mike
Gordon Zammit
Jul 25th 2010, 12:57
Hope the government won’t open a tender for fashion stylists to design the bus drivers’ uniforms. An idea from the above photo would be fantastic! It’s cool to wear under the sunny summer sky, comfortable, sleeveless (for better manoeuvring their vehicles), multicolour so they will be camouflaged among the population, and stinky (so clients run to their seats and do not talk to the driver while driving – health and safety). The country, thus, we tax payers would at least avoid pouring in another buck to the millions already paid. Thanks 'Times' for this wounderfull photo. You helped to us tax payers for sure!
Joseph Borg
Jul 25th 2010, 12:47
Lanqas jekk joffru is-servizz b'xejn ma nikkonsidra li nqabbad l-istess nies ghat tarnsport pubbliku. Dawn in- nies kellom ic cans kollu biex jipprovdu servizz ahjar imma qatt ma rnexxew. Huma il- kagun li hawn ammont ezagerat ta karozzi privati fit toroq. Kulhadd jipreferi juza l-karozza tieghu u ma johlomx li jirkeb tal- linja. Issa li saru sinjuri...... joqodu id-dar u8 jhalli lil min hu kapaci jghamel xoghol ahjar minnhom!!!!!!
Mr B J Simmons
Jul 25th 2010, 12:46
SAME BUSES, SAME DRIVERS, SAME 'SERVICE' and probably higher fares and the Maltese taxpayer has paid HOW MANY MILLION EUROS FOR WHAT? Well, actually, it seems, for NOTHING.
I suspect that the real reason is that when the other bidders investigated, they decided that they would never be able to improve the service with the same drivers and sensibly pulled out.
I'd use a bicycle on my next visit if I wouldn't get caught in a grating or get flattened by the driving skills of many Maltese and all the pot holes!
Oh dear, I feel so sorry for you all! At least I only have to use them for 2 or 3 weeks each year!
WHAT A FARCE!
Mario Sammut
Jul 25th 2010, 12:37
Look at them in picture ! These are the consortium that are supposed to be the pioneers of the Transport reform in this Mickey Mouse island . Not one of them is wearing a decent uniform , swanning around their territory as if they are untouchables . Well they are right for having that attitude . They have spent years holding successive goverments at ransom , always getting what they want . But the cherry on the cake must be the 55 million of our hard earned cash ending up in their already rich pockets for obsolete busses that have already earned them a fortune over the years. Not only that , but it looks like that they will still be running the same service camouflaged in a different name. Now I ask . If these illiterate dropouts were not able to offer us a decent service before , how come they are allowed to form a consortium to be at the forefront of a much needed
Joseph N Attard
Jul 25th 2010, 12:36
The writing has long been on the wall. If the tender documents did not include this sentence: "Present drivers, and whoever represents them, are not eligible to apply.", then the farce was scripted from day one. We Maltese will be hundreds of thousands of Euros poorer for nothing. And in this case, surely "Il-passat HU garanzija tal-futur".
M Privitelli
Jul 25th 2010, 12:11
Let us give a chance to this new system to get to work. I give it one year and if no improvement takes place I will then expect the transport minister to resign and be investigated over waste of tax payers' money. The present system is shambolic, unsafe and makes ridicule of the island which has so much to offer to its citizens and tourists. At present is a public disservice. I am hoping for a change and willing to give a chance.
W Spencer
Jul 25th 2010, 16:00
NO !!! Now is the time to stop this ludicrous Government decision !
When are the protest marches going to begin, when are all the petitions being handed in ?? LOL !!
We ALL know the reason for this so called ' new transport system ' is because the present system / service does not work !! So what is the answer, well thats obvious, give the present shambolic owners / drivers loads of compensation cash, award them with a TEN YEAR contract, and pay them millions of euros in subsidies. Do not under any circumstances critisise them about dress codes, civility, punctuality, personal hygiene, using mobile phones and smoking while driving, wreckless driving, or any other minor faults they may have !!
Strewth..... That would be as cheeky as asking what the police actually do during working hours, or expecting building contractors / developers to wait until they receive permission before starting excavation / building !!! Things never change, shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, comes to mind.
Will the Transport Minister resign if things go very wrong.............
J Mizzi
Jul 25th 2010, 11:57
Public Transport is not just bus drivers. It's the whole system that needs an overhaul, and I hope that this is what the government has set out to do. This means better, more efficient routes, better, more efficient buses, permanent, to-the-minute bus schedules, an easy and effective fare payment system, removal of bus stops every 50 metres, and yes, why not, polite, educated and well-informed drivers.
If this whole package is delivered, who are we to complain?
Raymond Farrugia
Jul 25th 2010, 11:56
What a disgrace. I have no confidence in these owner-drivers and it will be a long long time before I would consider using public transport. I'm sure there are thousands out there like me.
Paul Barrett
Jul 25th 2010, 11:50
Whichever, the whole system was and is doomed from before the start when those already involved in running the current failed system were guaranteed to remain employed in the new system. The icing on the cake is to fork out 50 odd million to buy off the current bus driver / owners working the inefficient system and then even consider a tender from them. Are not the Gasan Group, and CVA Technology Ltd both involved in making money by keeping cars on the road, is this not a sort of conflict of interest?
A mad hatters tea party makes more sense.
Charles Alamango
Jul 25th 2010, 11:47
This is too good to be true!!!! Imagine we will have most of the 'old ' drivers cum bus owners back on the route dealing with tourists/students/old people in their lovng affable caring ways. We will not spend money to teach them the labyrinth of Maltese roads and we will also SAVE forty two million euros. Fantastic deal. We will also subsidise them for ten years and they will PROMISE the service will not be disrupted for any reason!! By the way we will also have their unique uniforms to admire!!! This is an admirable deal, First we pay them off handsomely to get rid of their old buses and the bad apples, then we give them a new contract worth millions. Somebody is administrating public funds ingeniously ......CHEERS
ABezzina
Jul 25th 2010, 17:20
Mind your language! Good choice of words though ;-)
J.Tonna
Jul 25th 2010, 11:37
Li hemm tajjeb hu li issa jekk jitilfu l-passiggieri il-gvern ma jkunx opbbligat izidilhom is-sussidju. Allura sta ghalihom li jibzghu ghal passiggieri li juzawhom.
Aldo Gatt
Jul 25th 2010, 14:02
It is just so annoying for a government to be so suicidal in such a vital sector on which other areas of the economy depend. Unfortunately public transport has no significant competition apart from the private car and that cannot sustain any more due to the already high levels of traffic. So what the Maltese can look forward to in the future is a vicious circle of higher taxation on car travel to discourage it, fueled by increasing public transport cost, without any meaningful improvement in service. The consortium will still hold the government/public to ransom and we'll be back to square one.
r.gauci
Jul 25th 2010, 21:33
Is-sussidju li se jinghatalhom huwa aktar milli qed jinghatalhom issa w tinsiex li se jiehdu 55 miljun ewro kumpens allura ma jimpurtahomx jekk is-servizz jitjiebx jew le l-aktar ghal dawk li fadlilhom anqas minn 10 snin ghal penzjoni ! Gewwa x-xilep ghalihom u tbaswir bhal ma sar fil-passat ha jibqa jsir ! Il-flus ghandhom jigu nvestiti f'servizz kompletament gdid specjalment f'pagi tajba w mhux 35ewro kuljum kif se jkunu ,halli nies b' livell ta' edukazzjoni tajjeb jithajjru ghal dan it-tip ta' xoghol u mhux nies illetterati biss jamluh bir-rispett kollhu!
Joseph Agius
Jul 25th 2010, 11:33
Seems PN is starting to imitate PL......nothing changes!...and change nothing! The art of stagnation Maltese style.
K Fenech
Jul 25th 2010, 11:33
Hmmmm.....very interesting....am I right in saying that these are the same people that got subsidies from government (our taxes) in order to liberalise the market !!!!!! If I'm not mistaken they were already given around EUR55 million as compensation!!!!!
Is this going to be taken into consideration??????
Michael Baldry
Jul 25th 2010, 11:18
It is for sure that once they have won the tender and taken over the service they will have the government over a barrel.They will then rule the roost and renegotiate the areas they don't like like safety and discipline changes.We will then end up with the same old bad service and drivers who think they are gods and don't give a hoot for customers and regulations. The lunatics are taking over the asylum!
E Gatt
Jul 25th 2010, 11:07
Let’s hope that the decision is not final, and that the choice will not only be based on the cheapest offer.
I think the general public’s mood is for a total and radical reform of the public transport system.
Gordon Sammut
Jul 25th 2010, 11:01
I wouldn't be surprised that the bus driver involved in the incident with the Spanish tourist is one of those 200 in the consortium. TM is a joke and so is the ministry looking after the transport service!! Stop pulling our legs!!!
Joe Camilleri
Jul 25th 2010, 10:59
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Anthony Borg
Jul 25th 2010, 21:27
very good comparison Mr.Camilleri...it fitted the situation well!
Pity our spineless government is neither a good wine connoisseur nor an avid reader of the KJV version.
J Galea
Jul 25th 2010, 10:59
Hang on, somebody tell me I'm misunderstanding something here. The authorities shelled out taxpayers money on a grand scale to pay off the licence holders and then accepted a bid from the same licence holders, which bid appears to be receiving the nod to provide the service? How does one explain this?
R.Gauci
Jul 25th 2010, 11:28
The answer to your question is ONLY IN MALTA !!
Ray Buhagiar
Jul 25th 2010, 11:39
M'ghaddewx mill-bieb u se jaghddu mit-tieqa. Sew fhimt, Sur Galea. Tidher li din kienet biss loghba bejn il-hbieb tal-hbieb bhas-soltu.
J. Camilleri
Jul 25th 2010, 10:55
This is a joke - those who have been incapable of providing a good service over the years should not even be considered! It is precisely because they have not been able to provide a proper and good service that an alternative is finally being sought. It is what is being promised - we, the users, want a good, reliable, clean, respectful, non-polluting bus service - definitely not just more of the same, and paying the incapable ones for the privilege as well. And not in the distant future either, but NOW!
N. Borg
Jul 25th 2010, 10:54
sure....Arriva Malta it's 42million euro cheaper than TransDev Plus..... but that means LESS QUALITY INVESTMENT................ and about TWO HUNDRED of the current REDNECK RECKLESS DRIVERS!!! Keep it up Maltese Govt...... i thought this reform was to finally get "QUALITY SERVICE" for the Maltese public.
Jonathan Brimmer
Jul 25th 2010, 10:49
Same drivers, same service!
Gordon Sammut
Jul 25th 2010, 10:34
What a joke!!! What a Reform!! Is this the reform we deserve? Same old....service!
Paul Caruana
Jul 25th 2010, 10:29
Well, I hope I am wrong, but who wants to bet that the (bad) public bus service will not remain the same...except for a significant increase in the bus fares, and never mind the substantial annual public subsidy given!
It should be interesting to see how much more (or less) bus patronage will be with the new system in place
Albert Bezzina
Jul 25th 2010, 16:59
Bus patrinage will increase 'BY HOOK AND BY CROOK'!!
Ladies and gentlemen, await a salvo of passenger car restricting measures when the new service starts such as reduction of available parking spaces, restricted parking and restricted access, resident parking schemes, warden onslought with re-interpretation of laws. In effect commuters will be bullied onto the bus service, not because of environmental concerns but to give the private operator a healthy profit. These measures could have been implemented years ago but that could have reversed the decline in patronage and would have been inconvenient to run the old service into the ground - which it deserved anyway!