Police file charges against bus driver

The police have filed charges against the bus driver who allegedly attacked a Spanish diver on holiday when she asked for change.

The suspect, who has been suspended by Transport Malta, will face court proceedings after Isabel Reymundo Cuesta acc­used him of acting aggressively to her and to a friend of hers.

Ms Reymundo Cuesta, who was so furious with what had happened, that at first she vowed never to return to Malta, has welcomed the news.

“Yes, I am satisfied because the Maltese authorities were interested in the case. This is enough for me,” she said when contacted on Wednesday.

She had already gone back on her promise not to visit the island again after she was offered an apology and a complimentary holiday by the tourism authority.

The tourist had complained that on June 29, the driver of a bus operating route 27 to Marsaxlokk insulted her and refused to give her change when she gave him €1 to pay for two tickets that cost 94c. She said the driver even tried to throw her off the vehicle.

She had informed a police officer stationed at the Valletta bus terminus and wrote a letter to The Times saying she was “shocked” and angry at the incident.

It is not known what charges were filed against the bus driver or when he will be arraigned. Questions sent to the police were still unanswered at the time of writing.

Public Transport Association president Victor Spiteri said he was not aware that charges had been filed adding that, if that were the case, then the bus driver could not face proceedings before the association’s disciplinary board. “It’s either one or the other. We can’t hear the case if the police go ahead,” he said. The PTA represents bus owners and drivers.

However, either way, it was very positive that action was taken, he said. “Of course, I think it is positive. Even we took it seriously and were going to bring him before the board,” Mr Spiteri said.