Austin Gatt has said often enough of late that he will not be contesting the next election.

Did I hear a huge sigh of relief from the public (both blue and red)? Did that huge sigh of relief include the Prime Minster’s?

I ask because Gonzi’s “bulldog” – a self-confessed infallible – has become the government’s biggest embarrassment, with a series of faux pas decisions in all his ministries in this Administration, such as the Delimara power station contract and the cruel leap-in-one-go of the utility bills. Not forgetting the huge and unnecessary rise in the meter charge. After all, who do the meters benefit most, if not the water and electricity authority to bill us for our consumption?

But the biggest gaucherie was in his current final ministry with the reorganisation of the public transport system. There is no denying it was a much-needed exercise for two reasons: First and foremost to take control away from the owner/drivers, who had become a law unto themselves. While there were many who were honest, helpful and civil, an even greater number were obnoxious, rude, short-tempered and dishonest, especially where tourists were concerned.

Secondly, there was the problem of the noxious fumes which at times choked pedestrians or anyone driving behind the buses. The government and the Transport Authority could have exercised their powers by fining or banning smoking buses, but they did not have the bottle to do so.

So quite rightly, Dr Gatt decided to give Malta a decent public transport service to enable people – as he put it – to leave their cars in the garage and take the bus. Naturally there was the tender process (something many were wary about following the Delimara controversy).

Arriva were chosen: Arriva, the company that ruined most of the routes it operated in the UK, where people bitterly complain about its service or lack of it! The bane of Scotland, Arriva brought with it the bendy-buses, the very same ones thrown out of London because of their unsuitability.

They didn’t work out in London, with its wide streets and highways, so they brought them to little old Malta!

Dr Gatt had plenty of time with his team of “experts” to execute all preparations for the day Arriva arrived. But as it is with this proud – or is it conceited? – minister who is all huff and puff, it all went sadly awry.

All the problems experienced since the new system was launched, Dr Gatt put at Arriva’s feet. But it was not Arriva who planned new routes which made journeys resemble Malta tours; and it was not Arriva who promised new bus shelters complete with modern technology to keep passengers informed.

In an interview with The Times on July 7, when asked why the promised shelters at the new termini never materialised, Teflon Gatt blamed the contractors but promised these would be in situ “over the next two weeks”. Three weeks later and people waiting for the bus at the Belle Vue terminus in Mellieħa still only have the frames of the two bus shelters, with no roof or side panels to shade people from the scorching sun.

And it wasn’t Arriva who put such ridiculously nonsensical names on bus stops, such as Alcapone in Mellieħa because there is a garage so named opposite; or shortened destination names such as Dud (worms) for Għar id-Dud. But we have got used to the fact it is never Dr Gatt’s fault when things go wrong. The honourable gentleman definitely does not subscribe to the collocation “the buck stops here”.

It was his blueprint which produced the chaos. But this is Malta, where ministers are made of Teflon. Nothing ever sticks to them, so there is never ever a need to do the honourable thing (as in other countries) and take responsibility and resign.

Still, let us hope that Lawrence Gonzi will not move him to another ministry before the next election, when we can all say au revoir to Austin Gatt and breathe a sigh of relief.