The opposition will be calling for the resignation of Transport Minister Austin Gatt for what it describes as “a chaotic” public transport reform when Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess.

Labour transport spokesman Joe Sammut yesterday gave notice of a motion to the Clerk of the House that recognises the courteous drivers and air conditioned buses as “possibly the only positive aspect” of the reform.

Riding on a wave of discontent that has swelled since the beginning of July when the new bus service run by Arriva started operating, the motion says commuters are disappointed because they have to pay higher fares for lengthier bus journeys and complicated routes.

The motion lists other complaints: lengthier waiting times at bus stops; the removal of direct routes from villages to Mater Dei Hospital; a discriminatory tariff structure that is being questioned by the EU; and a new “tax” on the park-and-ride service.

Dr Sammut said the reform did not seem to have led to lower car use as initially intended and accused “political appointees” of taking wrong decisions that will cost taxpayers more money to rectify.

He cited Sliema’s Bisazza Street fiasco as an example of lack of coordination between ministries that will lead to additional costs for taxpayers. A decision by the Resources Ministry to pedestrianise Bisazza Street was taken after the Transport Ministry had signed the contract with Arriva that included buses driving through the Sliema thoroughfare.

Arriva had to change its routes to fit in with the pedestrianisation project, which led to discussions over compensation.

The motion also says that permanent structures to shelter commuters at the Valletta terminus have not yet been built and a general lack of bus shelters around the island will make life difficult for passengers in the coming winter months.

Dr Sammut blamed Dr Gatt, the minister’s political appointees and Transport Malta’s top management for the wrong decisions and called for their resignation.

The motion also asked for all contracts relating to the public transport reform, including those entered into during the preparatory phases, to be published.