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Friday, November 4, 2011, 08:54

Live - Franco Debono abstains

The House of Representatives will decide the political fate of Transport Minister Austin Gatt today when it votes on an Opposition no confidence motion in the minister. The debate continues up to 8 p.m. It can be heard on FM106.6. The following is a blow-by-blow account in real time.

8.07 p.m. House is adjourned.

8.06 p.m. Speaker gives ruling on his casting vote. He says that according to precedents and supported by Parliamentary practice as noted in the Erskine May, his vote was against the motion.

8.05 p.m. Franco Debono is the only candidate to abstain. Vote result 34 for, 34 against, one abstention.

8.02 p.m. Names of those voting for are now being called.

8.01 p.m. Names of those voting in favour of motion are being called.

8 p.m. Franco Debono says he will be voting according to conscience and to the oath he had taken.

7.56 p.m. Speaker Michael Frendo explains procedure to be taken for vote. Members in favour will first be asked to stand, followed by those against and then those abstaining. 

7.54 p.m. Joseph Muscat concludes speech. Mr Speaker suspends House for a few minutes.

7.50 p.m. Joseph Muscat says it seems the Prime Minister is hostage to the situation, not to say the individual. At a time of crisis, he is only focused on how to solve the problems within his party.

7.45 p.m. Joseph Muscat says responsibility is not being shouldered because neither the minister nor his officials had resigned. He says strategic mistakes had been made. These included the scaling down of the Valletta terminus which is now expanding once again.

7.33 p.m. Joseph Muscat says there is still a pending issue with the EU regarding fares.

7.25 p.m. Opposition leader Joseph Muscat says that whatever happens tonight, the government knows it has a problem. The problem is not Franco Debono but Lawrence Gonzi.

7.20 p.m. Austin Gatt says that in this legislature he has faced four votes of no confidence and six votes of censorship. He says he is strengthened by the Prime Minister's confidence and support, the confidence of the Parliamentary Group and that of the party's roots. He says although he is retiring from politics, he will not stop fighting till the very end.

7.16 p.m. Austin Gatt says Arriva's challenge is of punctuality and regularity. He says there are problems on 14 out of 71 routes, mostly in the mornings. Arriva needs to manage the system better on the road and the ticketing system is not spread enough - bus tickets are now also being sold from post offices.

7.11 p.m. Austin Gatt says the fact that the interchange system was not liked did not mean there should have been resignations. So he did not accept those offered to him from TM's chairman, the head of his secretariat and the technical officers.

7.05 p.m. Austin Gatt says that to have kept old system and added onto it would have meant paying more subsidy and doubling the fares.

6.59 p.m. Austin Gatt says the routes were drawn up by a technical Transport Malta team whose members had degrees in transport together with Halcrow Consultants.

6.57 p.m. Austin Gatt says it was too much to expect to change a 40 year culture in four months. He says that in three months Arriva received 16,400 complaints when it carries an average of 62,000 people a day. 68 per cent were on the service provided by Arriva.

6.53 p.m. Austin Gatt says that bus stops have been increased by 700. He says the last subsidy paid to former owners was 9.6 million euros, now paying Arriva 4.7 million euros.

6.48 p.m. Austin Gatt says the difference in the service can be felt especially in Gozo where the reform has been a major success. Can it be a coincidence that the Opposition's MPs did not speak during the debate, he asks.

6.41 p.m. Austin Gatt says interchanges would have been accepted more had Arriva given a good service as from day one. The fact that 182 drivers did not turn up for work in the first week did not help. He said Malta probably has the newest bus fleet in Europe if not the world. The average age of buses is one year.

6.37 p.m. Austin Gatt says the foreign experts and the former owners, who acted as their consultants, never told the government the routes or waiting time were impossible.

6.33 p.m. Austin Gatt says there is a contract after 40 years which establishes routes, maximum waiting time, fares, subsidy and fines.

6.28 p.m. Austin Gatt says the Opposition agreed with the government that the preparations for the reform were good because it did not oppose anything before July 3.

6.25 p.m. Austin Gatt says 51 entities were consulted. All councils were sent a CD with all the information, including the route network and bus stop names, but only eight replied.

6.22 p.m. Austin Gatt says bus owners were compensated the amount saved in subsidy and a new fleet of Euro V buses was brought over.

6.20 p.m. Transport Minister Austin Gatt says that in 11 hours of debate not one proposal has been made by the Opposition.

6.10 p.m. Joe Mizzi, PL, says cabinet is dishonest and disloyal. Labour’s motion reflects what the people are feeling, which is that the minister should resign. The whole cabinet should resign if they have collective responsibility. Mr Mizzi said this episode also reflected Transport Malta's failure as a regulator.

5.59 p.m. Dr Gonzi says responsibility should be shouldered by cabinet as a whole and not by Dr Gatt on his own because the reform challenge was the whole cabinet's. He says cabinet admits more improvements need to be made to the system. The government is determined to carry out the reform. He says he had not accepted Dr Gatt's resignation offer because it was cabinet's responsibility to see that the reform, which is a work in progress, is successful. Dr Gonzi says he had proposed the setting up of a joint committee to oversee the reform but opposition did not accept the offer.

5.57 p.m. Dr Gonzi says that the motion is not representing the facts. The government acknowledges there are problems and it is dealing with them. It is constantly updating the system and for doing this it is getting flak. He says he shoulders responsibility as Prime Minister.

5.54 p.m. Dr Gonzi says that no member of the opposition referred to Labour's motion. The motion does not say that the whole bus fleet is low floor facilitating accessibility to the elderly, disabled and people carrying children or heavy burdens.

5.50 p.m. PM Lawrence Gonzi says the reform is not a project of just one minister but of the whole government. He assumes responsibility for service.

5.40 p.m. Anthony Zammit (PL) said Transport Minister Austin Gatt had taken the people for a ride, pun intended. He had raised people's expectations, and the higher they were raised, the bigger the disappointment. It was unacceptable that the funds paid to the consultants were not being recouped. Prof Zammit complained that some buses were disembarking passengers too far away from Mater Dei gate and some elderly people had to walk almost 1km.  

5.37 p.m. Censu Galea (PN) said public transport was a vital service and changes to the service would continue to be made as necessary. This reform was in keeping with the PN electoral programme. In contrast, the PL's electoral programme contained just half a line saying that public transport would be strengthened.

5.25 p.m. George Vella (PL) observed that even Austin Gatt had offered to resign, because he realised the confusion which his decisions had caused. But the prime minister had refused the resignation. Dr Gatt had paid good money to consultants who had then ridiculed him, people who probably never boarded a bus. Dr Gatt probably also offered to resign because he too felt the people's hardship. He must have felt embarrassed having to make change after change to the new system. Dr Gatt had realised the damage caused to tourism and the insult made to Maltese migrants who were charged higher fares than fellow Maltese. The minister must had seen the traffic congestion which the reform has caused.

Dr Gatt was therefore right to offer his resignation. It was the prime minister who was irresponsible not to accept the resignation, and this refusal should be explained. Such resignations were common in Europe when ministers erred and there were instances when such people then went on to serve in other posts, Dr Vella said.

5.16 p.m. Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi said the opposition motion was dishonest. Although problems remained in the bus service and the government was determined to solve them, some of the comments made were exaggerated, particularly when MPs claimed that no services existed, when they did. But was needed in this debate was realism. After all, only four months had passed since a 40-year-old system was changed.

5.03 Labour MP Helena Dalli said it was not seriousness to plan a reform for three years and then deliver a flop, and spend thousands of euros on consultancy work. It was no excuse for Arriva to claim it had not known about traffic congestion in Malta. How low could one sink? Mr Martin, the Arriva CEO had defended Dr Gatt. But did anyone really expect him to bite the hand which feeds him. The Labour MP underlined the hardship which the failure of the reform is causing, notably traffic congestion which is disrupting many people's schedules.

4.57 p.m. Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech said that after the 11-hour debate the people would be none the wiser of Labour's policy on public transport. Its only purpose in life was to oppose, rather than to contribute. The opposition was but an armchair critic. Dr Zammit Dimech said for the future he expected courage to ensure that everyone did his duties and the people were given the bus service they expected.

4.51 p.m. Charles Mangion, PL, says that the government should recover the money that had been spent on consultation. The government was given bad advice and should see that the monies are refunded. The Labour MP said this motion was timely and motivated by the need to safeguard commuters and stop arrogance.

4.45 p.m. Frederick Azzopardi, PN, says the reform had been necessary as besides improving the service it was also intended to improve air quality. No one can deny the fact that the number of passengers using the service has increased drastically and this is an indicator that the service has attracted new clients, especially in Gozo.

4.38 p.m. Gavin Gulia, PL, says the reform has failed, at least when it came to routes and this can be seen from the changes being made. The system was introduced in summer and it was the worst advert possible for the tourism industry.

4.25 p.m. Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco says the old system was fossilised with some of the buses being older than the oldest MP, the system promoted inefficiency and a culture of subsidies. It also greatly contributed to pollution. It had been unsustainable and had to be completely changed. It did not serve the needs of the Maltese or tourists.

The new system but no one had complained about the routes, which had been made known from before the system started.  The reform was a process of renewal and he had full confidence in Minister Gatt.

4.18 p.m. Roderick Galdes, PL, notes there are no facilities at the Marsa Park and Ride and the people are frustrated with the service. The reform cost more than €50 million and the people have stopped using Floriana Park and Ride because of the exorbitant fees.

4.07 p.m. Michael Gonzi, PN, says the interchange concept has been mentioned in the Halcrow report since 2005. During a consultation meeting, the minister had said that the reform’s final aim was geared to benefit commuters and the country. He had said that the proposals were not cast in stone and could be fine-tuned.

He says it took his children 1 hour 15 minutes to get from St Paul’s Bay to University. This problem is now being solved with a direct link.

3.58 p.m. Joe Debono Grech, PL, says when he became minister of transport in 1996 he had not found any funds allocated for the new buses that the Nationalist government had promised them.

The new system has confused the people and stagnated traffic. He proposed the organisation of a bus to Mount Carmel Hospital saying the new system will be sending everybody there.

The government, Mr Debono Grech says, made the mistake of taking the advice of people who did not know anything about public transport.

3.45 p.m. Gozo minister Giovanna Debono says the service in Gozo now is much better than it had been prior to the reform. The service is being provided by more comfortable and accessible buses for longer hours and much more frequently.

3.37 p.m. Michael Farrugia, PL, says that although it is positive that the new buses produce lower emissions, the government is at the same time,  increasing emissions  through the development of a power station extension which operates on heavy fuel oil.

The reform, which cost millions of euros, is another in the list of the government’s failed projects which include the shipyards and Smart City.

He hoped the changes will not eventually lead to higher tariffs.

3.31 p.m. Stephen Spiteri, PN, says there are problems in the system but they are being tackled. Routes to university and hospital are being increased. The system has to be become one that is used by more people leading to a reduction in traffic and pollution.

3.20 p.m. Jose Herrera, PL, says that in recent years, more MPs started being reaffirming the principle of the sovereignty of Parliament which had been forgotten. The government’s backbench now more mature and the result of this is that Parliament’s sovereignty and authority has been strengthened. Governments, he said, cannot take their backbench forgranted.

3.10 p.m. Edwin Vassallo, PN, says the vote being requested by the opposition is one against the minister and not for a better transport service. The opposition knows that in a few days the reform will be the success everyone expected it to be.

3.01 p.m. Anthony Agius Decelis, PL, says the new service has brought hardship to the elderly and young people..

Several localities have been badly affected by the new system and trips are now much longer. Do people do not want a comfortable ride around Malta but to get to their destination in time.

2.55 p.m. Joseph Falzon says he is a regular Arriva user. He says that the Opposition’s motion does not aim at improving public service but is an attack on the minister. This can be seen from the fact that it lacked any proposals.

2.48 p.m. Charles Buhagiar, PL, asked whether the contract with Arriva was still binding now that the routes had been changes.

He says that public transport should take users from point A to point B in the shortest possible time. The new service is not doing this and the problem will not be solved by changing the buses. The problem, which is difficult to solve, is the junctions in Maltese roads. So for an efficient transport service, one had to start thinking about alternative systems.

2.42 p.m. Jean Pierre Farrugia, PN, says that although autocriticism is important, this should never hinder party discipline.

He says the reform had been necessary because of the increase in private vehicles which was leading to an increase in pollutants at alarming rates in certain areas.

Less polluting buses had been needed and one can now see that the new buses did not pollute like the old ones did.

2.32 p.m. Noel Farrugia, PL, says the reform was not carried out for the consultants but for those who needed the service. The consultants did not but it was clear that the government was forgetting this.

2.25 p.m. Health Minister Joe Cassar says the opposition is trying to embarrass the government on something the government tried to do right. It is true that there are problems but there is a plan on how these should be tackled.

The reform was preceded by a consultation period and no MPs had expressed their concerns at the time.

He says that changes have already been carried out and more needs to be done but the reform is not all bad.

1.55 p.m. Franco Debono says  that to shoulder ministerial responsibility means following the practices of other democracies . 

He said that his position had matured over a number of weeks and it was now crystallised. He was acting according to what he believed was right.

1.49 p.m. Franco Debono said that Hillary Clinton's visit to Malta should have been announced by the Prime Minister in the House and not on  Bondi+. 

1.43 p.m. Franco Debono says he had been telling the Prime Minister for years that national broadcasting was in a disastrous, unacceptable state, worse than the 1980s..

He said that Lou Bondi had invited him to his programme and because he did not reply to his invitation, Mr Bondi spent a day attacking him on  his blog and continued with his attack during the programme, which was supposed to discuss public transport.

National broadcasting was worse than in the 1980s. Even European Commissioner John Dalli had lodged a complaint against Lou Bondi. Dr Debono declared he rarely spoke to Mr Dalli and this was when he was still an MP. He did not even have his mobile number.

1.37 p.m. Franco Debono says he cannot follow the PN  executive's recommendation to vote against the PL's motion, in doing so he would be going against the oath he had taken to be loyal to the Constitution and the people.

He said the motion was accepting the fact that in spite of all the money spent, the bus service was still defective. It was accepting the fact that the routes had not been successful but it encouraged the minister to keep trying. This went against the constitutional doctrine or accountability. What kind of democratic system was this? This, he said, was unacceptable.

A minister who miscalculated should act according to political standards in parliamentary democracies and as the PN motion acknowledged there had been a major shortcoming it could not then go on to exonerate the minister.

1.31 p.m. Franco Debono said he believes the system will one day settle but a minister cannot act in trial and error with the people's money.  

1.25 p.m.  Dr Debono says party loyalty does not mean allowing ministers to steamroll over everybody else.  

He said that the more the system was improved, the greater the responsibility there was to shouldered by the minister.  aking a look at it they immediately said it would not work.

1.20 p.m. Franco Debono says an issue of individual responsibility should not be be turned into one of collective responsibility. The motion was about just one minister. Dr Debono said he did not want to cling to power at all costs, he had proven his loyalty to the Nationalist Party with whom he had contested three elections. 

1.15 p.m. Franco Debono declares he will not be voting against the motion. When the system was launched, major complaints started being made and the Opposition then presented the no confidence motion. He took his position and an extensive reform was then announced. The motion is calling for the minister's resignation so how was this being turned into an issue of collective responsibility.

1.12 p.m. Franco Debono - Was the reform planned on the way the people had been promised? No one had imposed any obligations that both systems could not work together for some time. The government had said the system was to be the best in the world but because it failed it was now blaming lack of proposals. There had not even been a Parliamentary group on the reform

1.10 p.m. Franco Debono said he criticised the government on other matters including the power station but in that instance he had voted with the government. This was because tendering process had started before he had been elected. However, he again called for the extension to be operated on gas if possible.

1.03 p.m. Speaker says House was meant to take a break at 1 p.m. Whips David Agius and Joe Mizzi say they had agreed that the House will hear Franco Debono before the break. Mr Mizzi says Dr Debono can speak for as long as he wishes. (Yesterday Dr Debono said he had only been granted five minutes).

12.50 Anglu Farrugia (PL) said he had to wonder how it was the same person, Austin Gatt, who was behind the power station extension contract, the extraordinary losses in the dockyard Fairmount contract, the delays in the SmartCity project because of the government's failures, and now this. The old bus service, he said, had functioned better than the old one despite the €75m poured in the latter. Dr Farrugia criticised the minister for failing to adequately reply to parliamentary questions on the bus service. Taxpayers, he said, had a right to proper information on how their money was being spent, even on consultants. Transparency was paramount, not least because it was the people who were paying for the government's failures and suffering the chaos. It was also shameful, he said, that bus shelters were still missing at many bus stops. The people were fed up of the government and its end was near, Dr Farrugia said. He asked how the government had transferred the land in Blata l-Bajda free of charge for use as a Park & Rode and then Arriva had imposed tariffs, which were only revised somewhat after PL criticism.

12.43 Charlo' Bonnici (PN) said the Opposition was riding on negative sentiment without having, during the consultation stage, contributed anything to the reform. The Opposition had always opposed reform and it had been consistent only in its opposition of Dr Gatt because he had the political courage, with the Cabinet, to pilot important reform. It was an honour and privilege for him to serve under Dr Gatt as parliamentary assistant, and he was witness to his dedication and commitment.  The reform was still 'works in progress'. Progress was made over the past weeks and months and more would be done, and he was promising his continued support to the minister.

12.31 Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca (PL) said that as a result of the bus service inefficiency, workers had lost their job or suffered a pay cut for arriving late, and elderly people were prisoners in their own home. She complained that her complaints and those of other Labour MPs went unheeded. She said that it was not only commuters who were suffering. Arriva drivers too had poor conditions and lacked basic facilities at the termini, a situation which was especially serious for the female drivers. She asked how a large diesel tank for use by the buses in Qormi had been installed without a Mepa permit and was still continuing to be used, despite the obvious danger. The Labour MP said the changes to the route numbers had caused confusion, especially for the elderly.

12.21 Gino Cauchi (PL) said the bus reform was delivering the contrary of what was promised. Instead of being easier to travel, it had become more difficult. Instead of more people taking to the buses, they were taking to their cars. Instead of shorter journey times, trips were taking longer. Workers were arriving late for work, students were late for lectures and patients were late for consultations, all thanks to Dr Gatt. But the ministry and Transport Malta were conspicuous by their lack of enforcement of standards. People were taking so long in traffic jams that women were even managing to complete their make-up, and others were reading books. He would back the opposition motion because it was a vote for accountability and a vote against arrogance.

12.13 Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli said Arriva's shortcomings meant the people had not been given the opportunity to try the new concept of public transport, including the interchanges and the government was therefore reverting to the old routes. He would vote against the Opposition motion with conviction. This was the fourth no confidence motion in Dr Gatt because he had masterminded many reforms. To his credit was the modern system of local government and the revolution made in It services, among others.

12.05 Labour MP Chris Cardona said the name Arriva had become a joke.  But the state of the service was no laughing matter. The opposition had passed on the people's complaints to the authorities, but they fell on deaf ears because the government was insensitive to the people's needs. This was not a motion aimed at ridiculing the governemnt, but an effort aimed at instilling accountability. And those ministers who failed the people should bow their heads and accept their responsibility. It was not a motion who would seriously harm the government as it was only demanding that Austin Gatt step down. After all, he had already declared he would not seek re-election.

12.00 Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea said the Opposition motion was an exercise in political opportunism. The government recognised the problems of the bus service and was determined to solve them. But how would commuters benefit from the Opposition motion which offered no new proposals?

11.55 Owen Bonnici (PL) said that the crux of this debate was about ministerial accountability to parliament. While the minister had claimed he slept soundly when this motion was presented, it had now been revealed that he offered his resignation to the prime minister, and it was refused. Therefore it should be parliament which should act. This motion was holding the minister accountable to parliament. Should a minister stay in his post despite losing a confidence motion, the President could take the decisions he saw fit.  Dr Bonnici said the bus service had been detrimental to tourism as well. For example, significantly fewer tourists were going to Mnajdra and Haġar Qim.

11.40 Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said local councils should shoulder their responsibilities for not attending consultation meetings and for failing to reply to the information sent to them. He said that in view of the changes being made in the bus service, the Opposition should withdraw its motion. Malta used to have an archaic bus service. The new service had its problems, but the changeover from the old system to the new could not happen overnight. The old system was crazy from a financial point of view and lacked accountability. To buy out the old bus owners had been expensive, but simply replacing the buses would still have kept Malta with the same service. Now Malta had better control on the cost of the bus service. Transport Malta could also impose fines if standards were not observed.

11.37 - Stefan Buontempo (PL) – denied that there was consultation with local councils on the routes. He asked what studies had been made about the size of the buses in relation to the roads, and how hundreds of parking spaces had been lost. In December 2008 Austin Gatt had said that the only purpose of the bus reform was the convenience of the users. But the passenger was not king in this reform, and the minister was king carnival. That local councils were handed an information pack about the routes did not amount to consultation. Malta had an arrogant government which did believe in dialogue.

11.25 Foreign Minister Tonio Borg underlined how Malta now had a bus service with longer hours. The buses were modern, with low emissions and problems with the routes were being tackled even though this necessitated an additional 36 buses.

11.14 Silvio Parnis (PL) said there were some positives in the Arriva service. The buses were more comfortable and the drivers were courteous. But the opposition could not ignore the people's concerns. He did not care if the minister resigned or not because the people would judge the government at the general election. If the bus service was so good, why don't the members of the government use it instead of their cars? It was about time the government heeded the people, Mr Parnis said.

11.05 Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo regretted that the House was the last to be discussing the bus reform. He also regretted that months after the reform was launched, the people were still justifiably complaining of an irregular bus service with poor routes and long waiting times. Like other MPs Mr Arrigo spoke on shortcomings in his district and said he could not understand how, after so many studies, the bus service was in its current state. Considerable funds had been spent when they could have been better used. Mr Arrigo said he disagreed with the statistics issued by Arriva because it did not compare like with like, in view of the interchanges in the new service.

10.52 Leo Brincat (PL) says the easiest thing for the Opposition would have been to let the government muddle on. The bus service reform was akin to Fawtly Towers. What was good in the old system had been massacred. The government, he said, had not published any studies on any environmental benefits of the bus service reform. But emissions had increased as more people were using their cars. Malta now also had second-hand buses with a lower Euro emissions level than originally promised, and no air-conditioning. Would they all be Euro V compliant by May?

10.49 a.m. Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami raises some protests as he says that the Opposition was always against any reform the government proposed, without ever making any suggestion. Had the government heeded the Opposition, Malta would still be a third-world country. Since the reforms were major, they were problematic, but the end result was  progress for the country.

10.35 Luciano Busuttil (PL) says the bus service is the latest of Austin Gatt's failures following his efforts at the law courts, the local wardens system which is now focused on money-making rather than law enforcement, the Maltacom privatisation which saw prime real estate in Qawra handed to a private company, the delays in SmartCity despite the minister's good work on narrowing the digital divide and the BWSC contract. He complained that the new buses produced considerable noise pollution, something which Mepa and the Transport Authority needed to tackle.

10.29 Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said consultations had been held before and after the launch of the bus service reform with all those who wished to participate. The Opposition, however, had not participated. The local councils were all invited to make their submissions on the routes as early as December 2008 when a conference was held. In January 2009 they were given an information pack on the proposed changes to the routes in their localities and information meeting were then held. But only 22 of the 65 councils participated. 20 councils made written submissions. Individual meetings were held with the councils which requested them. A huge success had been achieved in the reform in Gozo and this was being appreciated by one and all. Further improvement is being planned.

10.19 a.m. Labour MP Chris Agius says the consultants who were paid €400,000 for drawing up the bus routes should admit their responsibilities and refund the money paid to them. The old service included a few rude drivers, but the service was go. Now Malta has a confusing system which is affecting society and the economy. It is quicker to fly from Malta to Rome than take a bus from Cospicua to Valletta.

10.14 a.m. Nationalist MP Karl Gouder - More remains to be done to make the bus reform a success but the government is addressing the issues. The government is aware of the problems but is determined to make a success of this electoral promise.

10.02 a.m. Labour MP Carmelo Abela says it appears that changes to the bus service sought by Nationalist MPs are being upheld while those by Labour MPs are not. This debate is all about government promises which have not  been met. He doubted that the changes on Monday will achieve the desired results. The Prime Minister's call for a parliamentary committee on the bus service was only a ploy to hide the government's failures and divisions within the PN.

9.58 a.m. Nationalist MP Philip Mifsud says people's expectations were raised higher than what could be delivered. However the government had reacted to the people's complaints and suggestions and changes would continue to be made as necessary, with a major change set for next Monday.

9.49 am. - Labour MP Michael Falzon says the reform failure was shown by the  six major changes in four months. Now the system would revert to the old bus routes. So what was the reform about, just new buses? The Malta Transport Authority was a failure, second only to Mepa.

9.43 a.m. George Pullicino - New buses have brought about a significant reduction in harmful emissions. The opposition has not given any positive input to the reform.

9.40 am. Joseph Sammut - Austin Gatt must face the consequences of political responsibility and resign. His political appointees and management of Transport Malta must also go.

9.22 a.m. Franco Debono arrives in Parliament - He walked in, jacket in hand and went straight to the Speaker. Nationalist whip David Agius also spoke to him before he sat in his seat.

9.19 a.m. Joseph Sammut - The reform was meant to have have reduced the number of cars on the roads, but instead, the roads have been flooded with cars because the bus service for many destinations is inexistent or unreliable.

The promise of cleaner air has not been realised because there were now more cars on the road.

People are waiting more on bus stages, and journey  times were also taking considerably longer.

There were now rumours that the bus service had already lost €2 million. Under the old system the subsidy was €9m per year. On the basis  of the Arriva contract, the subsidy will cost €6.5m per year. But the government is paying €55m for the old buses.

For €30m the governemnt could have bought new buses or revamped some of the old ones.  The government could also have saved the useless €400,000 paid to consultants for the new route network, which was a total failure.

Somebody should be held accountable.

9.03 a.m. Labour MP Joseph M. Sammut moves his motion - It says that the bus reform had disappointed the people because of the poor route network, an infrequent service and a long waiting times.  It notes that a charge had also been introduced for the park and ride. The reform had not reduced cars on the roads. Four months after the reform, the service was still inefficient. It therefore condemns the lack of planning, insists on contract observance and demands the resignation of Transport Minister Austin Gatt.

9 a.m. The sitting opens as usual but as previously agreed, there will be no Question Time.

8.55 a.m. Austin Gatt arrives in Parliament.

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J Schembri

Nov 5th 2011, 10:21

It’s glaringly obvious that the root cause of this chaos is the typical Maltese indisciplined parking . Where are the wardens?

H. Psaila

Nov 5th 2011, 11:15

@Hans Borg - Sorry to say but loyalty does not seem on Labour MP's because they envy any good project that the present government is doing as they never ever have dreamt about it. Stupid are the PL MP's they are trying to ridicule our island with their stupidity in order to gain confidence from the people. We have learnt from previous Labour administrations that won't change their attitude.

Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)

Nov 4th 2011, 21:11


@ Frans Aguis:

As I understood it, the bulk of the buses are brand spanking new; there are some that were imported under the old system and were up to standard so they were retained therefore in an averaging computation their age is significant. I have read claims that some (maybe even all) the bendy-buses are redundant from the London fleet and so also add to the aggregate age.

I presume that is why the minister said the average age is one year (or did he say less than one year).

I don't see how you justify shouting out that they are second hand.

M Farrugia

Nov 4th 2011, 23:48

kemm ilhom malta gew second hand bid-daqqit li ghandhom fil-gnub kollha.

Shaun Camilleri

Nov 5th 2011, 08:52

The bendy busses came from the UK. I saw them bearing 05 plates which means they are 6 years old!!!

H. Psaila

Nov 5th 2011, 11:17

Hadd ma qallek biex tara TVM ara Super One hux ghaliex dak huwa kontra il-gvern.

J.C. Borg

Nov 4th 2011, 20:21

Just because he tells them many jokes. Everybody likes jiokes.

R. Gauci

Nov 4th 2011, 21:58

Dom Mintoff kien l-aqwa oratur li qatt kellna Malta u wiehed mill-iprem fid-Dinja Sur Busuttil, int qatt ivvotajtlu? Jekk le r-risposta hadtha wahdek, kif tindirizza n-nies ma jfissirx li ghandek stoffa, mbaghad anqas Gonzi ma hu xi wiehed li jqajjimlek gismek xewk xewk meta jitkellem.

VV Bartolo

Nov 4th 2011, 19:57

do you address yourself as JOEY as well mr Micallef?

Peter Busuttil

Nov 4th 2011, 19:18

I have to agree with you 100%. Doesn't have to have degrees or Halcrow consultants to reform the public transport system. Just plain good common sense!

ALBERT FENECH

Nov 4th 2011, 18:40

Ms Gatt, how sad that you have such a shockingly limited knowledge of Maltese political and parliamentary history. Every MAJOR reform (including votes for women, votes at 18, universal sufferage, the minimum wage, National Insurance, PAYE, pensions, health schemes, Children's Allowances, EVEN the change to Summer Time and many, many more) have ALWAYS been introduced by the MLP and have always been OPPOSED by the PN. More than enough said!

ALBERT FENECH
Qawra

Mr Joe Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 19:42

Fenech meta jitkellmu il kbar missek toghod kwiet tisma!

ALBERT FENECH

Nov 4th 2011, 20:39

You seem to lack the basic physical senses because here were are READING and not LISTENING. Invest in an English dictionary and translate. It may help you out of cloud cuckoo land and begin to start understanding.

ALBERT FENECH
Qawra

H. Psaila

Nov 4th 2011, 21:06

Well said Ms. Gatt but with regards to the comments of Mr. Albert Fenech he forgot to mention the wage freeze, power and water cuts on a daily basis, technology zero, installation of telephone system if only you were Labour, unexistant democracy and the famous bulk buying of essential food stuffs not even edible. If Labour had to be still in power we would not have internet, good telephone system, good mailing system (which the Labour have criticised in its formation). They never mention higher income tax rates, higher fuel rates (when fuel was cheap) and increase of locally produced milk prices. They never mention that an ex-Prime Minister abstained several times when Dr. Sant was in power and then the Labour supports from a Saviour they gave him a demotion and nicknamed him Traitor. The Labour Party never changes.

M.O. Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 21:16

aaaaagh Albert Fenech...definitely not the heart specialist....I bet you are Shakespeare in disguise. ...why not go fishing ...in Qawra.

R. Gauci

Nov 4th 2011, 22:02

Sur Psaila fejn noqghod il-bierah ghamilna gurnata bla dawl, jumejn qabel jumejn bla ilma, dan fl-2011 mhux fl-1983.

ALBERT FENECH

Nov 5th 2011, 05:38

Mr Psaila, the items you mentioned were temporary, some conjectured and others imagined and inflated. The items I mentioned were historical, written in black and white and became a part of the fabric of history of development of Malta and Gozo. People of your ilk have become so desperate they are now even attempting to change the course of history by writing new history books. It reminds me of the Soviet Union when history books were written every year and the old ones destroyed.

ALBERT FENECH
Qawra

Edward Gatt

Nov 4th 2011, 18:57

What is this obsession that in trying to ridicule somebody (mostly when they are PN politicians) some people call them by their Maltese name? As far I know, the prime minister was always called Lawrence and Austin Gatt as Austin. So, what are you trying to do by calling them Wenzu and Agostino? Shall we start calling you Bertu (I know that it is not offensive) but then if everybody knows you as Albert why should I refer to you as Bertu? Or call the Leader of Opposition Guzepp? It reminds me of when ages ago the Labour Party used to label the PN as tal-pepe because it used to say there were lots of double-barrelled surnames in it. But then came Joe Debono Grech, Alex Sciberra Trigona, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, John Attard Montalto, Zammit Lewis, and I don't know who else so that has to be dropped now.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 4th 2011, 19:13

Do not forget that the roumors are that Beppe want to replace Lawrence and take over from his father!!!

Jeffrey Borg

Nov 4th 2011, 19:38

u franco mhux se jivvota mal-pn,u franco ma jitlax.

Wilfred Camilleri

Nov 4th 2011, 17:34

The opposition is for the opposition not for the people!

MALCOLM SEYCHELL

Nov 4th 2011, 18:15

Well after hearing him, you will surely have to agree that he is the worse from them all

ninu gale

Nov 4th 2011, 17:21

JMISSU ILU LI DABBAR RASU IL MINISTRU GATT, DAN KOLLU HU GABU GHAX IL POPOLIN XEBA BIL HMERIJIET TAL ARRIVA U TRASPORT MALTA, XEBAW JIKKUMIDJAW FIR ROTOT U JZIEDU BUSES L-AWN U L-HEMM. AHNA IR ROTTOT LI KELLNA QABEL 3 TA LULJU TAJBIN KONNA BIHOM GEWWA WIED IL-GHAJN, ISSA GEJNA L-AGHAR LI QATT KONNA GHAX XEMX U XITA MIXJA TA 25 MINUTA JRID NIEHU BIEX NAQBAD IL XARABANK GHAX XOGHOL.

A. Xuereb

Nov 4th 2011, 18:39

The Party needs people like Franco Debono, BUT whilts saying what he wants he should retain ranks and observe party rulings....and what good will that do? This country needs people like Dr Franco Debono, from both political parties. It will do us no good having only yes men/women representing us. Look what happened last week in the UK. David Cameron had an earthquake in parliament, he accepted it with dignity and promised to listen more to what the people are saying.

Lawrence Fenech

Nov 4th 2011, 19:00

@Camilleri.

The people put them there and the people come before the party. A government made up of more Franco Debono's and Malta would not be in such a mess.

Lena Hahn

Nov 4th 2011, 19:34

"I do not see why Austin Gatt should be turned into a scapegoat - the sacrificial lamb."

I don't give two hoots about either party but if Gatt is being turned into a scapegoat, he shouldn't have made himself the ideal candidate for the post by being a disgrace to Malta and the Maltese.

Anyway, I'll not write more on the matter. Norqod bil-lejl...

Antoinette Bonello

Nov 4th 2011, 17:41

Prosit kemm int proxmu tajjeb. Prova imxi int f'temp ta xita kif inhu bhal dawn il jiem!!! Jien irrid minxi fuq ghoxrin minuta sa nofs siegha biex naqbaghad karozza ghal belt!! Nixtieq nara lilek! l-izjed meta nahseb li kellna it -terminus ftit minuti boghod!! Dak progress!!

FRANS H SAID

Nov 4th 2011, 19:16

And since when two wrongs make a right?

Aaron Vella

Nov 4th 2011, 16:47

Naqbel mieghek perfettemant. X'hin bdejt nisimghu bdejt nghid jekk hux postu fil-partit Nazzjonalista. He just commited political suicide. Good riddance! Il-partit jizbalja u l-izbalji jirranghom, l-elettorat ma jinsiex il-hmieg li ghidt illum Dr. Debono!

VV Bartolo

Nov 4th 2011, 16:34

hmmm punt interessantissimu!!

cos hux jekk hija mozzjoni favur/kontra MP hija haga ovja li l-istess MP m'ghandux dritt ghal vot lilhu stess u din taghmel l-istampa hafna iktar interessanti i.e. 32 PN MPs vs 32 PL MP's ...

we wait and see!

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 4th 2011, 16:35

Mela bl'istess argument assurd tieghek , f'vot ta fiduca, il-membri parlamentari tal gvern ma ghandhom jivutaw "Ghax ma taghmilx sens[li] tivvota ghalik stess"!!!

A Cuschieri

Nov 4th 2011, 16:37

Allura bl-istess ragunament, jekk jissejjah vot ta sfiducja fil-Gvern jivvutaw l-oppozizzjoni biss? Ma tistax taghmel hekk - bilfors kull MP irid ikollu vot (sakem ma jridx jastjeni).

Naqbel mieghek pero li jintuzaw kliem maltin - lewwel nett ghax hija lingwa nazzjonali u tiftihem aktar fl-opinjoni tieghi.

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 4th 2011, 16:37

Mintoff voted against, Franco is abstaining; Austin will keep his place unless another government MP does the same... or Speaker surprises us all!!

J Farrugia

Nov 4th 2011, 15:51

Manuel Delia pfffff i just fell off my chair. lol hahaha brilliant

M. Cardona

Nov 4th 2011, 15:53

??????????? Go hide somewhere some place deep with your alternatives to this man of substance and calibre.

ALBERT FENECH

Nov 4th 2011, 16:34

Mr. Andrew Cassar, if the majority of the electorate is made of your substance, then no wonder the country is in chaos. Franco Debono has shown grit and courage. The people of the district he represents have suffered greatly since the inception of Arriva operations and he has shown his loyalty to his electorate. You on the other hand are despising him for showing this loyalty and courage. Perhaps you most hate his having confirmd that PBS today is even worse than it was in 1980? Why a whole day should have been dedicated to this debate is beyond my comprehension..All that was needed was a straight vote and have done with it. To date the best comment has been made by Joe Debono with his quip that Arriva should lay on a direct bus to Mount Carmel. I am more than certain this will be a most popular route!

ALBERT FENECH
Qawra

A Bezzina

Nov 4th 2011, 15:55

Stick to your 'guts'?!?!?! Hello!!!!!!!!!!! You have really managed to give me a good laugh! I am sitting here picturing Franco stuck to his guts!!! It used to be 'stick to your guns' in my time ...

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 4th 2011, 16:41

@Alfred Fenech ghadek fid-dinja tal-holm?

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 4th 2011, 16:38

Kieku elezjoni kull sentejn

cesco di luigi

Nov 4th 2011, 15:16

Indeed I agree that Austin Gatt has outperformed all other Ministers...
he outperforms in pomposity
he outperfroms in failure

the higher they fly the harder they fall my dear miss galea!!!

Mark Jones

Nov 4th 2011, 15:21

Out-performed all other ministers?

Well, in terms of this present administration, that ain't saying very much, is it?

In terms of the impact his incompetence has had on the travelling public, he is up there with Margaret Thatcher who completely screwed up public transport in Britain. Then again, Ms Galea, I guess you haven't had to sit behind the wheel of a car travelling 2km in one hour as I had to twice this week, thanks to Gudja and Ghaxaq having been deprived of a bus service since July 3rd and Gatt / TM's road closures.

Maybe Mr Debono is just following his conscience on the matter; conscience seems to be in pretty short supply amongst the present government.

Francesca Abela

Nov 4th 2011, 15:10

There is no 'win' all this means is that Austin will get the royal boot.

Charles Sammut

Nov 4th 2011, 15:38

Have you conducted a poll of "many PN voters" Rachel?
I believe you...I believe you...

...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....

J Farrugia

Nov 4th 2011, 15:53

PN are dead and buried and believe me from an ex pn voter.

D. Xerri

Nov 4th 2011, 13:19

Dr F. Debono is talking on behalf the thousands of people arriving late at work, missing lectures, loosing hospital appointments and about the money lost on consultancies resulting in a Total Failure under Dr Austin Gatt`s bravery to stop the Buzullotti !

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 13:20

But Franco will surely stand HIGH amongst the electorate he represents!

He is their voice !

Maybe it wil also be the last opportunity for an end to Dr. Gatt's Buzollotti !

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 13:24

Kif ghadu kif qal Franco - is-Siggu jigi u jmur , is-siggu huwa tal-POPLU!

Il-Kelma Konsistenza tibqa mieghek sal-mewt!

Ragel ta' Veru u dehen li jkun elett mid-distrett tieghu ghax veru jfittex l-interess ta' min jelleggih !

Mr Mark Cutajar

Nov 4th 2011, 14:05

why so much hate? cannot understand it. Do you want democracy or not?

Marika Fenech

Nov 4th 2011, 14:17

Actually, he's been speaking for quite some time now. I'm one of those who believe that he is quite right. I was forced to use Arriva due to my car breaking down and the journey was a complete nightmare. Dr Gatt must go - he is too arrogant!!!

Michael Gatt

Nov 4th 2011, 14:40

Kollha ejra bazwija

Michael Gatt

Nov 4th 2011, 14:41

Ohrog ta Ragel u zomm kemtek biex tigi apprezzat

Mr Charles Falzon

Nov 4th 2011, 14:51

Franco Debono said all the truth...milli jidher thobb tisma kontra l labour party biss int!!!

A Bezzina

Nov 4th 2011, 14:59

X'5 minutes 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!! More like an hour ... He wouldn't stop!

M. Cardona

Nov 4th 2011, 15:08

Ms Grima,

Democracy exactly means....i.e. to you?

Mr Steve Cassar

Nov 4th 2011, 13:11

l-ebda ministru, segretarju parlamentari, shadow minister jew MP ma kienu, ghadom jew baqaw juzaw s-servizz tal-linja! Ma tarax msieken!

D. Xerri

Nov 4th 2011, 13:15

Skuzi l-Paladin tar-Riforma tat-Trasport hu Dr Austin Gatt li dejjem jigri bil-Jaguar - Dak li waqqaf il-Buzullotti u beda t-Tejatrini :~)

Ms Xaxa Caruana

Nov 4th 2011, 13:21

bhal kull MP li hemm gewwa il-parlamnet bhal issa????
Kemm minnhom uzaw ta vera l'Arriva? Mhux biex jipuzaw ghar ritratti ta, juzawh bhalna bhala bzonn....

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 13:21

Isma' gbin min qieghed fil-Gvern, min suppost jikmanda u min kien fil-poter ghal dawn l-ahhar 20 sena? Joseph Muscat jew il-Partit tieghek?

kevin abela

Nov 4th 2011, 13:31

Izda nahseb illi ix-xufier huwa ihalsu mhux bhal Dr.Gonzi ghax dak khemm il-karozza kif ukoll ix-xufier int u jien inhalsuhom.

m. borg

Nov 4th 2011, 14:04

Nahseb iktar jaghmel sens issaqsi kemmil-darba uza Austin Gatt jew Gonzi.

A Dimech

Nov 4th 2011, 14:25

bla sens

Noel Mifsud

Nov 4th 2011, 14:27

Ahjar staqsejt kemm il Ministru uza il buses, u kemm id direttur tal Transport Malta uza il karozzi, u kemm il Direttur ta l Arriva uzaw it trasport umbghad izeffen lil Joseph Muscat. Joseph Muscat ma kellu xejn x jaqsam ma din il froga papali, anzi il PL zamm hafna lura ghax stenna 3 xhur sakemm forsi il kbar konsulenti li swew tinsix 400,000 euro jindunaw li xi haga mhux tahdem. Hawn nirringrazja lil aqwa PM li kellha Malta minn wara l Indipendenza l hawn, li ametta is sistema ma hadmitx imma ma talab l ebda Euro Cent mill 400,000 li hareg tal froga li ghamlu. Grazzi sur PM tall tgharaf kif tmexxi flusna bl ikbar mod ghaqli li tista.

m farrugia

Nov 4th 2011, 14:34

ghidilhom andrew billi dak li jkun jistenna naqra biex jmur ax xoghol u jiehu vacation leave jew l istudenti jidhlu tard ghal lesson .illum kullhadd jigri jrid .bla pacenzja

Mr Charles Falzon

Nov 4th 2011, 14:55

nahseb lil austin & co kuljum tarom fuq l istage....

Dione Azzopardi

Nov 4th 2011, 15:11


Il-paladini tar-riforma huma Austin Gatt u Manuel Delia. Tant kien paladin dan ta' l-aħħar li hu kien jiġi fuq il-programm tas-sinjura jgħidilna kemm ser inkunu aħjar!!!

Wally Vella-Zarb

Nov 4th 2011, 15:17

Għalhiex ma tistaqsix lill-ministru Gatt? Wara kollox hu responsabbli mit-trasport pubbliku u mhux Dr Muscat. Kien hu li wiehedna sistema timxi fuq ir-rubini u mingħajr bużullotti. “..insejt ghidli dejjem bix-xufier...”


l vella

Nov 4th 2011, 15:34

How inane !.....................Does any MP use public transport ?

R Axisa

Nov 4th 2011, 15:35

Inti qatt rajt lil dawk kollha li kell hom x'jaqsmu mar-riforma tat-trasport pubbliku (l-aktar il-Ministru Austin Gatt u Manwel Delia) juzawh????? Ghax sa fejn naf jien dawn moqdijin bil-Jaquar jew xi karozza lussuza ohra.

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 13:08

In-naha tal-Gvern zgur ghandhom Performance Bonus, Honorarja biex ikopru hinhom... Suppost bil-grad li ghandhom - NON-OVERTIMR GRADES with Allowances & Honorarias!

Francesca Abela

Nov 4th 2011, 15:09

Encore ;-)

John Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 14:26

So it's not just me that has that impression.

But don't worry, Stefan, they have better brakes!! :-)

Lawrence Fenech

Nov 4th 2011, 15:36

@Enge.

You are so right we are not at a point of "zulli minn nofs ghax gej jien" apart from the fact that some of them are driving with the mobile stuck to their ears.

Charles Attard

Nov 4th 2011, 12:34

jibzghu minn Austin Gatt ghax jafu li jirnexxielu li din ir-riforma jaghmilha b'success.


J Farrugia

Nov 4th 2011, 12:36

This is one reason i will not vote for PN, you just don't get it do you. Pathetic political blindness is what makes this country stay behind. Just wake up and realise that the whole Transport thing has been one massive cock up, in every country in the EU i the minister fails he resigns, but no in Malta the blue eyed boys don't understand that word. As for immature, yes you are rather.

Charles Busuttil

Nov 4th 2011, 12:51

Joseph Muscat's decision did not cost the taxpayer what the Arriva has cost. Furthermore there were't that number of consultants involved either.

Andrew Zahra

Nov 4th 2011, 12:59


just give it time - you took nine months to be born - a system takes its time too...
the problem with us maltese is that we have been too spoilt expecting everything to happen automatically and without any hitches...

Andrew Zahra

Nov 4th 2011, 13:02



@J Farrugia - let us realise that we are lucky when compared to other countries - our economy is performing relatively well given the circumstances....realise that there is a meltdown out there and we managed to weather it...admit it

m. borg

Nov 4th 2011, 14:07

Apparently you are forgetting the fact, intently,that the bus reform wa 2 years in the making before " zmien il-buzzullotti spicca" and we have been presented with a comedy of the worst making.

m. borg

Nov 4th 2011, 14:09

@A Zahra
We are a lucky country?
.
With gonzi and his gang at the helm and you consider that lucky. Maybe you yourself having some cushy job in one of the ministries maybe even in Austin's Gatt own.

Franco Abela

Nov 4th 2011, 14:14

@ Andrew Zahra

"you took nine months to be born - a system takes its time too."

And the world took 7 days!

What has this to do with the transport mess?

Noel Mifsud

Nov 4th 2011, 14:29

Sur Attard int qed thgid li ir riforma irnexxiet, ghax jekk qed nifhme sew u ghedt hekk allura il PM mhux f sensih u lanqas AUstin Gatt ghax wiehed ametta li ir riforma falliet il PM u Austin ghejjini inqalleb il gazetti biex nara kif irranga ir rotot dawn l ahhar 5 xhur. Issa jekk qed thgid li austin gatt irnexxilu, nahseb mhux qieghed Malta siehbi.

Michael Gatt

Nov 4th 2011, 14:39

Wish full thinking

Michael Gatt

Nov 4th 2011, 14:43

Din id diska ta immature dejqet lil kuhadd, vera ma sibux xi tmqdru f' DR.Muscat

Jeffrey Mallia

Nov 4th 2011, 14:47

Sur Andrew Zahra...this " experiment" has costed us the tax payer, 60 MILLION euro............so stop blubbing about.

R. Cilia

Nov 4th 2011, 15:06

Int mid -dehra ma tuzax l-Arriva siehbi ghax kieku ma tiktibx dak li ktibt!

Andrew Cumbo

Nov 4th 2011, 16:18


@ Andrew Zahra
Are you joking!! Have you heard what Minister Austin Gatt said yesterday? The works on Constitution and Garibaldi roads (not highways) is projected to end by mid next year. Just take a look at the below link and you will sure laugh at your arguments, if you try to compare this professionalism to the PN government.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1369307/Japan-tsunami-earthquake-Road-repaired-SIX-days-destroyed.html

Mr Charles Falzon

Nov 4th 2011, 15:00

bahll 400,000 euro li hela Dr Austin Gatt fuq konsulenza ghal Arriva.....li ma waslet imkien.

catherine galea

Nov 4th 2011, 13:13

The only kick we should think of at the moment is the one which should be directed at Franco Debono. The sooner the better.

A. Cachia

Nov 4th 2011, 13:34

Well said may all others PL / PN take note and vote as they deem right and not as the party forces them to vote for...

A Bezzina

Nov 4th 2011, 12:24

Welcome to the world! There are SO MANY countries where there are differences between how much locals pay, and how much tourists pay ... not only for bus services, but also for entrance into museums and galleries, attendance at concerts etc etc ... So, you may stop feeling uncomfortable, dear!

A Dimech

Nov 4th 2011, 13:00

Dear A Bezzina -

there are in deed many countries who discriminate between local people and foreigners. BUT - be careful - we are in the EU and there shouldn't be any discrimination between citizens of the EU.

The EU is build around 4 pillars including Free Labour / Capital and Investment movement.

In my belief, this price differential will discriminate and goes against EU foundations. We cannot have a foreigner (EU citizen) who visits the island to invest money or to work pay however short or long his stay is duration to be discriminated agaisnt.

France used to have a similar thing. They used to have a system of charges on child day centres whcih discriminates agaisnt foreigners - and teh EU ordered them to remove it.

And please don't call me dear - I am definately not your "dear"

Ray Borg

Nov 4th 2011, 13:56

I hope your not employed in the hospitality industry, as you would find it hard to explain it to your clients face to face. I know, I work in the industry mate!

Silvan cutajar

Nov 4th 2011, 12:20

@Charles Attard
Qed nisma l-parlament jien ukoll bhal hafna nies ohra li llum qed jistennew biex jaraw kif l-Awtoritajiet kollha kompetenti ser jirrangaw dan id-dizastru.
Sur Attard, kont taf li ghad hemm lokalitajiet shah (bhal il-Gudja u Hal Ghaxaq) li ghalkemm qabel bis-sistema li kellna kellhom rotta diretta ghal Belt, issa GHADHOM BLA SERVIZZ u fil-process ta' din ir-riforma tnehhietilhom il-venda li kellhom?
Mela tista' tghidilna min hu POLITIKAMENT RESPONSABBLI ghal dan?
Tista' tispjegalna kif din hija riforma ghall-ahjar?
Zmien ilpbuzoloti ghada......imma zmien il-karnival kompla matul is-sena kollha... SMART ISLAND LOL hehe

A Bezzina

Nov 4th 2011, 12:38

@ Silvan Cutajar
Zmien il-buzulotti ghadda verament ... fil-fatt spicca fl-1987 (ghajr sentejn fejn rega' beda jgholli rasu!). Huwa biss dak li ma jaghmel xejn li ma jizbaljax ... Aktar ma jkollok progetti ta' zvilupp, aktar hemm cans li xi wahda ser tmur zmerc! Jien qatt ma rajt xi 'vote of confidence' mill-oppozizzjoni lejn nies fil-gvern li kienu responsabbli ghal eluf ta' progetti li Malta rat f'dawn l-ahhar snin. Imma malli xi haga tmur hazin, arahom jaghmlu kapital politiku billi jikritikaw, jopponu, isejhu ghar-rizenji, bla ebda proposti konkreti ta x'jista' jsir ahjar!!

Kemm ghandu ragun is-sur Charles Attard ... il-PL xejn gdid!!

Silvan cutajar

Nov 4th 2011, 14:11

@A.Bezzina
Naqbel mieghek li dak li ma jaghmel xejn ma jizbaljax, imma huwa ferm aghar meta min dahhal dan it-tibdil kollu f'daqqa JIBQA MA JISMAX mill-ilmenti GUSTIFIKATI li qed jaghmel il-poplu u jibqa ghaddej qisu ma gara xejn.
Tista per ezempju tghidilna kif ir-rotta X5 li ilha tigi msemmija li ser tibda taqdi lir-residenti tal-Gudja u Hal Ghaxaq BISS u bi dritt sal-Belt mwieghda ghal dawn l-ahhar 3 xhur, issa ser tibda tghaddi wkoll minn Marsascala u iz-Zejtun. Jidhirlek li dan huwa servizz eccelenti kif gie mwieghed? U ddahhalx politika partiggjana fir-risposta tieghek, please.
Imma Dr. Austin Gatt jibqa HU responsabbli politikament ghal dan il-fjask.
..... forsi tista tkompli twiegeb int ghall-mistoqsijiet li ghamilt lis-Sur Charles Attard, ghax tidher iktar infurmat minnu mela. Jew inti wiehed minn dawk il-komdi bis-servizz offrut?

P Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 14:57

Franco Debono said it all.

Rita Smith

Nov 4th 2011, 12:54

Well done for your comments. Yes Parliament is wasting precious time about a problem which definitely will be solved in the long run. Excuse my arrogance in saying that we seem to be a well off country compared to many big countries who were rich at one time. Who is going to challenge me and deny that families in Malta have one to three cars per family? that is being very poor!!!!!!!!!!Televisions in every room even in the kitchen!!!!!!!University free!!!!!!!!!!!! The benefits that the underprivileged get when they are honest enough to declare being such!! Why don't we all go to our African neighbouring countries, myself included and savour their poverty and way of living. And who said the present cost of public transport is expensive when with only 1.50euro you can travel all day? U halluna. Why don't we be honest and declare that Arriva Transport has been boycotted because of earlier shortcomings and and that we are sticking to our guns.

T Gauci

Nov 4th 2011, 17:48

@Mr Anthony Briffa

Mela issa qed tmqadru L-EWRO x'kin, m'ghadkomx tiftahru li l-akbar munita fid-dinja issa nehduhom lura is-70 miljun ewro mil-Grecja bid-drachma imma haha

Mr Joe Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 11:46

Mizzi your very serious problems are underlined in this latest post! You say "We don't need" - who is the "We"?

Come on tell us how you think your (justified) requirements can be achieved? You may want to remember that in over 50 years the old system was far from acceptable (tell the Gozitans that) - also as expressed by the Maltese in a recent survey before Arriva arrived (or rather did not always arrive). Come on contribute! As a regular commuter I think you have a good idea of what can be done!


Sandro Pace

Nov 4th 2011, 11:48

Exactly sir. Exactly. Timeliness and efficiency is the most important thing in life. Much more than aesthetics in such a thing. But alas, as with everything, this country does not have much respect for time, apparently. We are not Switzerland or Germany isnt it??

The only thing good a disgraced italian dictator once said is that from Rome and below, the people are 'approximative'.


From a regular user.

Joseph E Briffa

Nov 4th 2011, 12:37

A Mizzi......You don't seem to have ever used public transport either the old or the new.. If you had, you would definitely not have posted this comment about A/C. The heat in the 4/6 summer months in Malta is suffocating particularly when the weather is clammy and when buses are full. It is sheer torture to use buses without air conditioning on. Even on a hot summer's day in London, it is stifling inside buses let alone in Malta..

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 13:34

WE are me and my workmates who were considering using public transport to get us to work, our family members who used to go by themselves to an appointment at Mater Dei or MCAST - WE ARE THE PEOPLE - CIKKU POPLU !

Mr Hans Borg

Nov 4th 2011, 11:34

@Mr Ganado

Are you implying that commuters are lying when they talk about the hardships they use the public transport system?

Ms Xaxa Caruana

Nov 4th 2011, 11:49

Ghax ma tipruvax is-servizz int sur Ganado u wara parla ghax qisek mintiex temmen lil poplu malti meta dan igerger fuq is servizz tal qamel li hawn.

Gordon Farrugia

Nov 4th 2011, 11:29

I agree with you that the situation will be dire - terrible maybe because the figures from the statistics dept. are the tip of the iceberg. But Malta is not Greece and most of the debt is owed to locals - which means that the government will have no choice than to tax us to death - is that better?

Joe Fenech

Nov 4th 2011, 11:50

Yes there will be heavy taxes. But that has always been the history with PN. When Mintoff took over the situation was the same.

Malta is only surviving on the millions it's getting as part of the EU joining package...after that it will be disaster.

J Busuttil

Nov 4th 2011, 12:34

Not this time Joe Fenech you cannot fool the people ( you might foll Labour staunch supporters ) as we are being monitored by Europe and the big guns. La vecchia storia will not work any more Ha Ha Ha . We have been given very good ratings lately . Labour will be finding a healthy country, you are the fool believing all that the Labour media feeds you.

Ms Xaxa Caruana

Nov 4th 2011, 11:29

A Dimech ..qiesek qrajtli mohhi.....nahseb sa jkun hemm xi sorpriza illum.

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 11:17

.... but alas this is Malta where incompetencies are paid for with Honorariums and salary increases of at €500 aweek over and above!

Joe Fenech

Nov 4th 2011, 11:21

I meant you DON'T do your job properly.

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 11:18

.... yes Some Mothers do have them.... those that had a part in bringing Arriva over !

Mr Joe Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 11:33

Good one A.Mizzi.........but somehow when I see Brincat I cannot help but think of Allo Allo although I understand that as far as the sitcom was concerned that was good acting!

W Cassar

Nov 4th 2011, 11:03

If only that were true!

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 4th 2011, 11:08

You're so right ! The moment there is a whiff of a possible early election in Malta our international fiscal rating will take a dive due to uncertainty and the fact that rating-houses have absolutely no clue what Labour's intentions are (because Labour never says what it will do) and will thus throw us all in one huge financial crises - just because Smiley Joseph (with the EU flag behind him) thought it's fun to have a go at Austin.

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 10:45

..... ask the Consultants that were paid over €400,000 by the Ministry or TM !

Don't these "Consultants" offer after-sales service for their service ....or lack of it?

Peter Azzopardi

Nov 4th 2011, 11:26

Do you think that people are Blind or deaf. This is your pigoen Mr, you have to solve the problem that you created. We criticise the Minister and the Gonzipn because, he promised us a silver service and instead he created tremor .

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 10:46

The Maltes like a CHANGE .......FOR THE BETTER!

Ross Lock

Nov 4th 2011, 10:56

@ A. Mizzi
We MALTESE really don't, we forever keep referring to the past and how things was done in the past. The Bus service needed to change and modernise but as soon as it did we had everyone screaming from the roof tops and focusing on the negatives rather than the positive. Yes i agree that some parts of the service had teething problems and needed to be looked at, BUT what new service or business doesn't have teething problems ???

Rather than the PN and PL scoring points against each other why don't they try and work thinks out between them for a better standard of life for us all.

Daniel Schembri

Nov 4th 2011, 11:06

We like change more than all the rest of europe: do your remember the EURO change over under the same government. That was a very good change over. BUT THIS!!!!!

Maria Debono

Nov 4th 2011, 11:23

yes the maltese like change for the better, That is why they put the Labour Party in opposition for the last 20 or so years. And hopefully they will remain theer for the next 20 years, so that Malta will go on changing for....the better under a PN Government

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 10:31

Is asking to arrive to work in time , to keep an appointment using public transport asking too much?

VV Bartolo

Nov 4th 2011, 10:32

2 wrongs don't make a right mr aquilina!!!

A Dimech

Nov 4th 2011, 10:36

if there is a tie - I expect the Speaker to vote with the government. I don't think anybody will be surprised. But let's see - I am still not sure whether Debono will actually abstain.
Part of me tells me that all this is a "theatrin", and ultimately Debono will be made to go along teh governmnet's line.

Mr Joe Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 10:47

Mizzi who said so?

The Transport reform seeks to achieve a quantum leap from the previous abusive system which served only part of the Maltese population for a few hours a day (for example, I would have never used the old public transport system because to catch a bus I would have required a 20 minute walk) and no one in Gozo. In four months, amid major management difficulties, there have been improvements - many more are needed. For example, like in other parts of Europe I would impose a premium for tickets purchased on the bus!

The only failure I see is if we revert to the old system. This PL motion, also as expressed by Owen Bonnici on Bondi Plus yesterday, has only one objective that of seeing Gatt resign.

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 4th 2011, 10:27

Bus drivers that smoked while driving, Bus drivers that STOLE from tourists, Bus drivers that insulted passengers (even in the way they wear!), Buses that destroyed your back bone if onboard for more than 10 minutes, Bus drivers that striked for no reason at all, ...

Do you find it that hard to try and be objective!!

Daniel Schembri

Nov 4th 2011, 11:10

@MR Aquilina: Telqu minn fejn telqu is-servizz gie ghar. Igifieri allavolja irrangaw id-drivers u gabu l-karozzi godda.

O Schembri

Nov 4th 2011, 10:28

Iva mela kif qalu wkoll li in-nies ma fehmux is-sistema!!! hadd minnhom ma juzha tal-linja ta!

Alex Falzon

Nov 4th 2011, 10:33

He is not saying 'is the people's fault' - The quote says that people's expectations were raised higher that what could be delivered meaning that TM & the Ministry gave a big hype to the reform that gave high hopes to us commuters - however this did not materialize as planned

Brian Gatt

Nov 4th 2011, 10:32

What does this have to do with the Transportation ?

Dont try to deviate from the real issue

Mr Joe Micallef

Nov 4th 2011, 10:53

Brian unlike yourself I judge someone by his entire actions and not selectively! As Falzon is closely linked to fireworks I expect him to forward that question if he has at heart the common good. If what I hear is true, like myself, you would certainly be very concerned, far more than your aim to shoot the reform down.

A Dimech

Nov 4th 2011, 10:02

The bus crisis is hiding a bigger issue within the government. Not the first thing that this happens in Malta. During Sant's government, Cottonera project was masking another rift.... Per se the topic has relative importance - it is the political crisis which is the topic.

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 10:06

... are you in-bound?

W Cassar

Nov 4th 2011, 10:14

@ M Sciberras

What crisis the PN have always said we are doing well, so the bus problem can be front page!

Charles Sammut

Nov 4th 2011, 10:10

How naive of you Mr Briffa. The biggest con men and swindlers in history all wore smart suits. As the proverb goes, the habit does not make the monk.

Respect does not come from a piece of cloth. It comes from the heart.

Joseph Aquilina

Nov 4th 2011, 10:16

Truth hurts .. and truth is that PL points fingers and than says nothing about how problems can be fixed. Even worse, we have some one like Joseph who tells the Maltese that he will tell us how to solve our problems before the election ... so for this guy the good of Malta and the Maltese is only important if it happens to help him win an election?? How can you trust such a person?? Michael Falzon would have made a much better opposition leader!! At least he does not speak non-sense 24/7!! George Abela (current President) would have been perfect!!

W Cassar

Nov 4th 2011, 10:18

Exactly what I was thinking.... trying to shift the blame, they are in power.... they decided on the consultants... they wanted all the credit.

Now he comes asking for solutions from the opposition.... how dumb does he think the public are?

Yes truly PATHETIC

A. Mizzi

Nov 4th 2011, 10:07

... the Speaker will not bite the hand that feeds him!

W Cassar

Nov 4th 2011, 10:22

"At the end of the day, it is not Dr Gatt that decides which routes go where, so all this talk against Dr Gatt seems like a load of smoke"

You maybe be right.... but he is the figurehead and as such is paid for that role, he represents what his department does and along with it should resign. Just like the CEO of a company, he is responsible for what the management does.

So I guess this time you are a bit off the mark.

Carmel Cilia

Nov 4th 2011, 10:42

Christian who do you think would have got the credit if everything went according to plan. Huwa il- ministri bil prim b'kollox ma jitilfux okkazzjoni wahda li jiehdu il-proset anke jekk tinfetah triq jew semplici funtana ahseb u ara. Le Gatt ghandu jitlaq u jigi mfittex ta per ezempju dik il bicca art li ma bqajna nisimghu xejn fuqa(anke l-opposizzjoni jidher li immutat) li hadet il GO , mela qisu xejn mhu xejn.

O Schembri

Nov 4th 2011, 10:27

Naqbel Mieghek fuq din!! Imma l-EGO huwa kbir wisq u em min jissuportjah wkoll biex nghidu kollox!!

Franco you are doing the right thing!!

Lina CARUANA

Nov 4th 2011, 11:05

God forbid that Malta's Parliament should stoop further down into the abyss of flinging mud and more mud

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