Update 2: Transport Ministry: Bus reform task force "a good idea"

Anthony Pace Gouder

Nov 9th 2011, 11:36

Frankly , BUT isn't this rIdiculous and a clear proof, even when considering the size of our Country , of total failure, incompetance whatever, for a Prime Minister, of any country ( inc.ZIMB and OZ) to end-up chairing a mission (?...... only in Malta & Gozo) purposely set up to solve problems FOR a PRIVATE COMPANYwith a 250 + Bus Fleet !.

Teething trouble had been predicted only for the first few days , but an Express Service was promised, based on frequency WITH punctuality as the HALLMARK of the Reform !!!!!!!

Now we have a TF, when '...............Arriva !? ' has already been in service for more than FOUR MONTHS ! ........ LoL .

Noel Damato

Nov 9th 2011, 08:04

During last election Dr.Gonzi declared that he will take the MEPA reform in his hands.Now Dr Gonzi said that he created a task force for transport.What about PBS....an Overhaul as Franco Debono said in parlament that it is worst than the eighties. So Dr Gonzi will take it in his hands too whilest the ministers partying with the 500euro they took from our pockets. Its a 'Par idejn sodi" One person government... If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Jonathan Caruana

Nov 8th 2011, 22:22

Minn ghada jkollna transport bhal ta` Londra la ha kollox f`idu l-PM!! Jithajjarx jaghmilha ta` inspector jew kunduttur issa wkoll? Ghada mhux se naraw nies fuq stejgis u l-karozzi tal-linja se jzommu hin fixed. IMMA L-AQWA LI GHANDNA L-FJURI FIR-ROUNDABOUTS. U TM min Imexxiha jaf x`inhu jaghmel? kif tista` taghlaq awk it-toroq kollha f`daqqa li hafna minnhom huma arterji principali? Tafu xi traffiku qed ikun hemm il-Marsa kull filghodu? TM=DIZORGANIZZAZJONI ORGANIZZATA!!!

Jonathan Caruana

Nov 8th 2011, 22:15

kEMM THALLSU FLUS GHALL-KONSULENZI MINN FUQ DAHAR IL-POPLU? U jekk din ir-riforma kienet froga u t-tfassil tar-rotot kienet tbazwira kbira, dawk li thallsu tal-konsulenzi baqghu izommu l-flus? Minn dil-hela tiffranka t-tariffi tad-dawl u l-ilma u l-poplu jhallas inqas. Imma ghan-nies tieghu Gonzi ghandu flus imbaghad xhih mal-poplu. Kif tista` tafdah u tivvutalu? Tafu li baghat ittri lil tat-tarzna u lix-xufieri tal-linja l-antiki li se jibqghu jaghtu s-servizz taghom u jahdmu, imbaghad mar lura minn kelmtu? Mar lura minn kelmtu meta hemm black on white x`juri, imbaghad se jiddejjaq imur lura minn kelmtu meta m`hemm xejn x`juri bil-miktub? Tafu kemm giet tiswa l-faccata tal-MITA? Kwart ta` miljun ewro!! Minn fuq dahar il-poplu! Ma tahsbux li hela? Kemm ha flus min ghamel il-pjanti ta` Bieb il-Belt u l-parlament il-gdid? tahseb li kien zmien li jinbnew issa? Kemm ilha twissina l-UE biex innaqqsu d-dejn ta` pajjizna? Naqqasnih? Ovvja li le. Kif Gonzi jiftahar li l-ekonomija qed tikber f`pajjizna meta jidher car li hi staghgnata wahda u sewwa? Fejn hu x-xoghol, ix-xoghol u x-xoghol? mela haseb lil kulhadd mazzun?

Jonathan Caruana

Nov 8th 2011, 22:07

Il-PM ma weriex li ghandu fiducja bil-vot tieghu fil-ministru Gatt?? Mela issa la ha r-responsabbilita` hu tat-trasport pubbliku, dan hu sinjal li mhux vera ghandu fiducja fih! Ghall-kummiedja tajbin!
Ma kellu lil hadd kapaci li jmexxi t-trasport minflok il-ministru Gatt?
Franco debobo jekk trid tixxowja jew tigbed l-attenzjoni fuqek mhux tastjeni ridt imma tivvota LE biex issemma` lehen il-poplu li vvutalek. Mela la astjenejt gejt ma jimpurtakx milli qed jigri. Isa kif f`daqqa wahda, tajt vot ta` fiducja lill-gvern. Dan x`tahwid hu? Jekk m`ghandekx fiducja f`ministru wiehed, m`ghandekx fiducja fil-gvern ghax il-kap tal-partit tieghek xorta qal li ghandu fiducja fih. M`ghandekx fiducja fil-gustizzja f`pajjizna, imbaghad taghti vot ta` fiducja lill-gvern? Ghidt li x-xandir zbilancjat u taghti vot ta` fiducja lill-gvern? ARA VERA PAJJIZ TAL-MICKEY MOUSE!! IGENNUK IL-MP. ISSA NARAWKOM WARA BIEBNA SENA U NOFS OHRA!!

Mr M Spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 22:03

Lawrence Gonzi has endorsed the opposition's motion against minister austin gatt.

Mr leo attard

Nov 8th 2011, 21:18

weren't undreds of thousands of euros already paid for consultants? is the public going to dish out thousands again for this task force? Maybe he should call it IMF --IMPOSSIBLE MISSION FORCE

dominic vella

Nov 8th 2011, 20:56

prosit sur prim ministru , fl-opinjoni tieghei kienet decisjoni f`waqta. ma ghandiex dubju li bik f`tmun sa naslu u din il-bidla ta` trasport se tkun success. fejn il-poplu se jgawdi minn din il-bidla. awguri.

Mr M Spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 20:26

Austin Gatt sfiducjat mill-prim ministru

mark borg

Nov 8th 2011, 20:14

OMG, does this mean that our Prime Minister amidst all his problems he needs to act as a Bus conductor as well now ?

Ian Galea

Nov 8th 2011, 18:49

Ghaziz Prim Ministru , poggi saqajk ma l-art u itlob skuza onesta lill-poplu Malti u Ghawdxi ta' inkonvenjent papali li sewa lin nies flus u hin . . . U ftakar li qieghed hemm ghax il-maggoranza tal-poplu ghazlu li tkunu hemm u allura ghazel li tghati widen ghal x qed jghidlek il poplu mhux tibqa tilbes il-maskla ta' qisu xejn mhu xejn mill-percezzjoni tieghek , u mill-percezzjoni tal-poplu dan huwa domino effect ta krizi totali . . . . . !!!!

D. Bartolo

Nov 8th 2011, 18:31

Now that the Prime Minister is in charge of transport, it would be a good idea if he caters for the needs of the area in which he resides - Bellavista, Marsascala. As from yesterday, instead of witnessing progress like the Zonqor area (Marsascala), which has been provided with a direct route to Valletta, or similar to other areas in the Maltese Islands, we have been deprived of the only route servicing this area - circular route 124. The new Arriva subcontractor for this route seems to dictate the details of the route, to the detriment of the Bellavista residents.

VINCENT WILLIAMS

Nov 8th 2011, 18:26

If improvments are being felt day after day than this task force is a waste of money, time and it is also a farce!!

But on the other hand it is crystal clear that the absolute majority of the commuters were and are right that the public transport reform was another total failure of GONZIPARTITNEGATTIV!!

V Caruana

Nov 8th 2011, 18:00

Għażiż Prim jien nemmnek meta tgħid li l-PL m'offriex soluzzjoni waħda iżda jikkritika biss. Li kont flokok noffrilhom imqar żewġ postijiet f'dan it-Task Force. Jekk ma jaċċettawx affari tagħhom u jidhru ħażin mal-poplu. Jekk ma toffrilhomx post allura il-PN huwa ħażin u dak li tgħid mhu xejn ħlief biex taqta l-għatx bil-perżut lil PN supporters.

Joe Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 17:49

Today I used the new 44 route to Mgarr. Waited for a total of 5 minutes at the Valletta terminus and the drive was pleasant and uneventful.

lilly vella

Nov 8th 2011, 17:41

possibbli gonzi ghadu ma fhemx li l problema hija hu stess.

Pawlu Spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 17:41

just met two satisified Arriva passengers .... improvements are being felt. This is the way forward.

Liam Caruana

Nov 8th 2011, 17:35

Dan l-ahhar qieghed nirkeb l-Arriva mil-Belt ghal-MCAST u mil-MCAST ghad-dar nieqaf Blata l-Bajda. Iz-zewg nahat dan l-ahhar mhux ituni problemi, iggiefiri miniex nistenna hafna la l-Belt u laqas l-MCAST biex nigi lura d-dar, u avolja l-ammont ta' traffiku ma naqasx.

M. Bezzina

Nov 8th 2011, 17:13

biex l arriva tibda tahdem sew u kif anda tkun irid l ewwel ma jkunx hemm toroq principali mghaluqin bhat telgha ta garibaldi li tibqa sejra sa vjal lavvjazzjoni luqa...it tieni il buses irid igibhom l istess daqs bhall antiki mhux qishom train,u 3 buses irid ikun hemm l istess ammont bhal ma kien hemm qabel mhux in nofs u 4 id drivers iridu jkunu motivati p pagi decenti ,l unika haga li ghandom tajba li sa issa ,nerga nghid sa issa il magni mhumiex jarmu emissjonijiet gholja ,imma nahseb il poplu jipreferi jivga all hames minuti izda jasal fil hin milli ma jasalx jew tard estrem,

Lynn Zahra

Nov 8th 2011, 17:04

Dr Gonzi has obviously pulled Austin Gatt's coals out of the fire by taking over himself and leaving Gatt out of the game. It is obvious that finally the PM accets what every Maltese has known for years i.e. that Gatt is bad news and that he coutinues to cause severe damage to the national interest with his arrogant approach and with his manifest incompetence. It is now the PM's turn to do the damage control exercise. Regettably Dr Gonzi's track record in such instances is abominable and hardly leaves any room for hope that the issue will be resolved . We go from the proverbial frying pan into the fire. Only the very gullible will believe that Dr Gonzi's intervention will lead anywhere.

Joseph Calleja

Nov 8th 2011, 17:04

So Dr Gonzi woke up from his sleep and is going to take over, which he should have done at least two or three months ago. And when is Dr Gonzi going to take over for his Financial Minister at Air Malta and the Judicial System? Dr Gonzi was only interested in finishing City Gate and the Topless Opera House (His pet projects) and as we can see those projects are on time. The first thing you should do Dr Gonzi, is replace the management at Transport Malta like Dr Fenech did with Air Malta management. If you keep walking in the same shoes, you are going to leave the same footprints. (You can quote me on that). Transport Malta Management and Austin Gatt had over six months to fix the Arriva problem, but we are finding ourselves in the same boat we started with. It took one hero University student to wake up Dr Austin Gatt and the whole GonziPN from their deep sleep. That boat is sinking fast Dr Gonzi. You are running out of time Dr Gonzi but if all else fails you can always sit and admire Your City Gate Project and maybe take in an opera or two at the Topless Opera House (that Dr Gonzi built) in the middle of Winter. What the people are asking for is a decent bus schedule minus the scenic routes, is that too much to ask?

Alexander Pace Gouder.

Nov 8th 2011, 17:03

What I have said yesterday under article about Arriva Reform has happened and I have been proved right. An Arriva Bus trying to get through B'Kara Rd., St.Ju;lians hit a Mini Bus. Or The Minibus hit the Arriva Bus.( Street too narrow for Arriva Bus plus Mini Bus, wporst if two buses from opposit direction meet.They cannot get through at one time and stop all traffic. The traffic jam was incredable and Horns Galore. When the Warden Finally arrived after I calculated 25mins the Arriva Buses on the Rd., Nos 22 and 23 were quite a good nomber.It seemed like an Arriva Organized Carcade. Surely that all these buses were not on schedule ,all ,over 25/35mins late. Arriva take note - The Buses are too big to get through B'Kara Rd.,

Robert Vella

Nov 8th 2011, 16:55

This move by the goverment , has shown the maltse public that this goverment is an incompetent bunch of people who has worn out and depleted all of the countries rescources and now wants out , a clear sign that . Theyve lost it talking about Franco Debono's Political suicide ! this is a genocide for the PN.

Its obsured The goverment is headed by a sensless not to say unremorsefull and un realistic Priminister , what was last week's session in Parlament then Dr. Gonzi ? we listened to an eleven hour (political debate ) only for you to scrap it in 2 seconds What are you doing really ? ( should have watched Lord of the rings Saga instead .)

I guess a well eductated good minded citzen is more optable to run the country than you at this moment , Let alone A brilliant minded person which gives visions of hope , prosperity and realisim like Joseph Muscat

Go with pride call an early election

Jon Vercellono

Nov 8th 2011, 16:39

Is all doom and gloom in the south? Glad I don't live there, nothing makes anyone happy. Remember a smile goes a long way.

Francesca Abela

Nov 8th 2011, 16:34

Good job Dr Gonzi, now please sort out the Marsascala routes - ie your hometown which is in a miserable mess as from the 3rd July with some areas not well served, times not suitable and people having to walk over 20 minutes to get a Bus.

Henry Moran

Nov 8th 2011, 16:17

So the Prime Minister will replace minister Gatt to see the public transport reform. A very good sign that Dr. Gatt has all the PN parlamentarians behind him.

Veru vot ta' fiducja.

MD Fenech

Nov 8th 2011, 15:59

Quote:
Earlier this morning, Dr Gonzi said that he has set up a task force to head the reform of the bus service. He will personally preside over it.

And why is it that Dr Austin Gatt is not presiding over it as Minister? Doesn't he trust him any longer?

Jaqaw il-PM qed jaghtih il-buon servita bil-pulit?

Paul Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 15:58

The TASK FORCE should include: The malta employer's association , ALL local councils , The pensioners association, The Head of Mater Dei, The head of the Civil servants, MIA , Police , and the local Wardens.
People who have no direct connection to Public Transport like Manwel Delia should not be on the task force. The Task force should be headed by the President of Malta ( he is the only person everybody thrusts.

Edgar Azzopardi

Nov 8th 2011, 15:44

To all those who think that this is a great idea !:

Is it possible that you do not realise that heading task forces IS NOT THE JOB of a Prime Minister?

Dont you realise that during this legislature, Gonzi HAD to take over a number of tasks because of his limited talent pool (Gonzi's own admission) - MEPA, FINANCES, DRYDOCKS, AND NOW THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?.....without much success anyway!!

Is this the confidence he has in minster Gatt from whom he took many other responsabilities - obviously because Gatt is really a bag of hot air and arrogance and when you remove these traits , there is nothing left?

The PM is telling us all the HE WANTS TO GET RID OF AUSTIN GATT BECAUSE THE MAN HAS NOW BECOME A LIABILITY TO THE PN.

IF THE PM HAS ANY SENSE OF LOVE OF COUNTRY LEFT, AND NOT JUST LOVE OF PARTY HE SHOULD CALL AN ELECTION ASAP SO THAT THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE HE WANTS HE GETS FROM THE PEOPLE and not from 35 puppets on a string.

j brincat

Nov 8th 2011, 15:42

@Denis Degabriele

"good move from our Prime Minister ,this will cool some of the heads"

LOL!!!!!

(jb)

j brincat

Nov 8th 2011, 15:40

@Carl Grech

"I think this is an excellent initiative as things are definitely looking up for the situation regarding public transport!"

AND about time too!

(jb)

Denis Degabriele

Nov 8th 2011, 15:36

good move from our Prime Minister ,this will cool some of the heads that thing they are almighty and the last word is their , well done keep the good work for the country.

j brincat

Nov 8th 2011, 15:35

@Joseph Cutajar

"Sinjal tajjeb - cert li naraw progress fil-gimghat li gejjin"

Daqs kemm rajna progress meta ha f'ideh il MEPA!.

(jb)

Josef Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 15:32

Jigifieri ma kienux bizzejjed 400,000 euro konsulenza bil-ministru b'500 euro fil-gimgha zieda kien hemm bzonn jidhol il-prim biex issir rotta go gzira ta 17 il-mil!!!

Joseph Cutajar

Nov 8th 2011, 15:27

Sinjal tajjeb - cert li naraw progress fil-gimghat li gejjin.

James Catania

Nov 8th 2011, 15:26

I loved the video especially when at the end, when the TIME WAS UP, even the clock knows what is happening to the PN

Sarah Grech (Zebbug)

Nov 8th 2011, 15:20

@Grace Cassar

There's no doubt there was room for improvement in the way the old bus system worked. But was it really necessary to start from scratch? It worked well on many levels and no one can dispute that, so yes, they were the REAL experts. The service was reliable.

You only seem to be concerned with the xinxilli of it all.

@ Joe Borg

Yes, well done Lawrence Gonzi, for the increase in the salary of the Ministers, especially the one responsible for this fiasco.

j brincat

Nov 8th 2011, 15:13

“I, ara, mela he did not resign?”

Didn’t Dr Gatt publicly state that if the Opposition's motion is only defeated by the Speaker casting his vote, then he would RESIGN. This was in turn confirmed in last Saturday's Dissett.

Dr Gatt is a cabinet minister and ministers are all honourable men who would surely not go back on their word.

So I am sure that Dr Gatt will stick to his gun and so his resignation is now a matter of time.

(jb)

Carl Grech

Nov 8th 2011, 15:03

I think this is an excellent initiative as things are definitely looking up for the situation regarding public transport!

joyce darmanin

Nov 8th 2011, 15:01

se hallas aktar flussss il kunsulenti Gonzi?????? maaaaa x'hasra kif berbaq flus il poplu,jew peress li qal jerfaw il-htija il kabinet kollu PN,se jibghathom wiehed ,wiehed jirkbu l-arriva kul membru ta distrett u waqt it tour tieghu joqghod inizel il notes,ezempju il-kandidati li hargu fuq il 5 DISTRET nisugerilhom li jirkbu 206 mater die li tibda min Delimara,hehe nahseb imur jixel il fannal ta delimara ix xufier u jibqa sejjer idur ,ghax flok ma tmur delimara li ghal xejn ghax ma hemmx residenti jghamlu serviz sew u aparti hekk il japan damu gimgha sa kemm lestew triq itewal min malta u malta triq Galibardi mil airport,luqa u marsa ghadda sa l-elezjoni biex titlesta,viva il par idejn sodi

Stefan Enge

Nov 8th 2011, 14:52

WHY was the direct route from Pembroke to Valletta removed? There was the promise that we are getting the old routes back. Instead of getting our old Route 66 back we ended up no without route at all.

@A. Gatt: Could you please explain the children of Pembroke why their Nannas and Nannus are not visiting them anymore?

Terry Psaila

Nov 8th 2011, 14:50

As usual PL find the bad side of the story, without stating that the Government is actually trying to come up with a better solution. Typical

A. Mizzi

Nov 8th 2011, 14:44

Pantomini, Buzollotti u TEATRINI!
.
Meta ha jispiccaw?

Kemm ha jiswew mill-kaxxa tal-Pajjiz? Donnu hadd ma hu qieghed issemmi kemm dawn il-buzollotti gejjin jiswes lill-poplu Malti!

Sejrin jitqabbdu aktar Konsulenti u "Coaches"? U nerga intenni, MIN SEJJER IHALLAS?

Where does the Buck stop, Mr. Prime Minister?

Brian Gatt

Nov 8th 2011, 14:41

SO now our Primeminster will don his shining armour and get on his white horse and comes to save the Damzel (the commuters) in distress !!!! im sorry but its a load of Bull....

Now he is intervening? why not before he knew what was going on (hopefully he knew) he could have pulled the plug before, and save us a lot of hassle and a lot of money. By not accepting the resignation of Dr Gatt he made himself an accomplice. This is a disgusting manovere designed by the Pr at the PN headquarters so that it looks like that the Primeminster cares and listens to the people's woes, where in actual fact not only he did not accept the resigantion of the person responsible but he defended him and made the whole cabinet accountable.

Now dear Mr Knight in shining armour do you really think that we want you to save us bahhhh think again !!!

pat muscat

Nov 8th 2011, 14:29

Hmar ifahhar lil denbu!

Jon Vercellono

Nov 8th 2011, 14:21

Just as the Republicans in the U.S. pour cold water on anything proposed by the U.S. President and obstruct any moves - so it is here with the PL - what did you expect.

Nick Cassar

Nov 8th 2011, 14:18

comedy show part 2 missom semmewa il headline! pffff

Sarah Grech (Zebbug)

Nov 8th 2011, 14:15

A taskforce is a special committee, usually of experts, formed expressly for the purpose of studying a particular problem - definition by Wikipedia

I ask, what experts?

It is clear for everybody by now there are no experts in this field. The old bus drivers were the experts.

Just what we need. Another group of so called 'experts' telling us how to fix a problem created by the 'experts' themselves.

More money down the drain.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Nov 8th 2011, 14:12

Iffrankaw il misthija lin nies taghkom stess. Warrbu.

M Bon

Nov 8th 2011, 14:12

Jekk irridu innaqqsu il-problema tat-traffiku:

Nlestu u nifthu t-toroq arterjali kollha li hemm maluqin kemm nimxu billi jsir xoghol 24 siegha kuljum u mhemmx skuzi minn TM u Cikku u Peppa biex ma namlux dan.

Hafna problemi ta'traffiku nqalaw mhux habba l-Arriva imma ghax inalqu hafna toroq arterjali fl-istess hin fir-regjun ta' madwar il-Port il-Kbir. U dawn it-toroq il-godda qed ikunu wiesgha bizzejjed biex issirilhom bus lane? Jew ghal xi speed camera biss jahsbu u jirsistu tat-TM?

Joseph E Briffa

Nov 8th 2011, 14:10

The management of traffic by the police is not something new even in Malta. In all cities I have visited I have always noticed the presence of police officers managing traffic during rush hours. One also notices this at the Msida end of the Regional Road where the management of traffic lights by the police helps immensely to accelerate the flow of traffic in the area. I don't know whether the same practice has ever been tried in other areas, like Marsa by the cemetery, and if so, why it has been discontinued if it was ever tried. Another area which comes to mind is the Regional Road roundabout (the old gas holder site) at the bottom of Sliema Road. I seem to recall there was a time when traffic police used to manage the traffic flow tthere.The fact that the involvement of traffic police is resorted to during rush hours in several cities would suggest that the traffic flow is rendered more orderly and therefore faster when managed by the police. The whole of Malta has become more like a medium sized town by European standards; that the traffic density is high is an undeniable fact especially during the scholastic year. The management of traffic by the police in a number of focal points should result in a more ordery and faster flow.

John Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 14:03

After this I only hope that the Prime minister will not take over also the Law Courts because of Dr Debono Motion

Nadya Papagiorcopulo

Nov 8th 2011, 14:00

Arriva staff were very helpful with students waiting at the University Bus Terminus. Bus drivers were also very polite and helpful. In fact, my friends did not find any difficulties and got to University on time. A big improvement!

Pawlu Spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 13:56

Il-PL jinsab f'paniku ... fejn hemm l-ghaqda hemm is-sahha!! Grazzi Prim.

Maurice Cini

Nov 8th 2011, 13:56

Can TM/ARRIVA please tell us WHY the BUS no 3 to Xghajra via Kalkara was not available at Valletta Bus Station as from 11.20 till 12.45 today !!! This bus no 3 is suppose to depart Every half an hour, but now it seems that it is taking very much longer.Waiting at the Main bus station for 1hour and 25 minutes instead of every half an hour leaves much to be desired.
Public Trasport is losing TRUST and whatever TM, Arriva or any other body says the service provided is improving,it is still far fetched. My Proposal is that Please give the PUBLIC back the same old routes, as these were proven to be the best after so many years. When there are improvments to be done, one can decide for any changes that seems fit. Other than this, we are still going to face a huge increase in traffic on Maltese roads.This is because as explained Public Transport is still facing difficulty with the longer routes time frames and no time tables.These are the FACTS.

Lawrence Fenech

Nov 8th 2011, 13:53

I think 216 comments are more than enough to bring anybody to his right senses. Arriva is a mess (sic).

J.C. Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 13:47

Ma ntihomx tort lil tal-PL igorru. Ilhom imwieghda elezzjoni bikrija, mil-mexxejja taghhom, sa mill-ghada tal-elezzjoni generali li ghaddiet. Qiesu l-oppozizzjoni tiddeciedi meta ssir elezzjoni.

Imma tinkwetaw xejn ghax sena w nofs ohra jkollna elezzjoni generali, imbaghad jekk il-PL iwieghed xi haga tajba u li possibbli ssir, FORSI jsib ruhu fil-gvern.

Carmel Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 13:41

This is the greatest admission of the grotesque failure of the public transport reform under the direction of the Transport Minister Dr. Gatt.

Following Dr. Gonzi's reference, in last Friday's debate, to the importance of maintaining national stability in these dire times one would have expected him to remain focused on such pungent issues. The setting up of this multi-disciplinary committee or task force under the direct presidency of Dr. Gonzi himself has rendered Dr. Gatt's tenement of office de facto redundant. Dr. Gonzi seems to have understood that arrogance and abrasiveness do not deliver. Dr. Gatt is subtly sidelined such that Dr. Gonzi is effectively doing what parliament failed to do.

Roy Schembri

Nov 8th 2011, 13:29

The success of a task force will depend on who sits on it, what knowledge they have of public transport and more importantly what power they have. Will they have the authority (and guts) to fine Arriva for irregular timekeeping and buses that fail to turn up ? That power was surely already included in the contract signed with Arriva so why has Dr Gonzi not been implementing it - what has he been doing since July 3rd when the shambles commenced ? Given his completely inept and gutless performance up to now there is little point in him chairing a task force; indeed his lack of action since July would make it more pertinent for him to chair an Escape Committee! But the timing of his statement suggests that the Opposition motion has awoken him to some form of action.

The only language that Arriva understands is fines. No point in talking, fine them. Appoint an independent Traffic Commissioner whose task is to investigate complaints and when upheld, fine the bus company. Should further problems persist then fine them double. There can only be two outcomes. Either Arriva turn up on time as they promised or they give up and leave. I suspect the former as they (and their shareholders) know very well which side their bread is buttered !

Joe Busuttil

Nov 8th 2011, 13:27

Why not SMS the guy and inform him that his services are no longer required,like you did to the other TM minister? Two weights and two measures again.

m. borg

Nov 8th 2011, 13:25

Seems that Austin Gatt has ended up as figure head minister, because after strongly defending his minister has taken the matter of the transport reform from his hand and is preciding a commitee that he has set up.
.
What sort of confidence in Austin does Dr Gonzi really have?
.
History repeats itself with gonziPN, anybody remember the same happening with George Pulicino when after Dr Gonzi defended him on MEPA tool the authority from George's hand and added it to his portafolio.
.
Maybe this is the reason Dr Gonzi felt that a €500 per week wage increase was in order as he's doing all the work while his ministers keep running incopetently around like headless chickens .

John Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 13:22

I don't think that this is a vote of confidence in Austin Gatt What surly seem is that instead of a formal take over the Prime Minister is hiding behind this so called task force.Was there the need for him to take control of the buses also. Had he better not focused on more important matters.Dr.Gonzi said that he listen to every one so is he going to listen to those (PN activist included)that are asking for a true reform in the PBS.Does this mean that we have an incapable cabinet.

Peppi Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 13:20

Is the prime minister going to take in his hands pbs also? It's astonishing how much he trusts Austin! Shouldn't he be focusing on much more important issues? Or is Austin tying the prime minister's hands? Patching up holes on budget eve? The setting up of this task force creates more inconclusive questions than ever.

Mr J Xerri

Nov 8th 2011, 13:15

Couldn't this task force been created way back when Government was planning the transport reform instead of paying a hefty sum for someone to create such a fiasco?

Brian Stagno navarra

Nov 8th 2011, 13:04

Typical labour doom and gloom without ever coming up with a decent proposal. Everyone can criticise without having the responsability on his back but its facts that show one's determination not a load of pointless repeated statements.

Way to go to our PM, this is what serious governing is all about.

E. Azzopardi

Nov 8th 2011, 13:02

Another task force, headed by the Prime Minister and not the minister, which literally means that the minister is incapable of solving his inefficiencies. And this after euro 500 increase per week!! Which means that there is no faith in the minister. If the minister does not resign now, he never will. And doesn't the PM have enough on his plate? Yes, it is true that there is not much to choose from.

R ferriggi

Nov 8th 2011, 13:00

Ministry said:

"The political responsibility for the reform remains with the ministry but since part of the solutions go beyond the remit of this ministry, it was necessary to create an over-arching departmental body to encompass within it organisations outside this Ministry - the very effective involvement of the police in managing traffic during rush hour is a case in point

OR SIMPLY SAID : WARRAB L'HEMM GHAX GHAMILT BASLA. HA NIEHU HSIEB JIEN.

Kenneth Williams

Nov 8th 2011, 12:58

Veru kaz ta hokkli dahri u nhokklok tieghek.....Veru td dahq!!!

B Azzopardi

Nov 8th 2011, 12:52

ahseb u ara meta il mepa kienet taht il labour!11 kulhadd jibni kif irrid...jekk int labour andek l-ikbar art!!! u hallina muscat...j'alla mux ghoxrin sena ohra taghmel fl-oppozzizjoni imma ma titla QATT!!

charles tabone

Nov 8th 2011, 12:50

Dr Gonzi, inti taf li ma qtajtx sandar, la fil-kaz meta hadt il-MEPA taht idejk u l-anqas meta kellek il-finanzi u wrejtna PAR IDEJN SODI GODLIJA bhal ta' Popeye li ma wassluk imklien. Aghmel mill-ahjar u uri l-irgulija tieghek fiex tissarraf ghax din tat-trasport gabet ugigh lil kiulhadd miz-zghar sal-kbar. Mill-bqija, il-jum tal gudizzju mhux 'il boghod. Fuq kollox ghedtilna "iggudikawni mhux fuq li nghid (ghax tigdeb u tghawweg) imma fuq li naghmel (xejn ghax cicci beqqi u Austin jaghmel li jrid)

a. xuereb

Nov 8th 2011, 12:48

it was necessary to create a over - arching departimental body of encompass within its organisations outside the ministry.............................u hallina................traffic police were managing trafic when ther was the old buses, and there was a traffic policeman directing traffic a couple of days ago at the airport roundabout for tarffic coming out of the kirkop tunnel and still everything was jammed.

A Camilleri

Nov 8th 2011, 12:47

is this going to be another ARMS, totaly waist of time

Joe Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 12:46

A question to Labour - so what would you do in the circumstances? Throw in the towel like in 1998? Or take people to work using trucks like in the 80s?

Bravo to govt and Lawrence Gonzi for taking such a proactive approach!

George Calleja

Nov 8th 2011, 12:42

For goodness sake all you Labour ilks...let the government work in a quiet climate. You are all like hungry hounds barking at any decision taken for the good of the country. With all your hostile attitute, not one single labour government managed to reform the transport system. You have been in election mode since the last election but you not contributed an iota towards the country's future. All you want is power but you have no solutions to any problem.

Martha Gatt

Nov 8th 2011, 12:42

Austin Gatt did what was in his capacity as a Minister. There may be issues that require co-ordination between Ministers - that take's Prime Minister's input. i believe that is what PM is trying to do now

Jeremy Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 12:39

Admirable of Dr. Gonzi to have created this task force. As for Labour's comments, more of the same - tmaqdir minghajr proposti sodi!

Anton Vella

Nov 8th 2011, 12:37

Li nista nghid hu li min ma jaghmel xejn ma jizbaljax! facli toqghod gallarija u tmaqdar lil gvern u kull riforma li ssir minghar ma tiehu sehem f'konsultazzjoni jew taghti rakommandazzjonijiet. Sur Muscat, s'issa ghadek ma hrigt bl-ebda idea biex tikkonvinci lil poplu hlief tmaqddar kull mhu qed jaghmel il-PN. Jien floating voter u nivvota skond l-ideat li l-partiti johorgu bihom, u nippreferi idea li tista tigi ppolixxjata milli bla ideat xejn.

Mark Cassar

Nov 8th 2011, 12:37

A good decision by the Prime Minister

debbie Voss

Nov 8th 2011, 12:36

When you lack "talent" in your subordinatesthanyou have to do everything yourself. Bad management and a bad team.A good manager surrounds him/herself with the required know-how to carry out the job.

charles tabone

Nov 8th 2011, 12:30

Mela l-ewwel iddefendejtu b'qawwa, u issa qed tnehhilu s-sahha lil dottor li ma jaghmilx buzullotti. Issa zgur li tajt ragun lill-poplu. Din bhal tal-MEPA jew meta hadt il-Finanzi f'idejk u gibthom qastna. Kellu ragun Dr Debono, issa tajtna l-prova inti stess.

Diane Bartolo

Nov 8th 2011, 12:29

We must remember that during the last legislature, the Prime Minister was also Minister for Finance - and he took that decision during the most important time of our country's finances - as we were heading to join the euro. So why complain that the Prime Minister took such a reform under his hands? I'm sure that as he excelled as Minister of Finance at the same time being a Prime Minister, he will be able to amend the few changes left so that the reform of the public transport will be up to standard.

Guza Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 12:29

There are strategies that work, and others that take some time to get results. The fact that PN managed to govern for so long in a democratic society means something. We are already seeing improvements in the transport system so it is already giving results.

A. Mizzi

Nov 8th 2011, 12:24

Is this what one calls "COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY".... where the Buck stops?

Will the Prime Minister , now that he is supposed to be HANS ON, be claiming back the fees paid to consultants planning the non-ARRIVA routes?
.
Will he get manwel delia to help him as a Prospective PN candidate with experience in public transport?
.
When will the Buzollotti end?

Mary Psaila

Nov 8th 2011, 12:23

Jiena ghandi fiducja li s-servizz ta' l-Arriva jmur ahjar, pero ikolli nghid li r-residenti tal-Gharghur huma mhassbin hafna fuq dan is-servizz. Illlum perezempju mis-sebgha neqsin kwart sas-sebgha u kwart lanqas ghaddiet tal-linja wahda fil-pjazza tal-Ghaghur. Qabel kien ikollna il-venda fil-pjazza u bejn wiehed u iehor kull 10 minuti kienet titlaq wahda. Qatt ma nafni nistenna mill-inqas nofs siegha filghodu biex nirkeb tal-linja. Grazzi tal-kooperazzjoni ta' kullhadd u ta' kull min qed jahdem bla waqfien biex is-servizz jitjieb.

Martin Dimech

Nov 8th 2011, 12:19

It is of the utmost importance that this reform works. The Taxis, the mini buses, the hearses, the coaches all have, why shouldn't this one work? Well done to the PM to have given it so much weight.

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Nov 8th 2011, 12:17

I think that the PM was ill-advised to appoint himself as head of the bus reform task force. What happens if the situation drags on and the system would still be considered a fiasco by the public as now the buck has stopped with the PM. Based on the Pareto principle and given the action being taken 80 percent of the issues are likely to be resolved anyway in the coming weeks and the remaining problems especially those of delays are due to infastructural road congestion problems which will take much longer and require strong decisions to remedy. What the PM should have done is appoint a bus supremo who would be expected to report to his office on a daily basis.
But perhaps this is just a political ploy to take the transport department away from AG without being seen to have capitulated to the pressure of FD and in so doing abandon one of his key trusted ministers. This decision might help to avoid the impending budget vote crisis which would have inevitably arisen if AG was still responsible for transport for there would have been no way for FD to vote in favour with AG still at the helm of transport. Certainly at these critical times of economic upheaval there are much more critical affairs which should keep the PM busy and focused full-time.

Tyrone Camilleri

Nov 8th 2011, 12:17

Does this make Austin Gatt a redundant minister?

What a farce…to survive a vote of no confidence in Parliament, because of the speaker’s vote, only to be given a vote of no confidence by the PM himself !! Dearest PM weren’t you man enough to ask Gatt to step down in the first place?

Mark Brincat

Nov 8th 2011, 12:15

Out of curiousity: How can one person manage to lead a MEPA reform, Finances, and the bus reform all at once?

Anthony Farrugia

Nov 8th 2011, 12:08

This is more important !
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/nov/07/111111-palindrome-friday-morning

What will you be doing at 11.11 of Friday 11.11.11 ?

Noel Mifsud

Nov 8th 2011, 12:04

Kummiedja shiha

lilly vella

Nov 8th 2011, 12:02

la gatt falla u qed tammetti li falla b dan li qed tghid li se taghmel, nispera li ma tkunx kopja ta meta l mepa kienet taht idejk.

Noel Mifsud

Nov 8th 2011, 12:02

qed nisma l ahbarijeit u lanqas nista nemmen x qed tghid. Jekk ghandek fiducja fih assoluta ala ghamilt it task force lol. Veru gibtu gvern redikolu.

Timothy Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 12:02

Public opinion has always been staunchly IN FAVOUR of a new transport system.

That is why it is so important to get it right.

Many people are willing to make the change if the system is fit for purpose.

More bus users means less traffic and better air quality.

Therefore its obviously a good decision that the Prime Minister wants to get this issue perfected and out of the way.

Noel Mifsud

Nov 8th 2011, 11:56

Dik fiducja fil kabinett u f Austin Gatt. Sur Gatt issa izjed qed tidher ministru tal buzulotti ghax anke il PM holoq Task Force u se jmexxija hu. Iva jekk jamel kif ghamel bil finanzi fis sod mhux nara futur sabih ta ghal arriva ghax anke l finanzi fos sod kienu imma inteljna bid dejn.

Pawlu Spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 11:54

decizjoni tajba. jien uzajt tal-linja l-bierah u mort tajjeb. nemmen li jittejjeb is-servizz

Andrew Zahra

Nov 8th 2011, 11:52

I think the most important reason behind the Prime Minister's task force is an expression of political commitment. The Prime Minister said the buck stops with him and he's showing he means what he says.

Alex Falzon

Nov 8th 2011, 11:47

It is a good choice due to the fact that Austin Gatt has been under constant attack by everyone. Therefore, this will work like the MEPA and when the PM took over the finances.

Joseph Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 11:41

The feelings of the PM on some members of the cabinet were leaked on a wikileak, so this should not come as a surprise....

P Micallef

Nov 8th 2011, 11:40

Wrong decision. He should have sacked Minister Gatt and appoint another Minister in his stead. Or the PM could have taken this opportunity to carry out a reshuffle and assign the transport portfolio to someone else. Taking personal responsibility for the transport reform instead of assigning the task to another Cabinet Minister, as he did with MEPA, sends the wrong message about the abilities, or lack of them, of the Miniterial team. Another example of management by crisis. Otherwise the appropriate time and place to make this announcement could have been last Friday during the discussion on the vote of confidence in Minister Gatt. IThis idea seems to have been an after thought in an attempt to quell public opinion which is still very strong against the new transport system.

R ferriggi

Nov 8th 2011, 11:39

hope it goes better than the MEPA reform that he presided on.

this brings to mind what LG said to the American ambassador in wkileaks cable.

that he doesnt have good people to trust around him.

Victor Laiviera

Nov 8th 2011, 11:35

This is purely and simply meant to offer Franco Debono an honourable way out. He will be able to say that this is a vote of no confidence in Austin Gatt, that his complaints have been headr and he will be able to vote for the government with and "easy conscience" this evening.

But nothing will really change.

A. Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 11:34

Dr.Gonzi hemm izjed affarjiet importanti li trid tiehu hsieb minbarra t-tansport pubbliku l-izjed dawk il-mijiet ta z-zghazagh li bnew il-futur taghhom billi hadu l-Kors ta l-I.T. u issa qed jaraw li l-holma taghhom li jahdmu gewwa Smart City tisfaxxa fix-xejn. Uhud minnhom spiccaw qed jahdmu f'xoghlijiet li m'ghandu x'jaqsam xejn ma dak li taghlmu u marru waiters jew part-time postmen u b'paga mizera u ohrajn waqfu milli jkomplu l-Kors ghax tilfu kull tama u ohrajn hadu kors iehor. Hemm kellna l-futur tal-pajjiz f'dawk iz-zaghzagh u hazin jekk mhux se nsibu solluzjoni mill-iktar fiss possibli ghax hafna se nkunu ghallimnihom mit-taxxi taghna u se jgawduhom pajjizi ohra.

tony abela

Nov 8th 2011, 11:33

I hope the Transport reform do better than the MEPA reform under the personal care of the Hon Prime Minister.

Can somebody give him the statistics of the increase of the private cars on the road since July and more important the increase in Pollution, especially CO and Benzene, which are directly related to the pollution caused by combustion engines used by cars.

tony abela

Nov 8th 2011, 11:30

I hope the Transport reform do better than the MEPA reform under the personal care of the Hon Prime Minister.

Can somebody give him the statistics of the increase of the private cars on the road since July and more important the increase in Pollution, especially CO and Benzene, which are directly related to the pollution caused by combustion engines used by cars.

Olivia Bartolo

Nov 8th 2011, 11:26

This is another good move to see more improvements

JOE ZAHRA

Nov 8th 2011, 11:26

A week is a long time in politics,72 hours is atonic speed, Dr Gatt resagnation was not accept but the PM is to take over .PLEASE EXPLAIN

R Psaila

Nov 8th 2011, 11:23

So we can conclude that the Prime Minister does not have faith in Dr. Austin Gatt.

Vanja Galea

Nov 8th 2011, 11:19

this is another commitment towards a better service. Prosit. Minister Gatt managed to get the change and now it will be refined. Improvements were already felt yesterday and it will surely continue to improve.

Grace Cassar

Nov 8th 2011, 11:16

The Prime Minister is never afraid to shoulder responsibility! Be it directly his or not!

He is helping out where there is need. I see no shame in that. Isn't that what we are all supposed to do? Help our team members succeed?!

Lawrence Cardona

Nov 8th 2011, 11:16

This brings 2 things in reality 1st is that with this action is it true that that the Prime Minister said the te EX US ambassador that he does not have quility people to trust and 2nd is that with this action he confirms that Dr Austin Gatt make a poke with the transport system and now he try to solve others things and for all that he gave them an extra 500 a week bonus

A. Mizzi

Nov 8th 2011, 11:14

Is this a vote of "No Confidence" in Minister Austin Gatt?

Isn't Minister Austin Gatt not good enough anymore ?

Marlene Mifsud

Nov 8th 2011, 11:13

Its good that we can see this dedication coming from the government to keep on improving and listening to the people.

mario scerri

Nov 8th 2011, 11:11

Tistennewx sorprizi ghax se tkun f'idejn il-PM. Harsu lejn il-MEPA meta hada taht idejh wara l-ahhar elezzjoni generali. Ma nbidel xejn hlief il-hlasijiet ghal-permessi.

Charles Micallef

Nov 8th 2011, 11:11

Prime Minister to head bus service task force


So do we take it that Dr Gatt was not good enough to complete the job?

A Dimech

Nov 8th 2011, 11:10

X'tahwid!!! kif spiccajna.

L'ewwel nghatu 500Euros zieda lil Ministri, imbaghad ma nistghux nafhom jaghmlu task force! tal-Biki.

Qatt ma kellna gvern bhal dan!

Charles Cremona

Nov 8th 2011, 11:10

I got on a bus last week from Valletta to Birzebuga at around 4.30 pm we hit Paola and an almighty traffic jam, everything came to a standstill for about 15 minutes, so no matter what changes take place to the bus service things will not improve untill we reduce the number of cars on our oads which is now so high it is bringing areas of this small island to a standstill. The government has to think the unthinkableand it has to start looking at increasing the price of fuel to be able to subsidise a national bus service and encourage people to leave their cars behind and use buses instead. Something has to be done otherwise everything will soon come to a halt.

A Dimech

Nov 8th 2011, 11:08

How stupid is this!!!

No PM in any other country leads a task force on buses!!

Why did he not handed to any one of the cabinet? why did he not back the vote of non-confidence then? It seems he, himself cannot trust Gatt anymore!!

I think Gonzi is seriously loosing track of what is going on!

A Dimech

Nov 8th 2011, 11:06

Is that not a Vote of non-confidence in Austin Gatt from the PM himself?!!!!

Anthony Paris

Nov 8th 2011, 11:06

When the "boss" takes over the project from the "employee" it shows that the boss decided that the job is too much for the employee. We now have to ask the question "How capable is the boss?" He tried this trick with MEPA at election time and it worked beautifully. But now we now know that this was a purely political ploy which produced votes but no benefit to the public.

Irrespective of whether the public transport system is eventually fixed, the fact that (a) it took much longer (b) it is going to cost much more than planned (as with every other project they undertake), shows the incompetence of the leadership.

steve Micallef

Nov 8th 2011, 11:04

Kind of what he did with MEPA?

Nigel Spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 10:57

So why do you need Austin Gatt in your cabinet?? Recently you took from him the responsibility of Air Malta, took from him the responsibility of Ene Malta, now you are taking from him the responsibility of the fiasco he did in the transport reform....and so on! Tell him to resign after tonight's vote. WE don't need these arrogant people to administer the country.

J. Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 10:57

In reality, it is not practical for PM Gonzi to personally lead everything. Like all humans on this planet, he has 24 hours. The fact that Ministers cannot be thrusted with leading such a task force is a bit worryiing. Why has PM Gonzi have to lead such a task force too ? I

FRANS H SAID

Nov 8th 2011, 10:57

GOOD SHOW - I had been one of the vociferous, but this is the way to do things. If you cannot trust those around you you have to do it yourself. It is all part of management.

May I now kindly ask that routes 49 & 58 be reinstalled. They do not need to pass through Dawriet il-Gzejjer on the way out but through Il-Halel and St Anthony.

On the way to Qawra they can follow the old route via Toni Bajjada & Dawriet il-gzejjer. There are enough bus stops to cater for this.

ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC.

Jimmy Magro

Nov 8th 2011, 10:55

We have to face the facts.
When society is transformed from an industrial society to a service society, public trnasport becomes less of an attractive option and I explain why.

First of all we have Malta full of commercial vehicles doing all kind of services. I hope the PM will publich the figures of commercial vehicles in 1987 and now to see the difference. Hence this number of vehicles on the road is a must as this work cannot be done by public trasnport.

Secondly you have less people working in industrial enterprises who are tied to their seat; they even required a permission to go to the toilet. Hence their transport needs was restricted to home-work-home in an organsied bus or mini-van.

Then you have an increase of persons that by their very nature of work they have to leave their office to have meetings with third parties. Imagine having a meeting at 11.00a.m and you have to go with ARRIVA, leaving your workplace at 0900a.m. and returning at 3.00pm for a one hour meeting. Many of these executives travel with their private vehicles as this is the most comfortable and economical.

There is an increase in the number of hired and leased vehicles. These have their plates with Y, K and QZ. These are vehicles and on the road and one can do very little to reduce their use.

The public transport is used by those that work in Valletta (public servants), people having an errand and do not know how to drive or own a vehicle, and those that have a fixed point of work and do not need to go out from their offices.

Unless one understand the demographics and the social aspect of the bus users, one cannot devise a good transport network. It is wierd to make a bus that leaves from Zurrieq to Qrendi, Wied iz Zurrieq, Lapsi, Siggiewi, Dingli Cliffs, Dingli, Rabat, Mtarfa, Mosta. Who the hell is going on this bus? And then this goes every hour?

The solution is to offer destinations that are used by humans on a frequent basis. You cannot service the one-offs. Public transport is mass transport and not a taxi.

It would be very difficult if not impossible to change our culture to use public transport. It would have been even better had the government created Public Private Partnership to build car parks around major localities so that people can park their vehicle and then organsie community transport around.

There need to be some focus groups with different categories of people to establish their needs as vox pops on TV is not representative enough.

Some more work need to be done in order to get organised and move on.

G Schembri

Nov 8th 2011, 10:52

Let us hope this task force is made of people who know what they are doing and not political appointees. The problem with the previous reforms was that the people managing the were just friends of friends and not experts. Hopefuly this taskforce will go in the street with the people and not take decisions from the comfort of their offices. I wish them good luck. Hopefully the public will have a punctual and relevent transport system.

Daniel Vella

Nov 8th 2011, 10:52

Hemm hu... il-par idejn sodi!!!! Pay the ministers an extra Eur500 per week out of public funds in order to make them more productive and when the going gets tough Gonzi himself gets going.

Patrick Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 10:44

So first, our PM transfers responsibility of Enemalta to another minister, now he is to head a "watchdog" over the same minister who did not loose any sleep lately.

Seems like our PM was right when he said what he said to the American ambassador.

joseph spiteri

Nov 8th 2011, 10:43

Mepa situation repeating itself

Nicholas Cassar

Nov 8th 2011, 10:42

Joseph Borg, I beg to differ.

Ma qbiltx ma' kull haga li ghamel dan il-Gvern, pero` li tghid li dan l-aghar gvern li qatt kellna turi kemm qed tirrepeti kull haga li jghidulek il-'media' tal-PL. Tirrealizza li hemm pajjizi KBAR li waslu biex ifallu (eg: l-Italja), u li hemm ohrajn li ghandhom rata ta' qghad ta' 40%, u li dawn huma pajjizi b'ekonomiji hafna, hafna ikbar minn taghna?

Tirrealizza xi jfisser dan? Ifisser li aw pajjizi fejn qas xoghol ma jkollok u ghaldaqstant qas flus biex thallas ghal tal-linja, ahseb u ara kemm sa tkun tista' taqbad tal-linja u tgerger ghax ma tasalx fil-hin. Minix qed nghid li kollox ward u zahar - fadal hafna x'isir, pero nies bhalek ixandru politika distruttiva, politika tal-LE.

Albert Farrugia

Nov 8th 2011, 10:37

Why can't the government simply be humble and accept that the July 3rd reform FAILED. Plain and simple. The public were led to believe that from that date onwards public transport would be reformed, not that a process of reform would begin, a process which no-one knows where it would end. As it is, the efforts that are being made are just to bring the new service to the level of the old one.

John Caligari

Nov 8th 2011, 10:36

So it was true what he said to ex-USA ambassador that he did not have a choice of people to name as Ministers.
What he is doing is loss of faith in Agostino.
The Second time after relinquishing him of Ene Malta.

raymond scicluna

Nov 8th 2011, 10:33

Bright decision. Like he succeeded handsomely in the handling of Mater Dei where in just 6 months it opened the doors, he will do so even in the public transport reform. Good luck

C Muscat

Nov 8th 2011, 10:31

Nawguralek. Jekk smajt sew lil Gatt; qal li l-ftehim mal-ariva jinkludi the maximum waiting time...jekk tirranga din tkun irrangajt hafna naturalment jibqa r-rotot li rridu naraw kif gew.

James Grech

Nov 8th 2011, 10:28

It seems that the PM has in fact realised that both Minister Gatt and his ministerial associates made a mess out of this reform and is actually taking it into his hands to see it through. Why, I ask, has the PM not acknowledged this mishandling? So when MEPA was failing under minister Pullicino, he vowed to take it under his responsibility, which he did, however ppl in the business will tell you to which level of success this has actually translated. Now that the PM is taking this reform under his patronage, I don't actually know what to expect. Its maybe a way of taking the blame for the shortcomings of his ministers. But rather then taking the blame and making sure the buck stops with him, shouldn't he be responsible enough to say that certain things and members of his government have failed and that he in turn failed to also make these things right?

Paul Pace

Nov 8th 2011, 10:23

When there is something not functioning well, like MEPA, DEFICIT, here comes the PM as if he has the magic wand!
The PM is risking a lot. What if the public transport does not reach its high expectations?
Will there be a NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE on the PM Dr. L. Gonzi?
Will he resign?

John Grech

Nov 8th 2011, 10:23

Tajjeb li qed izomm il-momentum il-Prim Ministru. Dawn l-affarijiet trid tkun hands-on biex tehlishom.

charlie cauchi

Nov 8th 2011, 10:21

nawgura lil prim ministru li jirnexxilu jiranga is sitwazjoni u mhux jigri bhal ma gara fil finanzi tal gvern, fejn suppost irranga u is sitwazjoni marret mil hazin ghal aghar. u bdin il mossa il prim ministru sfiducja lil gatt, bla dubju ta xejn wara li nehhilu min taht idejh l enemalta u it taqsima tal water sevices issa kien immis li bil pulit inehhilu it trasport publiku ukoll. ministru gatt il priministru bil pulit qed jghidlek warrab, mintiex kapaci, iftah mohhok u tibqax twebbes rasek.

Alfred Grech

Nov 8th 2011, 10:20

Planning a route system for Malta is not an easy task and frankly I was expecting some major improvements over the previous system but it looks like the planning was done by people who were not knowledgeable enough to come up with a proper plan. It was a catastrophic mess.

Hope the PM's take over will translate into serious improvements. I have not used Arriva yet and still hesitant to use their service for now.

Joseph Sammut

Nov 8th 2011, 10:18

Why does a Prime Minister have ministers? Why does he have to get burdened with such a chore? I understand this as a confirmation of the minister Gatt's failure for which he had to resign: it did not happen because of political circumstances and not as minister Gatt claims that he has the full backing of the PM.

Kevin Cauchi

Nov 8th 2011, 10:17

Din hija l-problemi tal-pajjiz: it-trasport. Ghalkemm nixtieq li nehilsu minnha, u sewwa li qed tinghata importanza, xorta x'differenza mill-kaos li hemm fil-pajjizi l-ohra tal-Unjoni Ewropea!

ALBERT FENECH

Nov 8th 2011, 10:16

Governance and politics has been reduced to a Greek Farce (or more appropriately a Greek Tragedy) by this crumbling Government. This has been the road map to total collapse so far - the Minister for Transport reduces the public transport system to a shambles; the PM, instead of sacking him (yes, sacking him - not asking him to resign) apparently even refuses his resignation; the Opposition does the work the PM and GonziPN Cabinet should have done by proposing a vote of no confidence in the Transport Minister; one solitary GonziPN MP sticks to his guns and refuses to support the Minister for Transport; this lone MP is vilified and pilloried within GonziPN ranks; the GonziPN faithful lament that with the whole world economically collapsing around us, our Parliament had to waste time debating the public transport system - on the basis that the PM has far more important things to do; so what does the PM do - he ignores the economic collapse around us and names himself as head of a public transport Task Force! This is side-splitting stuff, a total farce. All that needed to be done was to sack the Transport Minister and appoint an immediate replacement efficient enough to right the shambles wreaked by their predecessor - BUT, as a result of the self-confessed lack of talent in PN ranks, there was presumably nobody suitable enough to take this role!!!!! The mind reels and boggles.

ALBERT FENECH
Qawra

Karen Cauchi

Nov 8th 2011, 10:14

Since this issue first broke out I've already seen an improvement in the bus 43 I take to work. I'm sure this move will continue taking the system in a good direction.

VV Bartolo

Nov 8th 2011, 10:11

prosit Dr Gonzi.

imma nsaqsi jien; la wasalt ghal din id-decizzjoni brillanti mela sinjal li kien hemm problemi veri dwar l-Arriva! ... allura nsaqsi jien kif ivvotajt kontra, nhar il-Gimgha li ghaddiet u gejt urejt ficucja fil-fjaski ta' Dr Gatt? fil-votazzjoni tar-referendum inti ma ddejjaqtx tehodha ghal darba u anke tnejn, kontra r-rieda tal-poplu ghax hassejt li kellek tivvota skont il-kuxjenza tieghek. allura nhar il-Gimgha ghalfejn m'ghamiltx l-istess u ma vvutajtx skont il-kuxjenza tieghek Dr Gonzi?

Malcolm Mifsud

Nov 8th 2011, 10:11

Ohra bhal tal-MEPA mela gejja

Diane Bartolo

Nov 8th 2011, 10:09

A typical decision of the leaders of the Nationalist Party - when one Minister needs some help, he always finds the Prime Minister backing him up! I think that this decision will continue to improve the public transport service! Once again, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi always meets expectations!

Petra Baldacchino

Nov 8th 2011, 10:08

bhal ma zamm il-finanzi tal-pajjiz sodi u stabli, listess bit-trasport....

Lina Ghirxi

Nov 8th 2011, 10:06

So Austin Gatt didn't do his job well!!! PL was right!! And yet GonziPN didn't agree with PL's motion!!! And yet still Gonzi takes over the mess Austin Gatt got us into and is taking his place!!!! Quite confusing!!!!

John Scerri

Nov 8th 2011, 10:06

Some who post their comments here are NEVER satisfied with anything .

When something created by the Government goes not as expected they go through an orgasm.
They take joy in downsizing ANYTHING ...anything ....even if it were for thier own benefit.

They show no respect whatsoever towards the Prim Minister and his colleagues by creating nicknames..This also goes to those who show disrespect towards the Leader(any leader) of the Opposition.

Yes ...Dr.Gonzi made a good move ....He succeeded in tackling the Libja crisis relations brilliantly ...or do we forget so quickly.
This Transport service needs fixing and i am sure that in the near future all major problems will be dealt with .

For this to be a success each and every MP from both sides of the house must give ones feedback .
Support is needed from everyone , even those who use the buses.

Discipline must be enforced against those drivers who obstruct traffic flow by parking vinditively close to or under bus stops .
The public MUST ...buy prepaid tickets ...JUST DO IT >>>it's simple.

As for those who take pleasure when things go wrong ...Its your own egoistic nature you have to change .

catherine galea

Nov 8th 2011, 10:02

good decision. nahseb in-nies dak li jistennew minn Prim Ministru li ma jiddejjaq xejn mill-isfidi.

Saviour Vella

Nov 8th 2011, 10:01

How much is this going to cost us, the tax payers. What about the 420000 consultancy fee?

Joshua Agius

Nov 8th 2011, 10:01

Ovvja li kien hemm titjib. U m'ghandix dubju li jekk izomm tassk force il-prim ministru se jkun hemm iktar titjib ghax hija kustjoni ta' prioritajiet.

Frans Aguis

Nov 8th 2011, 10:00

Fl-ahhar f'par idejn sodi

Mr Christian Cassar-Torregiani

Nov 8th 2011, 09:59

I am sure that the general public really appreciates the Prime Minister's efforts in sorting out the problems, however did it really need to reach such a situation ?

To all intents and purposes it's not even Minister Austin Gatt who should have handled the problem, but the directors at Transport Malta, and it is this entity which should have faced all the music.

The way its turning out is that the Prime Minister is doing the work that Transport Malta should have, and should be doing. This leaves less time for the Prime Minister to carry out his own tasks.

The country has wasted time, money and energy discussing Ministerial and Collective responsibility whereas in reality it is those managers who were responsible for the public transport re-organisation in the first place who should have been taken to task and made to resign.

Perhaps this is where Minister Gatt should be faulted, but in any case this is one of the country's biggest defects, where political appointees seem to get away with fracas and mismanagement--whichever party is in power.

And this is the main cause of the country's self inflicted problems, which then require extra time, effort and money to set right, as the public transport situation amply demonstrates.

The sooner this mentality is rectified, the better.

joe muscat

Nov 8th 2011, 09:59

Il-prim jaf li hafna bajd mhux tajjeb ghas-sahha, issa xbajna kuljum froga .

Claire Abela

Nov 8th 2011, 09:59

Well done Mr Prime Minister, you will have a success as always! Just keep in mind one thing, Manuel Delia cannot be trusted any more, he did a flop in the bus service and everybody knows about it, but he has done many more fiascos in the past and nobody knows about them!!

pat muscat

Nov 8th 2011, 09:58

Mela il-Prim Ministru m.ghandux x'jaghmel? Filli jara id-debate fuq il-froga tat-trasport hela ta hin; u issa se jahli il-hin tieghu fil-froga? Mela vera sewwa qal Gonzi li HADD mil-ministri m'ghandu talenti x'jofri; gvern tajjeb biss biex jaghmel il-frejjeg!

Nigel Holland

Nov 8th 2011, 09:58

I strongly suggest, as I had done elsewhere, that this task force would include a couple of representatives of the general public who actually make use of public transport as their only means of transport and not just a bunch of technocrats who have no experience on the ground.

Nigel Holland

Joseph Mercieca

Nov 8th 2011, 09:56

Kont qed nittama li l-Prim Ministru jiehu decizjoni bhal din. Kien jidher bic-car illi l-Prim Ministru kien qed jevalwa s-sitwazzjoni. Konvint li bhal ma ghamel dejjem se jirnexxielu jsolvi il-problemi li baqa malajr kemm jista jkun.

jien nuzha s-servizz regolari biex ma nghidx kuljum. Hemm differenza kbira mis-sistema l-antika ghal dik tal-arriva. Veru kien hemm il-problemi imma zgur li ma tixtax tqabbel dak li kellna qabel ma dak li kellna llum. Konvint illi f'qasir zmien nigu hawn u nghidu kemm ghandna sistema ta trasport pubbliku efficjenti

Martin Vella

Nov 8th 2011, 09:56

Its good that public transport is being treated seriously. There are varios important measures left to be done but I'm sure if there is commitment like this they're not impossible changes.

M Vella

Petra Baldacchino

Nov 8th 2011, 09:51

@ Claire Busuttil - I have used Arriva from Mosta, Valletta, Birkirkara, Hamrun and Msida and I have always found the service to be reliable and efficient. In the beginning, there were certain mistakes such as when the 31 route was more frequent than the 41 in Mosta, but this has been amended and today you rarely see people waiting for more than 15 minutes on a stage, which I find to be perfectly acceptable. I have also seen the introduction of X6 which is a really efficient direct route and which all commuters seemed to appreciate when I was on it.

Mark Camilleri

Nov 8th 2011, 09:51

So do you think its fair for the Prime Minister to have this all on his shoulders? He is a responsible person, unfortunately others in his cabinet are responsible for the messes he is trying to clean up!

Victor Laiviera

Nov 8th 2011, 09:50

"Dr Gonzi did not take questions after his announcement"

Not hard to figure out why, is it?

catherine galea

Nov 8th 2011, 09:49

Is-servizz tal-Arriva tjieb hafna minn mindu beda, anke t-tibdil li rega sar nahseb li se jsolvi hafna mill-problemi li jien baqa. Veru li mhux facli tbiddel mentalita u kultura pero nahseb illi anke n-nies iridu jaghmlu l-parti taghhom.

Nahseb il-Prim Ministru ghamel l-ahjar ghazla li jiehu f'idejh din ir-riforma.

Joseph Muscat

Nov 8th 2011, 09:47

I suggest that Dr, Gonzi starts by getting on bus 91 in the morning rush hour to get to his office. He will have a very good idea were he should start.

Paul Cassar

Nov 8th 2011, 09:47

IF THE 'BEST' MINISTER'S PERFORMANCE WAS THIS...........................I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT THE OTHERS CAN DO.

IF THE CABINET WAS ALREADY RESPONSIBLE.......AND THE PRIME MINISTER IS ITS HEAD..............WASN'T THE PM ALREADY RESPONSIBLE ????

ISN'T THIS A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN ONOR GATT JUST TWO DAYS AFTER GOVT WAS SAYING THE OPPOSITE.

HOW LONG ARE WE BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE (EXCUSE THE PUN ) ?????????

P. Ciantar

Nov 8th 2011, 09:46

better late than never but I believe that things will be better under L Gonzi as he always performed and did the right thing without I know it all factor. Obviously better than leaving everything in Mr Delia hands after following his comments on face book better for a young immature student than to an executive

Victor Laiviera

Nov 8th 2011, 09:45

This transparent gimick is unlikely to impress anybody.

Mr Charles Falzon

Nov 8th 2011, 09:45

Minn ministru ghal ghand iehor.....decizjoni thassar lil ohra......dik serjeta' ta gvern!!!!

Jo Azzopardi

Nov 8th 2011, 09:44

@ last
very well done.........
but those this mean that the previous managment was a flop????

A. Mizzi

Nov 8th 2011, 09:44

Is this a vote of No Confidence in Miniser Austin Gatt?

Isn't Austin gatt not good enough?

Hossam Helwani

Nov 8th 2011, 09:44

The Prime Minister should be admired at this decision. Whoevever took over the bus service project made a mess of it . The Prime Minister trusted people to carry it out like any Prime Minister would have done.

It shows that the team in charge of the new bus service made a blunder of it , since its initiation things have improved a lot, but I am sure that there is more to be done.

I admire the Prime Minister who was humble enough to take it over and admit that it needs attention. What is wrong with that?

I think it is easy for us to sit back and criticise and jeer . I note with dissappointment that when something goes wrong many enjoy themselves showing how disgusting a person can be.

The new bus service started on the wrong foot. Whoever forgot to take in consideration various important factors like

TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS

CONFUSING ROUTES

UNNECESSARY CONNECTIONS

LONG JOURNEYS

EXTRA LARGE BUSSES

these made a big mistake when these were overlooked. I applaud the Prime Minister for taking the huge responsibility when he himself is not trained to take over such a task. But I am sure he will get the right people to rectify this service. Now if you call that arrogance, then I dont know what to say. The Prime Minister here is showing us how serious he is and how effective he is to take decisions.

Jo Meli

Nov 8th 2011, 09:43

VOT TA' SFIDUCJA LILL AGOSTINO PIO MINGHAND DAK LI TAH VOT TA' FIDUCJA NHAR IL GIMGHA !!!!


Kemm kellek RAGUN Franco !

Maria Grech

Nov 8th 2011, 09:42

"Prime Minister to head bus service task force" - leadership at it's best. Well done Dr. Gonzi...i'm sure you will succeed...as you did with Euro, Libya Crisis, Economic & International Crisis and all the difficult moments our country faced.

Andrew Zahra

Nov 8th 2011, 09:42

Excellent move. Its good to see the Prime Minister taking the bull by the horns. That's the way to deal with problems.

joe vella

Nov 8th 2011, 09:42

the no confidence vote did not pass last friday, but now gatt got his no confidence vote directly from the PM

what a holy mess, and if gonzi manages to get the results he got at mepa, lord help us all !!

Ethelbert Schembri

Nov 8th 2011, 09:41

This is the worst vote of confidence against Agostino Pio and the transport reform !!!

All this cheap talk from the PM and he acknowledged all the things the opposition against the reform said !!... So The PL and Dr Franco Debono where right after all !!

Mr Peter Vella

Nov 8th 2011, 09:41

Isn't this overkill? Let's face it who really uses the buses in Malta, tourists, those under 18 and pensioners. The majority have long ago given up on it and use their private cars. For the PM to use up his precious time on sorting out a problem that affects a small minority is a bit too much.

Timothy Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 09:41

In all this no-one has mentioned one thing: that when the government feels the need to make changes, these changes are implemented not like in the old system when a call for change would have ended up in a strike!

m borg

Nov 8th 2011, 09:41

A la mepa mela gejja xi froga ohra taht il-par idejn farsa.

John Clease

Nov 8th 2011, 09:40

Now this is a very clear confirmation that the Opposition's motion made a heck of a lot of sense! More than that it is also a confirmation that the PM made a mistake not to have accepted Minister's Gatt resignation. An opportunity lost.

R. Gauci

Nov 8th 2011, 09:40

Din xhieda ta` x'Gvern ghandna, il-Prim Ministru kellu jiehu f'idejh il-karozzi tal-linja, vera kabinett tal-misthija. Fittxu inzlu min hemm, we need professionals to manage this country not well-paid amateurs.

Joseph Camilleri

Nov 8th 2011, 09:39

Last time we had something similar was when Dr Gonzi took the MEPA reform under his wing.

Expect similar results!

John Grech

Nov 8th 2011, 09:38

Illum kont ghaddej minn regional road u kien hemm wiehed nahseb kien qed jiccekkja l-buses li kienu ghaddejjin. Hekk ghandu jkompli jsir u huwa ovvja li kien hemm imbuttatura ghall-ahjar.

V. Cauchi

Nov 8th 2011, 09:38

Very well done, Prime Minister.
Keep it up but please do not hesitate to take other hot issues in hand too.

j. mangion

Nov 8th 2011, 09:37

may i suggest;

1. open up competition in transport.
2. old buses, revamped and reinstalled with euro V engines,
to be used as tourist attraction in tourists area.
3. mini buses and coaches to organised and be encouraged,
to provide school transport, all tourist tours + activities,
and office+factory workers transport.
4. new+fresh agreement with Arriva.

Charles Attard

Nov 8th 2011, 09:37

Min mindu bdiet l-arriva, jien bdejt nuzah kuljum. Is-servizz tjieb hafna minn Lulju sal-lum specjalment issa bl-ahhar tibdil li sar. Pero din ta dalghodu hija ahbar tajba...ghax cert illi la se tkun f'idejn il-Prim Ministru l-affarijiet se jkomplu jitjiebi.

Bhal ma ghamel success f'diversi affarijiet ohra...cert li jghaddu gimghat ohra u nghidu li Gonzi rega wera li ghandu par idejn sodi. !

Claire Busuttil

Nov 8th 2011, 09:36

it is the very least he can do now. We are in a total mess!! I refused to critisise at the beginning but now, 4 months later, we are still living a nightmare, so someone should take some responsibility of this. People are reporting late to work and school. Do you think nowadys a person can afford to be late to work???? with the situation we`re in.

Christina Pace

Nov 8th 2011, 09:35

Ha ha good move! Though it might have been actually helpful had this been done in July.

Patrick Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 09:34

Our PM also said something very similar as regards to MEPA some time ago.

Did that help MEPA respect the environment, stop issuing ODZ permits or knock down certain "boathouses" built on public land?

A. Zammit

Nov 8th 2011, 09:33

The next thing we will hear is that Austin Gatt has resigned. Frankly such a move on the part of the PM is a clear indication that he has lost his confidence in him. Pity, as I consider Gatt as I one of the main 'drivers' in the current cabinet.

Rachel Bugeja

Nov 8th 2011, 09:32

Yet again Gonzi is showing that he's on the ball! With Labour moaning and groaning that the government is insensitive Gonzi yet again proves Labour wrong by taking the bull by the horns! This augurs well for an even better service than the one already being given.

Carmel Borg

Nov 8th 2011, 09:30

Il-Prim Ministru rega wera sens ta' serjeta u tmexxija. L-iktar li jispikka li dan hu gvern illi jisma n-nies. Wara li ghamel diveri tibdil ghal ahjar, issa l-Prim Ministru ha jarha li tinholoq l-ghan tar-riforma. Well done !

Adrian Tabone

Nov 8th 2011, 09:29

Shouldn't Gonzi be focusing on heading MEPA first ? There is that pending sewage plant permit which is halting 5800 jobs .... remember? Smart city .... does this sound familiar to you ?

Victor Laiviera

Nov 8th 2011, 09:29

This is a repeat of the MEPA business just before the last election. Gonzi said he would take it under his wing. We all know what happened.

More "bżar fl-għajnejn",as we say in Maltese.

Gary Jameson

Nov 8th 2011, 09:29

Dear Prime Minister - if you are still talking of bus reform after introducing a new system and then four major changes (one a month) thereafter, check out www.maltabus.net

You may find it useful.

Peter Murray

Nov 8th 2011, 09:29

This so-called " task force" is very tardy and should have been in place immediately Arriva was awarded the contract for public transport services-as it was almost 18 months between this date and the commencement of Arriva operations so what confidence should we now have ?

Ms Xaxa Caruana

Nov 8th 2011, 09:27

Nisugerixxi lil Dr.Gonzi, li jaqbad din it-task force u jduru pajjiz , pajjiz halli jisimu l-ilmenti ta min jirkeb kuljum ghax xoghol, hemm ikun jaf vera x'hini il-problema, u forsi isir xi haga.

d. attard

Nov 8th 2011, 09:27

Things are moving from bad to worse. Following a 'failed' motion that, if approved, would have seen a seriously non-perfoming minister being replaced by someone who would hopefully perform, (the list where perfomance by Dr Gatt was poor to woeful is to long to go into; the fact that Xarabank et all stay away from discussing these failures does not makes these failures less onerous) now we have the Gonzi PN figure acting the superman and saying that he will lead the charge himself. This is indeed very rich considering that the new process has gone through its learning curve fraught with mis-planning and inefficiences, and it is now quite a straight forward thing to finally get the balance right even if the final cost to the taxpayer remains unknown. We had a similar situation in the Mater Dei issue...so what it will be next time round...Dr Gonzi in a one minister fit all role...should we start practicing our hails and whatnot? Has Dr Gonzi come to a stage where he actually believes his own spin?

Petra Baldacchino

Nov 8th 2011, 09:26

I've already seen a leap in the state of the service. I'm confident that with this latest intervention things will be running smoothly in no time. People underestimated the huge overhaul the change in public transport would entail!

j brincat

Nov 8th 2011, 09:26

Kmieni stenbah!


(jb)

anton cassar

Nov 8th 2011, 09:24

So now we have it that Prime Minister Gonzi is Heading a task force for public transport....Now thats really a vote of no confidence in Minister Gatt !!!