EU acting against Malta on 'discriminatory' bus fares
The European Commission is to launch formal legal proceedings against Malta over Arriva’s “discriminatory” bus fares, The Sunday Times has learnt.
A letter of formal was sent to Malta last month asking the Government and Arriva to change the “discriminatory” bus fare system as it is currently infringing EU rules.
Since the Arriva service was launched, residents of Malta have been charged less than non-residents.
This system was lambasted by non-residents, insisting the system was discriminatory and did not comply with EU rules.
The Government insisted it was doing nothing wrong, since the difference was based on residence rather than nationality.
The EU executive is arguing, however, that the system infringes EU law and should be replaced.
Full story in The Sunday Times.
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Alex Buds
Feb 11th, 23:26
"The Government insisted it was doing nothing wrong, since the difference was based on residence rather than nationality."
May be true in theory but not practice. Any Maltese citizen capable of speaking Maltese or showing a password gets the resident rate, whether resident or not. My personal experience.
Emanuel Curmi
Feb 11th, 14:15
Discriminatory tariffs or treatment is an injustice irrelevant whether its in Malta or any other EU country period. It is surprising why some people try to sweet talk the issue or justify it because some other country does the same. EU law forbids it and I expect our government to prevent such abuses and not encourage them.
Robert Mawby
Feb 11th, 09:16
As a regular visitor from the UK I am more than happy to pay 12 Euros for a 7 day ticket. I think this is excellent value compared to the buses here in Northamptonshire, where a 4 mile trip to our local town of Rushden is over £5!!! The best way to offer residents a better deal would be to offer monthly, or even annual tickets at a good value price.
A Tonna
Feb 11th, 08:29
The EU never acted against the government for us Maltese being amongst those with lowest wages in the EU
Michael Campbell
Feb 11th, 07:16
And A.G. would still go to Brussels and tell them that they are all stupid and that he knows best and that the term discrimination does not even featur in his vocabulary.
On second thought, he would not even be arsed to talk to those stupid and incompetent low lives from Brussels.
A.G. - his head is so up his own ass that he can't even Smell his own s**t.
Stephen Gatt
Feb 11th, 06:12
Everyone knows it was wrong! But it is as everything else short lived... Now tariffs should be reevaluated and move on... Who lead, and took the final decision was not an Arriva manager? These people amuse me!!! Everyday politicians make us as fools... Behind close doors and yet we all clap!!!!
John Turner
Feb 11th, 01:03
This very evidently has nothing to do with racism; the discount is simply down to residential status.
I don't know enough about Arriva's funding to know whether or not it's just. However, I do know that if they insist on this action, then to be consistent, they should also be investigating the existence of local rail cards in the UK.
John Turner
Feb 11th, 00:58
If charging Malta residents is contrary to EU rules, how is it that I get a one-third discount off train fares when travelling off-peak in the English counties of Devon and Cornwall because I am resident in Plymouth in Devon?
I have a local rail card. These are available across the UK rail network according to whether or not someone is resident in a particular place.
Philip Micallef
Feb 11th, 00:06
This is a joke as all cities and countries in EU carry out this discrimination. When I lived in Paris from 1999 to 2003 a way of getting cheaper transport was to obtain a months pass and this pass could only be obtained by residents of L'Isle de France and nobody else! One had to produce either proof of residence such as a utility bill or permis de sojourn.
Tony Marsh
Feb 11th, 12:36
Are you sure ? I've lived here for 32 years, and have only ever been asked for a photo to be put on the card....
Rita Deguara
Feb 10th, 22:38
Malta has different for everyone and everything.
Last time I visited Malta 2 yrs ago we stayed in a hotel in St. Julians, when we checked out, to my surprise I was handed a bill for a phone call to Canada, 8 minutes call for 90 Canadian Dollars.
Off course I tried to get some money back, , travel, communications and no one could help because the hotel owners wouldn't reply, ripping off their ow
Thomas Mifsud
Feb 10th, 21:50
Allura l-Arriva kissrulna l-karrozzi bl-accidenti li jkollhom, ziedu t-traffiku bis-servizz fqir taghhom, sewwieqa barranin li lanqas jafu jitkellmu bil-Malti, waqqawna ghaz zufjett bil-bendy buses u issa se jwehhluna l-multi mill-UE ukoll?? U l-ebda ministru ma jerfa responsabbilta. 9ta' Marzu ejjew naghmlu bidla f'dan il-pajjiz.
Christian Borg
Feb 10th, 21:37
Although it must be said that a foreigner which recides in Malta but does not possess malteseID should also be given this fare
Christian Borg
Feb 10th, 21:37
I think if the fare is to get more than €1.50 for Maltese citizens we should boycott the Arriva for one day and if it doesn't solve the problem, we do it again... It is what Martin Luther King did when there was injustice and it would be what we do when we face injustice!
Christian Borg
Feb 10th, 21:33
To be fair then if we have to pay level taxes in europe it would also be fair to receive level payment to our work! It is a known fact that there is no work that a maltese person does in Malta that is paid the same as doing the same work at another european country!
Mr leo attard
Feb 10th, 19:33
il-PN qatt ma ghamel hazin, hux hekk qalilna!
David Borg
Feb 10th, 18:04
Most bus services in UK are also subsidised, but charge the same fare for all. Malta take note!
Also museums in UK are free entry (with a donation box). I refuse to go into any museum in Malta due to high entry cost. If entry was free, with an optional donation, I and many others like me would use them more and thus would probably receive more in donations than the current entry fee.
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 17:34
The EU finance countries like ours so that we stay in line with the EU standards. For example what would happen to England if the likes of Malta decided to pull out from the Dublin 2 treaty and allowed immigrants to go up north?
What impresses me is the negativity said by expats regarding Malta. If the island is such a horrible place to live in that why stay there?
joseph green
Feb 10th, 17:13
Kemm huwa tajjeb li dhalna fl E.U. halli hadd ma jaghmel li jrid , ghalhekk ikun min ikun fil gvern u tinholoq xi sitwazzjoni ingusta ghandna fejn immorru , x differenza meta konna barra mil E.U.
George Cassar
Feb 10th, 17:09
Dr. Gatt and Mr. Delia - this is your fry-up. We are waiting for your explanation that this is not just another buzullotta. Ah no it can't be because the "zmien tal-buzullotti" ended on the 1st July 2011.
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 10th, 17:00
"........since the difference was based on residence rather than nationality." which of course makes it a whole lot less discriminatory.
Why should the pockets of the Maltese residents suffer through compensation and lawsuits, because of the Governments decision to pick and choose which EU Laws to follow? Resident ID cards valid for travel but not for utilities etc
[email protected]
John Vella
Feb 10th, 16:52
while holidaying in spain a few months ago , I noticed that they adopt a similar arrangement to enter a museums. Non residents had to pay double the fare residents did!... Is this also illegal?
Lawrence Attard
Feb 10th, 17:09
yes it is, since we are all citizens of Europe
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 19:10
Does two wrongs equal one right?
Rita Deguara
Feb 10th, 22:52
they over charge us in everything, including phone calls which no one wants to hear about, phone charges for an 8 min call for 90 Canadian Dollars
Philip Micallef
Feb 11th, 00:09
Mr Vella is 100 per cent correct. In Spain residents are entitled to visiting museums free of charge while tourists are not. Like in France residents can also obtain one month transport passes at cheaper rates than the normal fares but only residents can obtain such passes and not tourists including EU ones.
R. Cilia
Feb 10th, 16:48
Good timing EU. Now the maltese commuters expect to have an increase in bus fares. Froga ohra ta' GonziPN. Thanks Austin.
Joseph Sant
Feb 11th, 08:19
Is soluzjoni hi li nohorgu mil EU. Viva il PL ghax fuq din johrogna zgur.
Mr Mike Rizzo
Feb 10th, 16:36
The PC way to give residents a better deal is to offer quarterly or annual season tickets for frequent users. Residents who do not use the service frequently are not going to be affected that much anyway.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 10th, 15:38
Those who are complaining that their taxes may be used to subsidize fares for non residents should keep in mind that taxes paid by European taxpayers are being used for the one billion plus in EU funds Malta will get over the next seven years! Just compare the two and then keep quiet!
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:38
exactly Wilfred - nobody seems to mind my UK paid taxes being used to fund smaller countries projects.... yet they are happy to undermine and discriminate agaonst the EU citzens who live here and contribute to the economy in all sorts of ways
Jonathan Camilleri
Feb 10th, 16:41
I hope that Arriva Malta don't increase the tariffs for local citizens to make them fair, this would imply quite a few complaints.
Lawrence Attard
Feb 10th, 17:16
qabel ma tparli ara din...http://eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=83598
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 17:19
With all due respect but we're given the money so that we remain 'in line' with the EU standards.Have you ever wondered what would happen for the rich former colonists if the likes of Malta decided to stop nannying immigrants and allowed them to go up North?
Victor Calleja
Feb 10th, 17:26
What one million plus? Can't you read. Minus half a million we give back.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 10th, 18:47
@carlos ellul With all due respect, the money Malta receives is not so that it remains 'in line' with the EU standards. And what do rich former colonists and immigrants have to do with Arrival bus fares? Your comments are so out in left field they make no sense at all.
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 19:12
the only comparisons needed is between right and wrong
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 19:12
the only comparisons needed is between right and wrong
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 20:05
The funny thing is that this situation (recieving more money then actually giving) is a temporary thing. On the other hand, our role as Europe's Ellis island is permanent. As I said to you these countries have built their wealth on other's people's back. We've got more chance of producing players who are better then Messi then get one over them.
Emanuele Grimaldi
Feb 10th, 15:31
How about the gozo ferry as well?
Joseph Sant
Feb 11th, 08:25
Jekk jitla Joseph din id diskriminazjoni digi eliminata zgur. press wiehed ghal kulhadd.
Anthony Caruana
Feb 10th, 15:22
Michael Catania, In Malta OAP travel free on buses too. Are you proposing extending this concession to all EU citizens visiting Malta?
John Pace
Feb 10th, 16:32
Not true. We over 60's pay 30 -50 cents fare. In UK resident OAP's travel free but visitors pay the full fare. You need a apply for an OAP permit which takes weeks, Mr Catania is right.
James Grech
Feb 10th, 15:19
eh wow!! So apart from the fiascoes which still persist within Arriva, now Malta will most probably be fined for adopting this attitude, which by the way, many ppl thought was unfair and should not have occurred in the first place. But I hear an echo of someone saying that "Zmien il buzillotti ghadda"..it seems not.
Jonathan Camilleri
Feb 10th, 16:42
Jien nahseb li sakemm nibqghu nfittxu x-xaghra fl-ghagina, dejjem ha nsibu xi buzullotta, ghax kulhadd jista' jiehu zball.
Iris Baitrman
Feb 10th, 15:16
And they say the Maltese are not bias or racists.. pull t'other Jacko t'is got bells on it mate. What about the tier prices then. jot that down on the list Brussels.
Gustav Svensson
Feb 10th, 15:02
Tx EU:)
Dennis Thompson
Feb 10th, 15:01
Hey I am a foreigner and had 20 + years in Malta. I AGREE the non-resident higher rate. I remember Switzerland charging a transit tax for non-resident vehicles passing through that country, Italy had a higher rate for tourist on the toll autoroutes but discounts available in voucher from the ACI organisation, and various cultural centres over europe charging extra admission to tourist , but it
Pauline Peterson
Feb 10th, 14:29
Why not 2 euros for everyone. Is it that hard to work out?
Well done to Ms Graham and the rest who are working hard to achieve equality of fares for all.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:43
Many thanks Pauline Peterson - we at [email protected] and www eucadmalta.webs.com need all the support we can get to move this forward and rid the island of this blatant discrimination - and it doesnt stop at just bus fares and utility tariffs.
Oisin Jones-Dillon
Feb 10th, 14:27
Malta’s discriminatory two-tier bus fare scheme features prominently in this brief video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qChNrB5Sjhw&utm_source=trigger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=you_tube_ready
Oisin Jones-Dillon
Philip Lingard
Feb 10th, 14:19
Long overdue action by the EU.
Patently obvious the scheme is illegal and that Minister Gatt is plain wrong in defending it.
If there is a deep desire to fleece the tourists and back local residents, sell a deeply discounted monthly ticket.
Joseph Sant
Feb 11th, 08:27
good idea
Steph Grima
Feb 10th, 14:14
I don't now why I am bothering to reply to this. But to start with, if we want the buses in Malta to be used less and for the service to be even worse, higher prices for tickets are the way to go. When I was living in the UK I was spending 60GBP a month on buses,while earning double the salary I have in Malta. Buses were barely used and very infrequent just because few people actually use them.
keith perry
Feb 10th, 17:41
Steph Grima Time to go back and see how things have changed now then.......bus lanes, congestion charges, impounding vehicles illegally parked.. oh and the police have Number plate recognition devices in every car... no tax or insurance or MOT and the computer flags it up -needless to say in major cities it simply makes sense and STILL cheaper to use the bus....
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 14:12
The claim made here that"residents of Malta have been charged less than non-residents"is patently false and misleading and that is the whole issue.As Arriva(through a goverment diktat) demand that one's I.D. card indicates you are a MALTESE national and that irrespective of whether or not you are a permanent resident here (how may this be proven to Arriva drivers?)non-Maltese are charged more!
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 10th, 15:40
Peter, "Aliens" ~cough~ with Maltese ID cards are seen as residents by ARRIVA and receive the "subsidy" but not by ARMS. Drivers ask anyone who does not look Maltese for proof of residency.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:45
if you look dress or speak maltese then your not even asked for the id card.....so Arriva stop hiding behind the "we use discretion when the bus queues are long" excuse - as that is exactly what it is....the sooner this fiasco is stopped the better
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 17:42
Any resident in Malta can apply for an ID card. I have British and German friends of mine who have one.
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 10th, 19:15
You are right Mr Ellul, any RESIDENT can apply for, or could before it was scrapped, an ID card to show they are resident here, but have you asked your friends what tariff they pay for their utilities Domestic, zero residents (30-65% more) or residential
The ID card they have is accepted on the buses to show residency. That same card however is NOT accepted by ARMS LTD
[email protected]
David Willow
Feb 11th, 07:12
not any more carlos ellul...you must now provide full paperwork which was not requried for the old id card...for example - old id card, passport, evidence of work, evidence of ability to support yourself and family, bank stateents and savings, evidence of healthcare cover. Many will not apply for the new one-some will some wont
Thomas Rubicon
Feb 10th, 14:01
The Standard Arriva fares are those charged to non-residents.
When the change-over from ATP to Arriva took place, no one in his right mind was going to foist those “standard” fares on the local residents. Hence the government subsidized those lower fares from our taxes, which visitors do not pay.
Let no one assume that if this goes the wrong way, the lower fares will prevail for all.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:48
what about all my taxes that were paid into my EU member state and have been given to Malta as a handout...dont they count then - if not then i want my money back and call for the EU to cease these payments to Malta until such time as they cease discriminating against us. and by the way I pay taxes here but am treated like a leper in many cases.
Lawrence Dimech
Feb 10th, 13:56
I together with my fellow Maltese citizens fought hard against this injustice from day one. EU wants to act after two years?, how efficient! For us Maltese and EU citizens It has very little to do with split fares but the pride of being born Maltese.
Lawrence Dimech, Sydney, Australia
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 13:52
the government base these unjust,discriminatory fares solely on RESIDENCY claims which clearly is fabricated nonsense as it is not remotely applied on this basis.The same can be said for the two-tier tariff system for water and electricity which is inflicted upon non-Maltese(although permanent residents) The governments absurd and perverse rationale clearly does not hold water(nor electricity)
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 13:51
the government base these unjust,discriminatory fares solely on RESIDENCY claims which clearly is fabricated nonsense as it is not remotely applied on this basis.The same can be said for the two-tier tariff system for water and electricity which is inflicted upon non-Maltese(although permanent residents) The governments absurd and perverse rationale clearly does not hold water(nor electricity)
Ben Glian
Feb 10th, 13:41
It seems the Maltese don't really understand how the EU rules wil be enforced. Of course any change won't result in lower fares for all, but the Maltese wil end up paying the same as the tourists do now. Theses rules dont pay for themselves you know. Maybe the govt. will subsidise fares for all from the 1.1 billion the EU wil be giving Malta, or will all that cash just go to the govts. Cronies?
Mr mario aquilina
Feb 10th, 13:41
And once more-Cannot get anything right at the first go.
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 10th, 13:37
Is this really how we want Malta to be seen?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qChNrB5Sjhw&utm_source=trigger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=you_tube_ready
Most Maltese are honest, hard working people with great pride in their homeland and who can blame them, but this Government Legalized rot has to stop. EU Law demands it.
Emanuel Bajada
Feb 10th, 13:30
The EU should note that it is the residents of these islands that are short changed in this case, having to fork out such a huge subsidy from their taxes to Arriva to offer our vistors such a pittance of fare, 12.00 euro for an unlimited use of a fantastic service all over both Island for 7 full days airport back to airport. Where in the EU this is possible? Where? In which European city?
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:50
its not the point - when you go to another EU state your bus fare and utilities are priced exactly the same - wake up and smell the coffee man
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 18:18
David please do go to Venice. You'll see that its certainly not the case.
Mark. Galea
Feb 10th, 13:25
Seems these foreigners writing here do not understand the system. If one lives in Malta and pays taxes, then s/he is eligible. Do not forget that the government subsidises public transport, money that the TAXPAYER is paying. So where is the problem and the issue? If one is a foreigner, s/he does not pay taxes, and so pays the higher fare.
John Grima
Feb 10th, 15:47
Are visitors to Malta exempt from paying VAT or do you consider vat as not being a tax. Don't visitors also pay airport tax, or is that not a tax either. Seems to me that you only consider tax to be income tax and National insurance. Why don't you check how much tax is actually paid by visitors to Malta in their restaurant & Hotel Bills & everything else that they spend money on.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:52
house insurance tax, motor insurance tax, road tax, vat , tax on fuel , air passenger tax - almost everything here carries a tax of some sort - who on earth do you think gets that.....
John Grima
Feb 10th, 21:41
@David Pillow
So what is your point? Tourists buy fuel for the rented cars, the car rental includes the car insurance tax as does the rental for apartments, so apart from N I and Income tax visitors to Malta contribute to most taxes collected in Malta and yet they have to pay higher bus fares.
Mr Stephen Borg
Feb 10th, 13:03
You know why our bus service is cheap for us Maltese and more expensive for foreigners? It is so because our wages are too low and we cannot pay that much for the use of public transport.
V. Cauchi
Feb 10th, 12:59
I recall a time when men used to stand and give their seat to women on buses. Today its foreigners forking out a different fare. Anthropologists please note: travelling on a bus with a day's reduced fare ticket will give you enough information to write a thesis.
Philip Pryce
Feb 10th, 12:52
I really don't see where the discrimination lies. If a person is resident in Malta and paying tax, he pays the cheaper fare because the buses are subsidised out of our taxes. If you don't pay tax in Malta you pay the higher fare. Anyway, the 'higher' fare is very reasonable compared with most EU countries. Now the bleaters will get what they want. We will, of course, all pay the higher fare.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:54
so you and all the others who support this two tier fare and utilites - will be happy to pay double when you go to another member state...yes right - pull the other one,
Allin Chessum
Feb 10th, 12:47
Dear Maltese People, I and my Partner Visit Malta every Year for two weeks, been doing so for twelve years, We have no Objection to Paying More than The maltese People on the buses, Providing The Arriva give a Good service, Have a Good Year (Regards) AJC
jason thorley
Feb 10th, 12:37
I warned peole back in 2011 that now Malta is in the Eu it will not get away with any form of discrimmination.So now the Hardworking normal Maltese and eu residents who live there will foot the bill.Who ever allowed this to happen in power should be liable.Fed up with members of parliment doing what they like then getting away with out a hitch leaving the "people" to foot the Bill.Take responsibi
Anne McGreevy
Feb 10th, 12:24
I am an expat. living in Australia and visit Malta regularly. This year will visit for the first time since Arriva took over the busses. Does that mean my husband and I will pay more than my cousins and other locals??
If that happened in Melbourne or indeed anywhere else her in Oz, there will be hell to pay and people will loose their jobs pronto. Shame on you Malta
Joe Caruana
Feb 10th, 13:17
Anne McGreevy, YES you will be treated as a foreigner and if, like me, you carry a MALTESE passport you will still pay Euro 2.80 when illegal immigrants pay E 0.50 concession. I was there last April and was treated like a foreigner irrespective of my MALTESE passport and my speaking to them in Maltese. It was not a good feeling. It is discriminatory and an insult to us expats visiting family.
Emanuel Bajada
Feb 10th, 13:32
If in OZ you pay less than 12.00 euro for 7 days unlimited travel all over both islands, starting from the airport when you arrive to the airport when you depart, then shame us!!!!!
Kevin Cassar
Feb 10th, 13:38
Don't feel too bad Ms McGreevy, discrimination is the norm over here. We even discriminate between the residents of a city and the rest with residents only parking. As someone once said - We are all equal, but some are more equal than others.
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 13:45
Dear Anne,
The answer to your question is a clear, unequivocal and resounding -albeit totally unacceptable-YES.And by locals it is only Maltese locals that pay the cheaper fare and not any othe residents
Iris Baitrman
Feb 10th, 14:29
Hear hear well said Anne, i quite agree, its silly really some ~Maltese think that all foreigners are naive, but little do they know they are shooting themselves in the foot and biting the hand that feeds them., if this happens anywhere in Europe namely Holland Belgium or Germany and better still the UK, there will be a bloody riot, but this time for a good cause. Jeremy Small.
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 14:57
You sure will pay more.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:55
YES it will...unless of course you are the illegal holder of an M id card....
G. Caruana
Feb 10th, 12:22
One of the issues with the previous public transport system was that Tourists were being overcharged by the old bus drivers. NOW tourists are being overcharged with the blessing of the authority. That is extorsion 'legalised' by Arriva in collusion with Transport Malta.
JIMMY ATANASIO
Feb 10th, 14:08
that is not true.i am am a maltese living in canada and when i came to malta i was charged the same as everyone else with the old buses.arriva has no bussiness raising the prices for the visitors.that just isn't fair and since i'm coming this year i would like to see a change.
GL Calleja
Feb 10th, 14:41
"We are Maltese and we do as we please." Hopefully this will too stop.
G. Caruana
Feb 10th, 16:22
JIMMY ATANASIO: YES this is true. Otherwise why is the EU getting involved in this.
Read these articles:
1) http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080501/letters/overcharging-common-on-the-buses.206248
2) http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100905/local/one-price-for-maltese-another-for-tourists.325481
Any more that I'm not being allowed to post...just make a google search.
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 12:17
Its a start and better late than never as they have given the Maltese government far too much leeway and time to accountably address this issue .Next up -the water and electricity tariffs discrimination!But the Maltese government (maybe a"new"one will be more receptive and just) will continue to cite it is based on residency issues -which is clearly a fabrication and a circumvention of facts.
Peter Simpson
Feb 10th, 12:10
Anke bicca amministrazzjoni tal-biljetti tal-karozzi tal-linja gerfex? Mela ta Transport Malta ma jafux li ma tistax tiddiskrimina kontra cittadini Ewropej ohra? Kemm thallas dak il- bravu konsulent li dahhalna f'dan l-inkwiet kollu: li iffrankajna mill-biljetti sa jigina gholi! What a mess!
Joseph Sant
Feb 11th, 08:32
Issa jitla il pl u jirranga kollox. prezz wiehed ghal kulhadd xjuh jew zghazagh, malti jew ghawdxi jew barrani, kollox listess Gozo Channel jew Arriva, prezz wiehed ghal traggit minn 'a' sa 'b'.
Emanuel Farrugia
Feb 10th, 12:02
Success fuq success. Fejn qieghed il-Ministru responsabbli u 'l habib Emanuel Delia jew bhal issa jinsabu f'xi Coffee Morning? Karnival.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
GL Calleja
Feb 10th, 14:43
Good question? Ma ghadekx tisma nin ghand dawn it-tnejn jekk ma jkunux jaqtaw xi zigarella.
michael catania
Feb 10th, 11:59
In the UK, pensioners and others on benefits travel on public transport for free. When OAP NON- RESIDENTS are visiting the country they are obliged to pay the full fare. Is this not discrimination as well and why has the EU not tackled it. Maybe Malta is small fish with a gutless Government.
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 15:01
The money for 'free' pensioners' tickets in England comes from local council taxes, which foreigners do not pay, but pensioners do. There's no such thing as a free lunch. I pay £1300 a year in council tax.
Anthony Caruana
Feb 10th, 15:27
I like your logic Michael. You are proposing that that as Maltese OAP travel fee on buses in Malata and Gozo EU citizens should be extended the same concession.
James Dewar
Feb 10th, 11:56
About time too! Will there be refunds given that the money has been wrongfully taken?!
C Cassar
Feb 10th, 13:00
As long as people kept their tickets as receipts that won't be a problem. I f they haven't kept them then tough luck.
GL Calleja
Feb 10th, 14:45
No refunds allowed. Besides we were not aware that we were doing anything wrong by charging different fares from different people. Hehahaha.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 16:59
since when were the government here not aware of these discriminatory practices....there has been plenty written read and spoken about it --ostrich and sand springs to mind
Anthony Weitz
Feb 10th, 11:52
I don't think Malta should be forced to change it's bus fares. It's an autonomous country and should be able to charge whatever it pleases. I think rather all other European countries should update their fare structures, and charge Maltese more for bus trips when they are holidaying in those countries.
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 15:02
As long as Malta takes EU cash, Malta has to abide by the rules. It's as simple as that.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 17:00
yes and if that were to happen and the mlati tourist knew about it there would be uproar....its a disgrace simple as that
Jay Oatmon
Feb 10th, 11:42
It seems Malta operates on double standards one for the Maltese and a different one for non Maltese - we should all pay the same prices.
The party in power thinks it can shaft the tourists to keep lower prices for the locals - this shameful state of affairs now has to end.
Mr Leon Zawadzki
Feb 10th, 14:29
This is normal practice for the Maltese. Bars, restaurants, local fruit and veg vendour's etc have the habit of operating a two tier price structure. One for the Maltese the other for a foreigner. Very few will give out vat receipt's on purchases to foreigners unless they wear a tie. (they get the impression that anyone wearing a tie, is a vat inspector) So what is new?
GL Calleja
Feb 10th, 14:46
"We are Maltese and we do as we please." But it seems the EU does not agree with that statement anymore.
James Dewar
Feb 10th, 16:20
Yes many of the street fruit and veg sellers see non residents coming a mile off and try to offload substandard items to them at inflated prices. They don't like being challenged either and can get decidedly grumpy!
James Dewar
Feb 10th, 16:23
@ G L Calleja: That's the problem in joining a club, you thereafter have to abide by the rules of the club and can no longer operate as a free spirit! Just another price to be paid for losing National Identity.
R. Cilia
Feb 10th, 16:41
Mr.Zawadzki, wear a tie then :)
David Willow
Feb 10th, 17:02
this practice is still current even now - and even worse really as if a bar owner knows you are a local then he doesnt charge the same rate as a tourist gets charged....and its still a different rate thats charged to the malti local - e.g three rates really not two.
keith perry
Feb 10th, 18:05
Mr Leon Zawadzki: Is it also not law that prices of goods, drinks,etc should be clearly displayed as well? Quote "It is compulsory to indicate the selling price and the unit price of all products offered by traders to consumers, in order to improve consumer information and to facilitate price comparisons. Prices must be unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible."
check that EU!
Carmel Grima
Feb 10th, 11:32
Of course the high tourist bus fares are discriminatory !
A Year 1 pupil could have told that to Austin Gatt. Probably that same pupil existed and gave his/her advice but as usual Austin did not listen. Now, will someone define arrogance to AG please.
Ing Carmel Grima
Tom Broadley
Feb 10th, 11:29
Not before time, long overdue!!!!!
Neil Dent
Feb 10th, 11:23
Elves. Elves everywhere!
Alan Kay
Feb 10th, 11:21
And the end game is? Fares will be "equalised" for both residents and non-residents. Does anyone seriously believe they will be at the lower of the two levels?
For everyone to pay the same involves a cost and an increase in the lower fares - the Maltese will pay a higher fare and not be happy about it.
The same will apply when whichever government is in power, has to clear up the utility bill mess
Joseph Sant
Feb 11th, 08:33
Labour always comes up with a solution. you will see.
W. Cassar
Feb 10th, 11:08
Next it will be the electricity tariffs!
Who comes up with these chicken brain ideas?
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 15:03
The people who are being screwed, that's who.
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 10th, 11:02
The sad thing for Malta is that this Government *think* they have a right to discriminate, and will argue such.
Austin Gatt has a lot to answer for, but won't.
T Mifsud
Feb 10th, 11:01
As predicted on the day this was launched, never mind the excuses given by AG that it is not discriminatory!
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 10th, 11:00
Ha ha ha issa anke lil-EU qed indahqu bl' Arriva froga mill bidu sa l'ahhar u miljuni biex nehhejna il-busses ta' qabel folklor ta' Malta biex infaqna milljuni ohrajn biex introduceja kummidja ta' busses.
David Azzopardi
Feb 10th, 11:38
Nahseb ahajr titghallem taqra ghax il-kwistjioni mhux fuq l`Arriva , imma fuq in-noll!...li fl`ahhar min l`ahhar qed jajd li ghalina il-Maltin hu irhas!...x`faqar ta mohh!
G. Caruana
Feb 10th, 12:33
David Azzopardi: So your plate of pasta is more expensive than that of a Tourist?
David Azzopardi
Feb 11th, 06:35
@ G.Caruana...whats ure point?...this has nothing to do with the busses, its about the fares.
*Joseph Brincat
Feb 10th, 10:48
The European Commission is to launch formal legal proceedings against Malta over Arriva’s “discriminatory” bus fares,
WHAT A SHAME AUSTIN GATT GOT AS IN !!!
Joseph Camilleri
Feb 10th, 10:57
@ joseph brincat
you did not read the article! so you have not even understood the meaning! Discrimination in fares has nothing to do with service. Discrimination in fares is another affair. This should apply to Gozo Channel as well whene Gozitans are getting preferential treatment when a lot of them hardly qualify for it at all.
David Azzopardi
Feb 10th, 11:41
The SHAME is having people with a lack of common sense
Philip Grech
Feb 10th, 10:44
Wara din nistenna li jsir xi haga dwar id-diskriminazzjoni bejn Maltin u Ghawdxin. Huwa sigriet maghruf li fil-waqt li l-Ghawdxin jibbenefikaw izjed, jikkontribwixxu inqas. Hawn xi hadd 100% sincier li jmerini?
0% li dan jigi ppublikat.
David Azzopardi
Feb 10th, 12:28
L`argument u li L`Ghawdxin jinzlu Malta biex jahdmu kulljum.. mux ghal btala.kif naghmlu ahna
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 10th, 10:43
I remember when the fares where out myself as many others wrote on the Times that it will not be acceptable to the EU. However GonziPN and gang never listen. Before I used to think they are arrogant, today I realize many of them are simply dumb, no wonder we have lost so much EU money under their stewardship.
*Joseph Brincat
Feb 10th, 10:42
ARE WE ALL European WHAT THE SAME RIGHTS OR NOT ???
Francis Sammut
Feb 10th, 10:20
The government's argument if nothing else, is weak to the extreme and residence and nationality got nothing to do with the issue at hand. In the EU everyone is to be treated equally whether residents or not. When I and my family go on vacation to the UK we are treated like any other residents living there and we do not pay extra, period. Dr Gatt once argued that we pay extra when we go abroad!
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 10:59
If you go to Venice you're going to pay extra to use the same public transport. I can assure you that.
Simon Peter Spiter
Feb 10th, 12:47
yes carlos we know, but they don't charge you extra if you are a tourist
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 17:14
I was a tourist there Simon.
Godfrey Zammit
Feb 10th, 10:16
Besides this is discriminatory I don't think this is a good for tourist that visit Malta.
S. Attard
Feb 10th, 10:15
Mhux hekk! U dan kollu ghal wara l-elezzjoni! Mhux dak kien il-hsieb m il bidunett?!
Ray Woods
Feb 10th, 10:13
Water and electricity next?
Helen Jackman
Feb 10th, 10:59
Good point!!
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 10:03
Why should my taxes go to subsidize the non EU residents bus ticket fares?
S. Vella
Feb 10th, 10:31
Your taxes are NOT subsidising non-residents' bus fares. Non-residents are subsidising yours.
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 10:58
No its not. The subsidies are being paid from our taxes, taxes which non residents dont pay. Malta is not the only place were these systems exist. I've had to pay double to use the Venician public transport as I am not a resident there.
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 15:06
What about the millions Malta gets from the EU. Where do you think that money comes from- Santa Claus?
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 15:07
@ Carlos Ellul
Well, Italy's broke- you are helping the people there.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 10th, 15:31
Carlos,why should taxes paid by other European people be used to give Malta over one billion Euros for the next seven years?
Anthony Caruana
Feb 10th, 15:33
What do you mean your taxes subsidise non EU residents bus fares? Who is talking about NON EU residents?
carlos ellul
Feb 10th, 17:16
We're getting subsidy so that we can 'reach' EU standards. It has advantages on both sides. We get the money and we are expected to act as stop gap for all immigrants coming from former colony lands from reaching the lands they belong to.
richard reece
Feb 10th, 10:02
Surely not again, how many more infringements does Malta has to have, sure its a naughty little island, had its fair share of a negative outlook from Brussels, i wonder if they reduce the subsidies for the next 7 years as a penalty but this one along with the vat tax and discrimination against us foreign residents is going a bit over the top i say. Have nice weekend and behave.
Lucienne Dimech
Feb 10th, 10:02
Good we need a policeman to be fair in this country. We discriminate all the time in many ways. I hope that this sort of treatment towards those who help our economy stops once and for all.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 09:59
and about tiome too - noe do the samefor the utility billing as well......another infringement..along with car tax and registration
Doreen Camilleri
Feb 10th, 11:10
agree. As well as the yearly road tax. I pay triple for the same car just because i imported it myself.
David Willow
Feb 10th, 17:09
Yes Doreen and iif that exact same car make model engine mileage etc etc etc was a unit that was bought new or second hand here it would be much less expensive as an import is classed as one bought elsewhere - - ALL CARS HERE ARE IMPORTED...
V. Cauchi
Feb 10th, 09:55
Unfortunately, many things are done for the glory of a short period of time until caught out and counteracted by penalties which become more newsworthy than the original flawed event.
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 09:51
About time.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Feb 10th, 09:47
This issue I wrote and commented TOM 6th Aug 11
This is a wild disci minion tboss ....
How could we be in the EU and because I happen to hold. British p/port I have to pay more?
Ninu
john muscat
Feb 10th, 09:47
It would be good to know whose bright idea this was.
Ronnie Callus
Feb 10th, 09:41
Se' ndumu nafgu Dr.Gonzi ????? Staqsi daqsxejn lil Simon fuqha din, suppost jafhom il-ligijiet ta' l-EU jekk ma' jghidtx ukoll li ma' jafx bihom ukoll bhalma ghamel Austin.
Janet Bayes
Feb 10th, 09:28
About time too. Wonder how long it will take to implement new fares?
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 15:09
How about 20 years?
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