(Adds PL statement)

The Transport Ministry this morning denied taking a political decision not to answer a European Commission query about dual-rate public transport ticket prices.

Replying to a claim made yesterday by Labour leader Joseph Muscat, the ministry said that the ministry had given Transport Malta and the secretariat instructions on their reply, a draft of which was being prepared to be sent to the Commission in the coming days.

The ministry said that the government’s reply was consistent to the direction taken by Malta on the issue so far and this was that the country had the right to introduce different rates for residents and visitors and that this was permissible under EU rules.

The ministry said that with the shadow Dr Muscat was casting on Malta’s position for purely partisan reasons, he was putting Malta’s position at a disadvantage. It warned that if the difference in fares was removed, tourist fare would go down but resident fares would have to be increased.

While the Maltese depended on public transport daily, a €12 euro weekly expense for unlimited public transport travel was insignificant for tourists.

But Dr Muscat was indifferent to the social realities of those who depended on public transport, and publicly said yesterday he would not defend their interests. He was also acting in a way so as to allow the fares to rise.

The government, the ministry said, would continue working to safeguard the interests of Malta and Maltese commuters.

In a statement, the Labour Party denied that a PL government would increase tariffs. It said it would only repair the mess GonziPN would have left behind.