Bus drivers with an attitude problem will be retrained but no driver will lose his job when the new operator takes over, the Transport Minister has pledged.
Joe Mizzi said the public transport company, currently run by the State, had an open call for applications. “Anybody who wants to become a driver can apply,” he told an audience made up largely of sympathisers when asked whether Maltese drivers will be replaced by foreigners.
Spanish company Autobuses de Leon is expected to take over the bus service from January but the signing of the agreement was held up after a rival bidder filed judicial proceedings, claiming unfair treatment.
Mr Mizzi was yesterday participating in the post-Budget meetings organised by the individual ministries as part of the ‘Government that listens’ campaign.
Anybody who wants to become a driver can apply
“I am convinced that when the new operator takes over and the new routes are phased in, more people will shift from using their private car to public transport, leading to less traffic congestion,” he said.
Mr Mizzi defended the €23 million subsidy that will be given to the new company next year, saying that, on a per capita basis, Germany spent more in transport subsidies.
Mr Mizzi said he understood the frustration over traffic congestion but insisted the road infrastructure had already not been adequate several years ago let alone today. “The investment in road infrastructure costs money and we constantly have to keep in mind the resources at hand,” he cautioned.
Transport Malta took short-term measures to solve certain bottlenecks and bus lanes in Sliema, Msida, Marsa and Floriana would ease congestion over the medium term, he added.
The longer-term projects, he said, included major road works such as the Kappara and Marsa junctions. Mr Mizzi said work on the Kappara Junction would start when the Coast Road works ended next year in order to avoid additional congestion because of closed roads and diversions.
He apologised for the congestion created as a result of drainage works in Lija but insisted the project had long been needed.