A total of 53 out of the 69 members took part in the 11-hour debate on the opposition motion calling for the resignation of Transport Minister Austin Gatt over the public transport reform. The three opposition MP representing Gozo – where the government claims the reform was a great success – did not take part in the debate.
Joseph Sammut opened the debate (see separate item) and was followed by Environment Minister George Pullicino who said the new buses had brought about a significant reduction in harmful emissions. If government was insensi-tive towards the needs of citizens it would not have carried out six changes in five months, he said.
Dr Michael Falzon (PL) said the government succeeded in creating a worse bus system out of an already bad one. It made no sense to state that six changes had been carried out because this conflicted with the thesis that the bus system was successful.
Philip Mifsud (PN) said that it was the duty of PN backbenchers to criticise their government when they felt the duty to do so. The Arriva bus system still needed changes, but other government reforms had been altogether successful.
Labour MP Carmelo Abela said there were indications next Monday’s changes in routes would result in a better service. It made no sense to have transport parliamentary committee at the eleventh hour.
Nationalist MP Karl Gouder said the public transport reform was radical and it was a mistake that expectations were raised before the system was put into place.
Chris Aguis (PL) said the government should have included a shuttle boat service between the Cottonera and Valletta.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said from the public transport in Gozo now worked from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. including Sundays and public holidays, serving all parts of the island. Patronage had increased by more than 400 per cent.
Luciano Busuttil (PL) said the reform had cost more than €120 million besides additional costs of further improvements. Transport Malta had changed the physiognomy of some roads without any consultation or environmental impact assessments including loss of parking spaces.
Beppe Fenech Adami (PN) said the opposition had always been against several reforms without making any alternative proposals. If the government had heeded the opposition Malta would still be a third-world country.
Leo Brincat (PL) said the environmental aims of the reform had gone completely wrong rendering it into a Faulty Towers saga. The government, especially Minister Gatt and his team, had initially blamed everybody except themselves but were now asking for forgiveness and hiding behind false resignations.
Robert Arrigo (PN) said it was true that the main problems were failure for buses to show up in time and lack of bus stops in some localities, with buses stopping only because drivers were courteous.
Silvio Parnis (PL) asked, “If the bus service was good, why didn’t members of the government use it instead of their own cars?”
Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said that commuters were guaranteed a service until 11 p.m. Problems were also being tackled and 36 buses would be added to the fleet.
Stefan Buontempo (PL) said commuters were not the “king” in the reform but the minister was “king carnival.” Malta’s arrogant government did not believe in dialogue.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech (PN) said had the government merely replaced the old buses, the service would have remained the same while it would have cost around €45 million. With the transport reform, there was more an element of control.
Owen Bonnici (PL) said that while the minister boasted that his party would serve 20 more years in government, he had later tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister, who had refused it. The reform had had an adverse effect on tourism.
Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea accused the opposition of being destructive. The government was not satisfied with the progress made in the service but was determined to make it work.
Chris Cardona (PL) said it did not make sense for the government to speak about the old public transport system as archaic: the PN had been in government since 1987 and had done nothing about it before.
Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli said the public transport had already succeeded in various aspects. The opposition’s call for Dr Gatt’s resignation was nothing but an attempt to rid itself of a minister who made it feel uncomfortable.
Gino Cauchi (PL) said however short, history had given the lie to Dr Gatt’s promises. It might help for Transport Malta and ministry officials to join the commuters to truly understand their problems.
Marie Louise Coleiro (PL) said the government should have taken the people’s advice if it wanted to avoid this no confidence motion. The reform was only beneficial to the consultants. Arriva personnel in Valletta and Floriana did not even have toilet facilities. Maltese drivers who worked late at night had to go home on foot while the foreign drivers were provided with transport by Arriva.
Charló Bonnici (PN) accused the opposition of populist attitudes. This was the tenth motion against Minister Gatt since 1998, four of them calling for his resignation.
Anglu Farrugia (PL) said that the motion showed the failure of the government. The reform led to a substantial increase in fares and thousands of complaints. The government had given the Park and Ride grounds to Arriva which imposed tariffs.
Health Minister Joe Cassar said the opposition was trying to embarrass the government on some-thing the government tried to do right. The reform was subsequent to a period of consultation yet no MPs expressed their views. Noel Farrugia (PL) said that the opposition moved the motion because it heeded people’s concerns. The reform was not made for the consultants but for those to use the service.
Jean Pierre Farrugia (PN) said that auto criticism was important however, this should never impede party discipline.
Charles Buhagiar (PL) said that public transport needed to improve. Congestion of traffic meant more emissions and thus more risks to health.
Joe Falzon (PN) said that the opposition’s motion lacked proposals to impove the public transport system and it thus it was evident that the opposition was only engaged in a direct attack against the minister.
Anthony Agius Decelis (PL) said that the elderly and young people were adversely affected with the public transport reform. Public transport had an important role especially where several people lived below or just above the poverty line.
Edwin Vassallo (PN) said the reform was a political asset for the government and must be continued.
Josè Herrera (PL) said Parliament was no rubber stamp of the executive who could ride roughshod on the strength of a one-seat majority. Government back-benchers today were more mature and outspoken than one had been used to, and this had strengthened the sovereignty and authority of Parliament.
Stephen Spiteri (PN) said any reform brought changes that inevitably led to complaints, but the government had proved its worth in facing challenges.
Michael Farrugia (PL) said that the reform had driven commuters crazy. It had cost the people €55 million to remove the old buses and enhance the road infrastructure, €6 million originally in subsidies to Arriva and an unknown further quantity for changes in the network – at a time when the government repeatedly boasted of removing subsidies.
Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono said that Arriva offered a service which was much more frequent and consistent
Labour MP Joe Debono Grech said the new bus system was perfect for those who wanted to enjoy a ride around Malta. The government had consulted people who were incapable.
Michael Gonzi (PN) said there was no doubt Minister Gatt was capable of managing the reform to make it as efficient as possible. The new bus route changes, which would be introduced next Sunday, would make the reform much better.
Roderick Galdes (PL) said failure called for accountability and someone needed to take responsibility, mistakes were done by the persons who were in charge of planning and managing the routes. The government was living a dream when it asked people to be positive.
Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said the previous bus system was not sustainable and therefore a drastic change was needed.
Although the transport system still had deficiencies he said he had full confidence in Minister Gatt.
Labour MP Gavin Gulia said the reform had failed, at least when it came to routes and this can be seen from the changes being made. The system was introduced in summer and it was the worst advert possible for the tourism industry.
Frederick Azzopardi (PN), said besides improving the service, the reform was also intended to improve air quality.
Charles Mangion (PL), said that the government was given bad advice and should see that the monies are refunded.
Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech said that after the 11-hour debate the people would be none the wiser of Labour’s policy on public transport. Its only purpose in life was to oppose, rather than to contribute.
Labour MP Helena Dalli said it was no excuse for Arriva to claim it had not known about traffic congestion in Malta. How low could one sink?
Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi said waiting times were decreasing and more buses were in the service. The government’s programme was too ambitious but it was saving €4 million per year with the new system.
Dr George Vella (PL) said the PN’s counter motion acknowledged the Minister’s offer of resignation which was declined by the Prime Minister.
Censu Galea (PN) said that it would not be fair for the minister to resign. Changes to be affected from Sunday were aimed at satisfying commuters’ needs in every locality.
Anthony Zammit (PL) said the government had taken the people for a ride, especially those having to go to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.
Joe Mizzi, PL, said the Cabinet was dishonest and disloyal. Labour’s motion reflected what the people were feeling, which is that the minister should resign.