Public transport operator Arriva will be fined for regular delays in bus schedules and long passenger waiting times as from Friday when Transport Malta steps up its regulatory role.
The transport watchdog will be able to issue fines to ensure Arriva abides by its contractual obligations. The timing and location of all buses would be monitored from a control centre at the authority’s Sa Maison offices through a computer programme that allowed real-time tracking, explained Transport Malta chief executive Stanley Portelli.
The system flags exceptions in the system, pointing out instances when a schedule is not followed. Staff at the centre will be able to replay the trajectory of a specific bus to look into complaints.
The date when Transport Malta will step up its regulatory function coincides with a vote in Parliament on an opposition motion of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt following the transport reform fiasco. Uncertainty still reigns over the outcome of the vote as Nationalist MP Franco Debono has declared he could abstain. The motion calls for Dr Gatt’s resignation.
If Dr Debono abstains, there could be a tie in the vote, throwing Dr Gatt’s political future into the hands of the Speaker who will have to give a casting vote.
Dr Portelli said the date was predetermined in the contract signed before Arriva took over the operation of the public transport system in July. The contract provided for a four-month grace period to allow Arriva to settle in.
The cut-off date will come two days before new routes come into force (on Sunday) following a review that took place after a barrage of complaints about the unsatisfactory routes.
Dr Portelli said that between July (when Arriva took over) and August, Transport Malta took on a supporting role to help Arriva address teething trouble.
In September, he said, the authority started the change to its regulatory role and began fining Arriva for failing to comply with general contractual obligations such as safety standards and non observance of Transport Malta regulations.
Dr Portelli said “a few thousand euros” worth of fines had been imposed but he could not give a precise figure.