I followed the debate on the opposition’s motion regarding the new public transport system. I will just comment on one of the arguments used by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

The very first argument she made was that the number of commuters who are using the new public transport service has increased tremendously. I knew that she would use this argument as soon as I heard her very first word. The reason for this tremendous increase is very easy to uncover.

Ask anyone who used to go to Gozo and use public transport instead of their own car. They will tell you that when boarding a bus in Gozo to go from Victoria to one of the villages, or vice versa, the driver rarely gave tickets. He would tell you to pay later when alighting from the bus. And when you paid the driver you did not get any ticket! I experienced this many times. The only time commuters were given tickets was when boarding the bus at Mġarr Harbour to Victoria and vice versa. Even on this route, there was one occasion when I was not given a ticket, both from Mġarr to Victoria and when returning to Mġarr Harbour from Victoria.

Even Austin Gatt is involved in this matter, if he had been informed about these goings-on in Gozo. Is it possible that the minister responsible for public transport was unaware of this blatant abuse being carried out day in day out for years and years in Gozo? It is another reason why he should call it a day and resign!