Temperature tests in buses during the summer yielded readings of between 21.6 and 36.3 degrees celsius, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said.

The temperatures on the higher end of the readings were a result of faults.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Nationalist MP Toni Bezzina, the minister said Transport Malta was aware of a small number of cases where air conditioning systems on the buses were not reaching the desired level. 

As a result, an additional air conditioning system was added to the two systems already present on 23 hired route buses while insulation was improved. The costs were borne by the company from where the buses were hired.

He said that inspectors measured the temperature in the buses 152 times between July 13 and October 5. Some of the tests were routine and others were requested by Malta Transport. 

PENALTIES

Mr Mizzi said in reply to another question that between January 1 and July 27 this year Transport Malta fined Malta Public Transport €92,125 after inspections on the buses.

The inspections focused mostly on punctuality and reliability.