The Ministry of Transport and the Infrastructure this evening welcomed the GWU’s agreement in principle with the reform of the bus service, but said the union was misinterpreting the fares structure.

The union in a statement this afternoon (see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100527/local/gwu-says-bus-service-reform-should-not-mean-new-burdens ) said that while it acknowledged the need for a better service, this should not mean a financial burden for users and the rights of workers in the sector should be respected.

The ministry said the new fares structure would reward those who used the buses most.

Those who bought a three-month bulk ticket would be saving two euro cents every day compared to current fares. Furthermore, while at present, one had to buy a ticket for every trip made, under the new system one could board as many buses as he wished with the same ticket.

Students who bought the same three-month ticket would save an average of three euro cents compared to current fares. Fares for elderly travellers would be as present.

The ministry pointed out that the Maltese currently spend more than European families on their travel because they use their private cars.

Under the new system, should a worker who normally uses his car to go to work, opt to take a bus before 8 a.m., his fare would be €1.40. But the ticket could be used all day long.

The highest fare for a day ticket would be €2.10, which could be used throughout the day.

The ministry said the GWU was wrong when it said that one-way tickets would no longer exist. Two-hour tickets would cost €0.65 for those who needed to travel to nearby villages and €1.30 for the other routes.