Communications Minister Austin Gatt this morning launched a consultation document aimed at the liberalisation of unscheduled public transport. The document focuses on services such as those offered by chauffeur-driven cars (black taxis), red and white vans, ‘trackless trains’, coaches and tour buses, and electric cabs.

Speaking at a press conference Dr Gatt said that while there was competition in some sectors of unscheduled public transport, such as self-drive cars, other sectors, such as red vans, had to date been closed off from competition. Furthermore, in areas such as that of coaches, there were problems regarding the number of coaches, efficiency and quality.

He said it was important that operators had access to all forms of public transport.

The document, he said, includes proposals for the de-regulation of electric cabs and open tour buses, the introduction of zones for the operation of taxis, and the prohibition of route buses from unscheduled work. The document includes proposals for the safe carriage of schoolchildren.

The document is available on www.mitc.gov.mt and suggestions will be received throughout November.