Transport Minister Austin Gatt this afternoon launched a document proposing a root and branch reform of public transport. He told a press conference that the government had set a target date of 2015 for a complete system, including, if possible, a tram service, which truly served the people and which led the people to prefer public transport to their cars.
He said a major reform of the bus service had to be completed by 2010 at the latest - in view of EU rules, and reform in the area of mini buses and taxis had to be completed earlier.
Dr Gatt said public transport should include as many forms of transport as possible, including buses, taxis, ferries and trams. Malta needed to have a new, energy efficient fleet of buses of different sizes as appropriate for the different localities, a new route network, new management for the bus service, and full utilisation of the buses every day.
Rapid services needed to be introduced to major destinations, such as Mater Dei, but in general services needed to be more frequent and operated over 24 hours. There should also be links between the various towns and villages and services to the Park and Ride at Blata l-Bajda and similar parking areas.
A new ticketing system needed to be introduced, with incentives for frequent users. The bus drivers needed to become employees who would work an acceptable number of hours. It was dangerous that some drivers currently worked as much as 16 hours at a stretch.
Dr Gatt said there also needed to be changes in the relationship between the ADT as the regulator and the Public Transport Association (ATP), which, despite being the operator, acted like a trade union.
While acknowledging that some form of state funding would be necessary for the social aspect of public transport, the minister said the current system where the bus owners had a guaranteed income whatever the level of usage had to stop – not least because since this system as introduced in 1995, the number of patrons had fallen.
Dr Gatt said the ADT was working on proposals for a new bus network and they would be presented to the ATP for discussion shortly.
Studies were also under way on the type of buses (and mini vans) whih would be needed for the bus service and the recurrent expenses which could be expected from a modern and efficient bus service. All these issues would be discussed with the bus owners, along with the future management of public transport in line with EU directives.
Separately, Dr Gatt said detailed studies were under way for the introduction of water taxis this summer and initial studies had been launched on the possible introduction of two tram lines – from Valletta to Birkirkara and Rabat and from Valletta to Sliema. Economic viability still has to be proved. Should it be viable, the aim was to introduce a tram service by 2015.
“Our purpose is to have an efficient public transport system that is environmentally friendly, financially sustainable, integrated, modern, and tailored to the people’s needs,” Dr Gatt said.
The minister said last week's public transport strike had helped the reform process because the people had shown that they wanted change.
The document can be found at: www.mitc.gov.mt