(Adds White Taxi Licensed Amalgamated's reaction)

The White Taxi Licensed Amalgamated said this evening it was confident that discussions on the reform of the taxi sector would continue and hoped no hasty decisions based on ideas which would not have been studies and would have a negative impact for all would be taken.

The association was reaction to a news conference given by Transport Minister Austin Gatt this mornign during which he said the sector's reform should lead to the destruction of a cartel that has been created due to controls on the number of taxis and restrictions on competition.

The minister was launching a discussion document on the reform.

The minister said that when compared to Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Dublin, Prague, Barcelona and Rome, Malta’s cheapest fare was surpassed only by Amsterdam’s. Malta’s taxi fare for a standard five kilometre route was the fourth highest.

And while on a proportionate level there should be 700 taxis in Malta, there were only 250.

Dr Gatt said that intensive discussions were held with the WTLA before the publication of the document and although there was no agreement on liberalisation, the two sides were on the same wavelength on many other issues.

The WTLA said this evening that although some of the proposals made by Dr Gatt this morning were its own, there were others which it did not really agree with.

It saidd that the minister's news conference was held because of his wish to liberalise the market. The association said it believed this idea developed without any impact study this would have on the local market.

As for the comparisons made with foreign cities, these were irrelevant in the local market and what should be made was a profound and serious analyses by competent persons.

Dr Gatt said this morning that among the major problems in Malta were that taxi drivers did not consider the Maltese as their clients, they had a bad reputation with the locals, their system did not protect the client, they gave the impression they only wanted to operate from termini, there was no access to the service away from termini and because of lack of competition, the service was expensive.

Dr Gatt said that the use of taxis and metres had to be technologically monitored. There had to be contact between the Public Transport Authority and taxi drivers, passengers should be given more information about their rights and they should be offered more security.

The minister said there should be strict criteria which determined who should own a taxi, the number of termini should increase including in non-touristic places and advertisements on taxis should start to be allowed.

There should be a code of conduct and information on the service should become more accessible.

The reform should bring about a revision of legislation and policies and liberalised access to the sector, allowing for electric cabs to operate everywhere.

Taxis should also be allowed to operate between Malta and Gozo and a maximum fee should be established allowing for discounts to introduce competition in pricing.

Comments and proposals may be sent to the Ministry at 168, Strait Street, Valletta or on its website www.mitc.gov.mt up to November 1.