July 1: The Transport Federation threatens to paralyse public transport if Transport Minister Austin Gatt fails to withdraw his proposal to Cabinet to "liberalise" the market for hearses, taxis, tourist coaches and other sectors of public transport. The ministry later denies making this proposal in Cabinet.
July 7: The Transport Ministry issues statement saying Cabinet approved a decision to liberalise the hearse industry.
July 11: The Malta Hearses Association asks the court to stop the Malta Transport Authority from issuing new permits for hearses. The Transport Federation gives the government until June 14 morning to withdraw permits for the operation of new hearses or else face a strike "that will paralyse the transport system". Ministry says its decision to issue new permits for hearses is final and calls off a planned meeting with the federation, adding it would not agree to meet until the threat was lifted.
July 12: The Transport Federation makes a fresh call for talks saying it is ready to call off any industrial action should the government refrain from issuing further permits. The Hearses Association says it would definitely go on strike unless the Transport Ministry agreed to a meeting before 6 a.m. on July 14.
July 13: Neither side budges and the country braces itself for a transport strike.
July 14: Buses, red mini-buses, white taxis and hearses carcade down arterial roads clogging traffic. St Anne's Street in Floriana, leading into Valletta, is completely blocked by mini-vans until late at night.
Striking drivers scuffle with police as they try to charge into the Office of the Prime Minister at Auberge de Castille in Valletta. The Transport Authority terminates the contract of Coop Services Ltd, which had been responsible for the provision of the Park and Ride transport service, after it takes part in the strike. ADT informs the Public Transport Association that, for the duration of the strike, it is halting the daily €60,000 subsidy.
A number of private mini-buses and coaches carrying tourists are attacked. Nobody is injured.
The government announces it will provide an emergency bus service and chauffeur-driven cars. The Unscheduled Bus Service, not a federation member, announces it will not operate as it feels threatened by striking drivers.
Many transport workers spend the night at St James Ditch, near the Valletta bus terminus, some of them holding a barbeque. Other workers cause a disturbance outside Dr Gatt's Valletta home.
July 15: The emergency bus service and the new Park and Ride service is suspended after violent incidents involving the vehicles providing the service. A double-decker tourist bus is ambushed by striking drivers who intimidate sightseers and force them off the vehicle.
Cruise liner passengers trudge all the way up to Valletta in the heat as taxi drivers look on.
Mini-bus drivers block all but one lane in St Anne Street, Floriana and also block Sarria Street.
Four transport workers are charged in connection with incidents. All four are refused bail and remanded in custody.
Funerals are postponed and the number of bodies at the Mater Dei mortuary reaches 24.
A Net TV cameraman is punched in the face by striking drivers.
July 16: Buses, mini-buses, hearses and taxis leave St Anne Street after occupying most of the lanes for almost two days. They carcade in Sliema, St Julian's and Msida and occasionally block the roads while sounding their horns.
A coach driver is forced out of his vehicle and beaten near Żebbuġ as he transports English language students. His keys are stolen and the coach is left in the middle of the road. The police make eight arrests.
Some white taxis are reported to be picking up passengers in various parts of Malta, suggesting division among the taxi drivers.
At least 16 passengers miss their flights and arriving passengers are forced to walk with their luggage some distance as striking drivers block the road leading to the airport. Scuffles are reported close to the Addolorata Cemetery.
The Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents files a judicial protest against the Transport Federation and holds it responsible for damages.
The ferry service between Valletta and Sliema is suspended following threats to the crews. A second ferry is introduced between Valletta and Sliema but is interrupted shortly afterwards when a group of around 50 transport workers boarded it.
Late at night, the hearse owners surprisingly pull out of the strike action.
July 17: Several tourism-related organisations and 12 construction companies file a judicial protest holding the participants in the strike responsible for damages. Another five mini-bus drivers are charged.
The transport strike is lifted, with the Transport Federation agreeing that liberalisation should follow discussion and consultation.