A new mediator has launched fresh efforts to resolve the public transport dispute, Transport Minister Austin Gatt told a press conference this afternoon.

He said agreement had been close in another mediation effort yesterday but everything fell through following outside pressure on the Hearses Association.

He said he had been told that transport associations could not back out of the Transport Federation unless they paid a fine running into some €23,393.

Dr Gatt revealed that the service by barklori (oarsmen) across Grand Harbour has, like that at Marsamxett, been stopped following threats made to the boat owners and crews. Dr Gatt said the ferry crews had been warned that they would be sought out "one by one" while the barklori were told their boats would be targeted.

The minister said the only licensed hearse in Gozo had resumed services, and the owner of a horse drawn hearse had also indicated he would start conducting funerals.

The minister praised the police for their actions and said the deployment of the SAG today was a sign that patience was running out. No one would be allowed to spoil other people's holidays by blocking the way to the airport, he said. Similarly, St Anne Street in Floriana had now been opened and would remain that way.

Dr Gatt said taxis were noticeable by their absence in the protests on the streets. It looked like several taxi owners had parked their vehicles and were providing services by black taxis, he said.