News • 13 July 2003

Authority chief insists that public transport association must fall in line

The Public Transport Association is facing tough times with public opinion directed against it and the Chairman of the Transport Authority, Charles Demicoli, insisting the commuter comes first.

Talking on TV programme ‘Reporter’ which will be screened on PBS tomorrow at 7.45pm, Mr Demicoli did not mince his words.

"Mr Victor Spiteri of the Association repeats the demand that it wants an increase in subsidy to improve the public transport service. But this has never been forthcoming. The facts show that since 1998, the number of commuters using public transport has decreased by one million a year and the service has deteriorated.

"Bus times are never kept and some routes are abandoned without warning or announcement."

This shocking statistic leads Demicoli to add that the number of buses needed to run the service should not be far less than the number the association is demanding.

Transport Authority Chairman Charles Demicoli is adamant that the Association should improve its service: "We are the authority and we have an obligation to look at the needs of the commuter. If we have to create a route to cater for three commuters then so be it.

"The Association does not want the ticketing machines because they do not use security paper. For heaven’s sake, who is going to forge paper to defraud someone of 10 cents. All bus owners have been told to start using the bus ticketing machines from tomorrow."

The controversy comes at a time when the perception of bus drivers is very bad indeed. Many drivers are best remembered not for their courteous behaviour, but rather for their abrasive and ill-mannered treatment to passengers and most especially to tourists. Many drivers have been convicted for assaulting commuters, yet somehow the Association still defends them.

The standoff between the Association and Authority also focuses on the 1.2 million subsidy for a number of vehicles the Association members are purchasing.

Mr Demicoli explains that the Association wishes a further subsidy for other vehicles, but he emphasises that first things, first.

"We are saying that we must go through the first subsidy phase."

Demicoli adds that the routing for public transport cannot be manned solely by the extra large buses. "There is a need for smaller buses to service many of the narrow historic cores in Malta and Gozo."

Asked about the 1995 agreement between the Association and the government, he retorts.

"I was appointed chairman of the authority to deliver, 1995 was eight years ago and since that time the service has not improved and the commuters have declined dramatically. We have to look at the realities as they stand today."

Meanwhile, late yesterday it was announced that the Association has suspended all industrial action after a number of meetings held throughout the day produced a basis for agreement.

In a short statement, Association President Victor Spiteri said that as from tomorrow the association was going to have talks with Transport Minister Censu Galea and the Transport Authority with the aim of ironing out the differences.

Charles Demicoli is interviewed by Saviour Balzan on Reporter tomorrow on PBS at 7.45pm