Ministry responded to complaints, took action on public transport - Austin Gatt

Transport Minister Austin Gatt has rebutted accusations by Labour over public transport reform, saying the PL made no contribution to the consultation process in the past two years.

“Labour never mentioned its opposition to the routes that have been public information ever since 2008, but politically exploited the difficulties of the service and rode over public reaction to the change in the routes,” Gatt said.

The Opposition’s spokesman for transport Joseph Sammut said the government should be held responsible for the failing public transport system which he said is not serving the Maltese population. “It is surprising that the government has only recently made half an admission of failure, when up until Friday, the government had continuously claimed that everything had been successful,” Sammut said.

“Gatt and his political appointees have to bear responsibility and resign. Instead of admitting their incompetence and apologising to the public, Gatt has continued as though nothing happened.”

He added that government needs to state whether the €400,000 spent for “failed” route consultation will be reclaimed and whether Maltese and Gozitan taxpayers should expect to be charged more as a result of the government’s “lack of planning”.

Routes for the reformed public transport service operated by Arriva Malta were changed as early as 22 July.

Gatt said the ministry acknowledged the shortcomings of the service but noted that patronage had increased by 20%. “This is an indication that the reform has attracted new clients on public transport.”

Gatt added that new passengers were mainly noted making use of the new regular service in Gozo, touristic and airport routes, night buses, an increase in the more regular routes, connections to small towns that were previously underserved, new direct connections between towns, and circular routes inside the towns.

“Labour never criticised these routes… of the average daily 60,000 passengers those who complained were a small number who deserved to have their complaints addressed.

“Labour must decide whether to accuse government of ‘arrogance’ for not listening to the complaints, or of ‘incompetence’ for tending to these complaints.”

Gatt said the government would not be taking legal action against the technical consultants that advised on the decentralisation of public transport system.  “The fact that, in certain aspects, the public transport change was not popular does not render the technical advice given any less valid.

“We have no difficulty in taking responsibility for a decision to retain what was positively welcomed in the new network, and reintroduce direct connections from Valletta and Mater Dei Hospital to the towns.”