The GRTU has said that the Gozo Bus Owners Associations is upset at the way its members are being continuously driven out of business by an unfair and unlevel playing field. After having stood up to over two years of negotations with Government in respect to liberalisation, and after finally coming to an agreement, it now transpires that unfair competition is currently occurring in Gozo in their regard, with the blessing of the Authorities concerned.

“An operator currently in laison with a Maltese enterpreneur has four open top buses in Gozo and we are well informed that not only is he operating hop on hop off trips but also effecting day tours with the same buses.”

The GRTU went on to say that ADT officials were earlier this week in Gozo to discuss a number of issues with different operators in the transport sector in Gozo. As usual the Minister involved feels that GRTU, as official representatives of the Gozo Bus Owners Association, does not need to be informed of such meetings. Undoubtedly one wonders where one gets to with such tactics….maybe some Ministers have different agendas for different people and different Associations.

However, the GRTU, Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, is blessed with the heavenly fact that both Gozo and Malta are really small and even a whimper is heard all over the place. The GRTU said, “that it wants to make it absolutely clear to the Authorities concerned that the transport sector in Gozo is one of a kind for each and everyone. What is good for the goose is good for the …”

“Our members are on the continuous lookout for infringments to the norm…we have heard that these open top buses will shortly be able to collect passengers from the current bus stops available in Gozo. Unless the ADT or Transport Malta want a war or really want to mess up the summer months for many visitors and Maltese alike, then we would ask them to treat each and every one on the same basis.”

They said that ‘Supreme’ has its own explanation in my dictionary…and we asume that this is not taken for granted in an island where it seems that might is right. If over the days to come the GRTU and GBOA see that someone ‘Supreme’ is trying to take over a sector in Gozo, then it will be time to communicate in a different language.

The GRTU concluded by saying that until now our language has been always to sit down and discuss, today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow until we reach an agreement. However in life there are limits to limits. When one sees bread and butter being taken away in an unfair and unlevel playing field, and the Authorities and their officials just sit there and do nothing about it , then it would seem someone ‘Supreme’ has their blessing! We do hope its not the case…time will however tell…as the proof is in the pudding…Transport Malta…wake up before the situation gets worse.

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