Alternattiva Demokratika has said that it condemns all forms of intimidation and demands that the Public Transport Association (ATP) iron out their objections with the government around the discussion table.

“Blocking roads, banging on coaches, breaking windscreens, threatening drivers and swearing at other operators is absolutely unacceptable,” said Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Arnold Cassola.

“Whilst transport workers have every right to strike, the threatening behaviour of some transport workers is to be condemned without reservation. Violence and bullying do not pay and these actions will only backfire on whoever perpetrates them.”

“Reason must prevail over force, and reasonable solutions can only be reached around the negotiating table,” concluded Prof. Cassola.

AD spokesperson on Industry, Energy and Transport, Ralph Cassar, reiterated, “A reform of the transport sector is long overdue. As regards public transport in particular AD believes that anyone, under certain conditions such as the use of the latest clean technology, should be able to offer scheduled transport services in Malta and Gozo. The state should also provide a public transport service – like all cities and countries in the EU – since the aim of the state service should be to offer transportation options at prices affordable to all and to and from destinations which might not be commercially viable.”

“Given the price of fuel, the relatively large percentage of income spent on transport, the congestion on the roads and the lack of a modern holistic mass tansportation infrastucture we cannot afford to wait any longer. The state has a duty to ensure accessibility, reliability and affordability of public transport,” concluded Ralph Cassar.

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