“It is clear that the public transport fiasco started as a result of Austin Gatt’s policy of reducing the public transport expenditure as much as possible. Consequently the service started on the wrong footing, with a lack of buses, long routes or less frequent buses as well as continuous changes in the routes that led the operator to refuse to invest in a more efficient and decent service,” the AD Party said in a statement today.

Ralph Cassar, AD Spokesperson for transport, energy and industry, said, “public transport is a public service which requires adequate state financing. The reasons are various: a good public transport system reduces traffic from the streets, gives back open spaces to the public, reduces air pollution and improves people’s quality of life.”

Cassar added, “we welcome the immediate introduction of equal tariffs for everyone. Apart from being just, this should make the service more efficient and quicker, avoiding the time wasted for the driver to try to establish which rate should be paid by whom.

“Our appeal to the Government is that in the call for expression of interest for a new public transport operator, it will emphasise the need for an expanded service in terms of time schedules during rush hours. It is just as important to maintain the high standards of the vehicles used – both in terms of emissions as well as accessibility. An effort should be made for additional vehicles to operate using electricity or natural gas.”

“Finally we urge the Government to identify sources of income, for example from polluting activities which should be used to sustain an efficient public transport service, to expand different forms of transport services, for example by sea, and to increase public spaces in our streets. This is the only way in which air quality, and consequently, people’s health can be improved,” Ralph Cassar concluded.

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