Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, said today that it is a responsible party which discusses issues on their merits. As the party had done on the introduction of the Arriva service, the party augurs that the new public transport operator offers an efficient service which encourages more people to use public transport for commuting.
Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson on transport, energy and infrastructure said, “it is crystal clear that the acute failure of the public transport system came about as a result of years of neglect, followed by a system with a reduced service of longer routes, a chronic shortage of buses and stingy financing of the system.”
He added, “some quick research of public transport systems in countries and cities for which such systems are key to improving citizens’ quality of life shows that good systems are heavily financed by public authorities. Those who hold the fight against air pollution and disease at heart, those who understand the link between a good system and a better quality of life, and those who understand what a modern public transport system in a modern country entails realise that substantial public funding is required and discuss possible sources of funding instead of engaging in the usual petty politics so common in Malta.”
Cassar pointed out that “as usual PL and PN avoid discussing the real issues and throw around half truths and childish arguments. The Minister’s game of giving information in bits and pieces is also not conducive to real dialogue.”
Ralph Cassar said that the reduction in prices for some tickets, such as the weekly ticket for children and senior citizens and the 3 month student ticket. The substantial increase in buses, which it seems will be Euro VI, is also necessary and positive.
Although the price of the two hour ticket will be reduced substantially, AD said that it would have preferred for the option of a day ticket to remain.
Cassar said, “the more choice of different types of tickets the better to encourage more people to use the system. With different types of tickets commuters can choose the tariff system most suited to their commuting patterns. Additionally, while the system of more expensive tickets if bought on board makes sense, this system will only be fair if it is accompanied by an extensive system of automatic ticketing machines, shops and public transport staff selling tickets all around Malta and Gozo.”
AD said it augurs that the promised improvement of the public transport system finally happens.
” For this to happen it must also be accompanied by Government policies which reduce traffic on our roads, measures to prioritise public transport on our roads and that Government abandons its shortsighted policy of road building and widening and of more parking in already congested and polluted localities,” AD concluded.