Thursday, 15th May 2008 - 17:15CET

Updated: Bus owners declare dispute over emission tests

The Public Transport Association, which represents bus owners, has ordered bus drivers not to take their buses for any tests requested by the Transport Authority other than the VRT.

The directive was issued following a dispute over the way emission tests are conducted. The association is insisting that the authority has to give it evidence that the testers are qualified to conduct the tests.

Earlier a spokesman for the transport ministry said the association has declared an industrial dispute and threatened a stoppage over the way the tests are being carried out .

The spokesman said the bus drivers were insisting that whenever the tests were conducted, it should be the drivers at the controls.

The regulations lay down that the tests have to be carried out only by the qualified testers.

The spokesman said the testing procedure had to be followed and he could not understand how the association had adopted this stand.

The spokesman said that over the past 12 weeks, a total of 108 complaints had been received on just one bus and the driver was objecting to the emission test.

Between January and March 98 tests on buses were carried out and 58 buses failed. Owners were fined €46 each time and ordered to rectify the situation.

Comments

Carm Ellul (on 17/5/08)

Messrs ADT , the root cause of this problem is the type of engine and fuel used by all PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
This also includes the tourist coaches besides construction vehicles.
The ONLY solution is to change the fuel type and convert the public transport engines to CNG or LPG.
Its cheaper to run and cleaner for the envireonment and EVERYBODY WINS.
Conversion can be made by autorised competent companies, unless the government organises the conversion with some well known international company that is specialist in this work.
Dr. Gatt did the same within the IT sector , why not in the PT sector.

Ing. Carm Ellul.

censu pace (on 17/5/08)

For goodness sake ADT, get off your backside. YOU HAVE THE PUBLIC ALL ON YOUR SIDE. Come on Minister Austin get your whip out. You are responsible for ADT and they are doing nothing. These cowboys are killing our loved ones, and they are making a laughing stock out of you. They are even threatening your inspectors in front of the passengers.
The time is now.

R.Gauci (on 17/5/08)

There is a need of a huge change in the Public Transport Sector in Malta. This dispute is just one of other many things which are not up to EU standards.Do you know how much a driver should work as to EU regulations? Not more than 8 hours a day and he has to stop for at least 30 mins break after a 4 hours shift. Go and check how much most of the drivers in all sectors in Malta not just the public bus transport works. I am sure at least not less than 12 hours a day in Malta hot climate!(That apologizes a bit by itself for some drivers attitude)There's a huge breaking of EU regulations in this sector and if we have a serious authority (which I really doubt about cause there are only jobs for the boys there!) I can see the difference between working abroad and in Malta that's why I am writing! They should regularise every issue not only the emission tests! Another clear example is how the issue of seat belts in Mini buses is being tackled as correctly noted by the editor of this newspaper today. ADT is time up for professionals!!

Phil Pryce (on 16/5/08)

At first sight I was incensed by the attitude of the bus drivers. We have all had to tolerate belching smoke from their vehicles. But it is not just the buses. Many diesel powerd cars produce large amounts of smoke that I have not witnessed in other countries. Could it be that M. Borg has a point in that the quality of diesel fuel available in Malta is substandard? If it is, and there would need to be some stringent testing to verify this against European standards, then the government would need to rectify the situation, and then carry out the testing of ALL diesel powered vehicles. On M. Borg's point about the high revs used for the test, this is, as far as I know, standard practice in EU countries. If the diesel fuel used in Malta meets the EU spec, and vehicles still fail the emissions test, then they should be repaired, re-engined or removed from the road, then we can all breathe some fresh air... apart from all the building dust that is!!

Albert Gauci Cunningham (on 16/5/08)

Monopolies are a natural habitat for inefficiency, lethargy and waste, the transport sector has to be liberalised and that would get these people in their senses!!!! We did it with Mobiles and succeeded and we will do it with Public transport and we'll succeed.....it only takes some guts ( of which Austin has had a-lot up to now) Today I had the dishonour of travelling on an old bus belching smoke which made me nearly want to puke half way through the journey....its just plain disgraceful............the ironic part of it is that at a point I decided to have a look at "the Economist" mag from last Wed The Times and the first few pages were all dedicated to Climate Change!!!!!!!!!And can anyone tell me why in Bugibba, a locality with more than 11,000 residents, buses stop at 21:30pm??? Joke of the century------".........b'tal-linja jaqbillek..........."

M Borg (on 16/5/08)

Its true that these people think that they can do what they please! And they can, since unfortunately Public Transport is a MONOPOLY!!

I agree with one point they raised but: when doing the emission test, it is the driver that should be in control of HIS vechile, and not the ADT Personnel.

What is happening in such tests is that, the TESTERS put the vechile on full throttle. More than 90% of Diesel driven vechiles more than 2 years old tend to "smoke" when under full throttle.

To add to this the quality of Diese we are getting is INFERIOR to what other EU Countries have. This can be simply confirmed: take your Diesel driven vechile to an overland trip in mainland Europe, and after the first few hundreds of Km (or Miles), when you have filled up your Vechile by "THEIR" Diesel and the engine has settled down, the "SMOKE" which is normal to see when in Malta vanishes!!

Another fact is that shall we drive our vechiles with "gas down" on our roads, firstly we will get caught on every SPEED CAMERA on our roads, and secondly the rate of road accidents (which is quite high in Malta) would have been doubled or tripled.

ADT AND DR. GATT ............. PLEASE TAKE NOTE

L Galea (on 16/5/08)

The arrogance of the bus owners knows no limits.

The responsible authorities should stop all buses which fail a real test.

Why should all private vehicles owners pay for and have to pass a VRT test anf the public transport buses do not?

Private cars carry at most 5 passengers.

Public transport buses carry between 36 to more than 50 passengers.

An accident with a private vehicle may potentially involve 5 persons while an accident with a public transport bus may involve a much larger number.

So why should not public transport buses be regularly examined and have to pass a VRT?

HENRY GALEA SOUCHET (on 16/5/08)

Absolutely no reason to tolerate this attitude of bus owners and drivers any longer. I exhort the Minister responsible and Goverment to exercise TOLERANCE ZERO in dealing with these cowboys. Just tow the buses to Ta' Qali and suspend their operation licences. Any bus involved, will automatically become utilizable for scrap metal, after a strict verification of chassis and engine numbers. No monkey business from anyone when the health of the comunity is involved.

Alex (on 16/5/08)

It is really impressive to see all the comments made here on such a small article. This is because people are relly disgusted (figuratively by the arrogance and physically by the fumes) of the current bus emission situation. As a driver and owner of an old car (of about 12 years) who has to take the car to regular services so as to avoid burning unnecessary fuel and polluting the air I feel completely helpless after inhaling something like a half kilo of carbon emission driving behing the yellow big one. This is unacceptable. ADT please help. Remember that YOU ARE BEING PAID OUT OF OUR TAXES (direct, indirect and licences). SHAME ON ALL OF YOU TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE THIRD CENTURY. Yours faithfully; Taxpayer

Joe Galea (on 16/5/08)

Driving behind a bus means you are increasing your chances of getting lung cancer!!

Our public transport system is comparable to 3rd world countries.
To become a bus driver one should undergo a course in ethics, manners and customer service. otherwise we will keep being faced by arrogant, insolent, rude and unsocial drivers unworthy of occupying such a vital job offering such a vital service to our society.

Do buses undergo VRT tests? If yes, why do the majority of them emit fumes as much as an incinerator? If No, what are the authorities waiting for?

Joe Cordina (on 16/5/08)

Who do these people think they are?!!! Hands up for the powers that be to rid us of the danger and arrogance eminating from these cowboys

Joseph Caruana (on 16/5/08)

What do the students, that come to Malta remember?
The Yellow Maltese Bus.
that buggles its way through the bumby roads.
Now that's Brand Malta.

They give a bad impression* on Malta in terms of everything.
*speaking on most bus drivers/ buses

Kevin Zammit (on 16/5/08)

First time I see every single comment in agreement.

These people are bullies. They still think that if Mintoff did not stop them then, nobody will.

I don't recall exactly what happened with that but I remember the pandemium. We should be organising for a longer stand this time around and for as long as it takes.

And to think that their buses were subsidised with our tax money!!!!

I mean come on fellas' one has to be a complete idiot to pass most of these busses leave alone ability to conduct a test!

M Grech (on 16/5/08)

Did it have to take 108 complaints (on one bus, imagine on the rest of the fleet) and 12 weeks to kick the Transport Authority into action?

Isn't the VRT (which seems acceptable to the Public Transport Association) also meant to measure the level of emissions?

Are VRTs credible?

This time, at least, there's Dr Gatt in charge.

Louis Grech (on 16/5/08)

It seems that that is a clear national (truly popular) consensus and time is long overdue to take a rough stand in front of this acute national problem. The majority of the drivers are rude and some are not even compatible to live in a society moreover driving a bus with people! Some of the karrakka buses seem like pigsties and no wonder people do not want to use them. This sector is a complete dangerous failure and is not even compatible with African standards. SHAME!!!!

J. Agius (on 16/5/08)

When are going to call the bus owners bluff, Messrs. ADT? and/or Ministry responsable for Transport?

A Bonnici (on 16/5/08)

I think its time as others said to open the market of transport in Malta. It would definitely lead to better and efficient public transport in this country...thus having also to be accountable to environmental issues by law. We cannot generalise what is happening to all bus owners, but I must say that a good number of them do not care less about this situation

Raymond Sammut (on 16/5/08)

A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health has now established through a scientific study that fumes from vehicles make our blood sticky, thus greatly increasing the chance of blood clotting and stroke. Malta's buses, and other heavy vehicles, have been a major public hazard. It is necessary that such vehicles be treated with greater urgency than other vehicles. A test can be carried out objectively only in the absence of owner/driver and where the tester is a technical person who does not have any irrelevant details on the vehicle. This should be the norm and proper procedure. There can be no dispute on this issue.

Adrian Cachia (on 16/5/08)

After reading this I cannot stop laughing....better cry of course!!!

The photo chosen by The Times says it all.....and well I guess it is the driver at the control!!

For such a small island we really have a SAD transport system!!

When will this sector be privatised or open!!!

C. Micallef (on 16/5/08)

Malcolm, that seems like a pretty decent idea. Maybe we can have a bus service that is actually punctual, where drivers actually treat their customers with respect, where racism is fought effectively, and where buses are safe, comfortable and environmentally-friendly.

Hunters, amateur firework enthusiasts, bus drivers..... Malta cannot and should not tolerate immature, unsafe and irresponsible behaviour from such people anymore. We have to learn to behave in ways which do not disturb, harm or cause a nuisance to our neighbours.

E. Azzopardi (on 16/5/08)

What a cheek!! Haven't they done and continue to do enough harm to the citizens health?
Do you have to be a qualified instructor to realize that many of them are not even fit to be in a museum? I thought that the VRT test includes an emission test. At least that is what they do to my car. And why do they not stop where they should and let the traffic pass after spending all that money for the side bays? Need we go on. I do not want to generalize. There are a few of them who come clean so why cannot the others do the same? We did not built Mater Dei so that people get sick and then they go there. First we should prevent as many people as we can NOT to go there. And this is exactly where we have to start from. Let's get on with it and we'll be saving so much money on health.

Vincent Antony Pace (on 16/5/08)

What's the bet that this is one sector Austin Gatt will not be able to cross swords with.
The bus drivers continue to poison us, and we send them a sweet letter asking them to co-operate ! Emissions cause cancer, and that's a fact.
u halluna.

Mike O'Hara (on 15/5/08)

Will this change in testing apply also to trucks and vans, as in my view these are even more guilty of poor emissions than the older buses.

On my most recent visit in March, it was surprising to see some of the new Chinese buses belching out visible fumes.

James Mizzi (on 15/5/08)

Breathing the buses's deadly emissions is not enough? Do we have to tolerate this arrogant behaviour as well. Enough is enough!

A Zammit (on 15/5/08)

Anyone who's ever happened behind a bus would tell you THERE'S NO NEED FOR ANY TEST! get those smoke-belching monsters off our road or get them in line. Can we still permit these cowboys to do whatever they like? they ave to obey the law just like all of us other common mortals. Dr Gatt, please hit hard

godfrey pisani (on 15/5/08)

i just can not understsand how bus owners can declare a dispute of this manner , it is unbelievable how some people can be above the law when we all have our problems to keep up standards . sorry but if you want to earn money like all us other self empolyed ,invest
or give up guys . welcome to our playing field .

Suzanne Buttigieg (on 15/5/08)

Go on. Do the strike. A breath of fresh air is on the way at last!

Joseph Caruana (on 15/5/08)

Part of it is the usual problem: a small fine to pay is cheaper than the solution, just as the firework abuse.

Joseph Sammut (on 15/5/08)

Once riding on maltese buses use to be a good laugh,Its time to get rid of most of these wrecks,it`s not Funny any more

Joe Buttigieg (on 15/5/08)

"the driver at the controls while the tests are carried out"?? I've heard this one hundred times for the last twenty-thirty years. They have been able to hoodwink people testing a bus for lack of proper lights, inefficient apparatus to signal to the driver to stop at the next bus stop, broken window panes, threadebare tyres and yes, suffocating fumes coming out from the rear end of a bus. Only the other day, a group of tourists cheered loudly when the bus we were on managed to make it to the top of Selmun hill!!.

Malcolm Seychell (on 15/5/08)

Open the market for transport. Stop giving financial help until they come in line with law.

victor (on 15/5/08)

Any one who has had the misfortune to be driving behind these carcenogenic machines knows only too well that some buses are not roadworthy. furthermore, most of them could do with a hose down every once in a while. Our buses are definately not up to EU standards and most of them would end up on a scrap heap had they been operating on the mainland.

Leah Gatt (on 15/5/08)

1. "The spokesman said that over the past 12 weeks, a total of 108 complaints had been received on just one bus and the driver was objecting to the emission test" 180 complaints?!? and it STILL hasn't been taken in. im speechless. 2. "Owners were fined €46 each time and ordered to rectify the situation" a 46 euro fine is NOT a deterrent. the bus should be taken off the road and after it has been fixed must pass the VRT again before being back on the road. have i misunderstood or is this not being done? I'm sick of inhaling exhaust fumes everywhere I go.

Johann Mifsud (on 15/5/08)

Does this mean that bus owners do whatever they want? This is a known secret that a good percentage of the buses are not good for our streets. Can please someone explain how a 40-year-old bus is still on our streets, can anyone explain how the ADT accepts 2nd hand buses on our roads.

JOHN SCERRI (on 15/5/08)

Major components of diesel exhaust include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and tiny soot particles that carry substances called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
Diesel emissions are estimated to be responsible for 70 percent of the cancer risk arising from air pollution, according to the California Air Resources Board. Dangers from diesel exhaust can range from respiratory illnesses including asthma and bronchitis to lung cancer and heart disease.
Children are more vulnerable to the effects of diesel exhaust than are adults because they breathe more quickly and take more air into their developing lungs.

Better safe than sorry !!

Joseph Caruana (on 15/5/08)

bring on a new mass transport system, these guys think they own the streets. poor kids with asthma.

Patrick Sciberras (on 15/5/08)

I think that after the Hunting Federation its time for the PTA to be cut down to size.

Paul Barrett (on 15/5/08)

Any vehicle which fails these tests should be taken OFF the road until it can pass the test. This includes ALL vehicles, they should only be allowed then to make one BOOKED journey to a garage for repair and re-testing under the VRT system and not allowed back on the road until they can pass. Vehicle owners/drivers are working the odds that it is cheaper to keep on driving and giving off dangerous fumes, be EVENTUALLY tested, given a small fine and then continue driving.

J. Bonnici (on 15/5/08)

While on the subject of emissions by buses and trucks, who was the wise guy who had the brain wave to have heavy vehicles exhaust pipes emit the black clouds on the driver's side towards the back of the vehicle instead of at the back? This week a heavy vehicle was driving towards me in a street wide enough to allow two vehicles to pass. As the truck driver happened to change gears while I reached the end of his truck, a heavy black cloud emerged from the exhaust pipe right into the open window of my car. I was nearly suffocated and had to stop for the air inside my car to clear before proceeding on my way. This is very dangerous not only health wise but also I could have caused an accident engulfed in the black cloud.

Franco Farrugia (on 15/5/08)

On the contrary, I feel it is the citizens and the clients who should declare a dispute with the bus drivers.
But what kind of country do these people think we're living in? To decide for themselves how tests should be carried out? With what divine right? They think that they can hijack the country, and make us all think that life will stop without their work?
I sincerely hope that this will not turn out to be yet another example of being weak with the 'strong'.

Joseph E Briffa (on 15/5/08)

I sincerely hope that the authorities keep firm and not give in to any threats by the PTA. A lot of buses should be removed from servfce altogether; they should NOT be allowed to carry on polluting everywhere. The owners of these buses are to blame: besides a fine of €46 is ridiculous. It should be at least €500 to act as a deterrent and the bus should not be allowed on the road until such time as the situation is remedied. In the meantime they should be made to pay a fine of say €100 per diem. It's about time that such irresponsible bus owners are taught a lesson; they have been having their way for far too long

D Fenech (on 15/5/08)

Disgusting! How much longer do we honest law abiding citizens have to suffer these emissions ,which are killing us all! Sometimes I find myself driving behind a thick black cloud!

Angelo Vassallo (on 15/5/08)

The following is the text of an SMS sent to 50611899 earlier this week regarding CO2 emissions by buses on our roads.

"Do you really need citizens like me to report the buses which are
emitting Carbon Dioxide on our roads?

It is a case of being weak with the strong."

Lawrence Attard Bezzina (on 15/5/08)

I hope the government will not back down under these threats anyone driving behind a bus and several other vehicles knows what it feels like...

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, July 19, 2008. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Updated: Bus owners declare dispute over emission tests

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