Exclusive video: Scuffles outside Castille

The scenes outside the Auberge de Castille as well as those against private coaches carrying tourists yesterday are reminiscent of times gone by on these islands.....then it certainly was not safe to travel to these islands because of the political unrest! Today, there is no political unrest but there is unrest from a few unethical and malicous types who think that the country owes THEM a living when THEY need to show some respect to others and certainly the basic semblance of hospitality and service! I cannot blame the tourist if he or she says they will never return...in the long run that is a risk we have to take in this competitive and harsh reality of global travel! Tourism is like watching televsion today....if there is nothing you like to watch on one channel you zap through till you find a secure and pleasant experience on the box! I cannot accept that someone may zap past these islands tomorrow because of some confused persons.......and what's more I cannot accept that as a tax paying citizen my family could be threatened by these persons who find it so hard to reason and see common sense!

@ R Spagnol
(continued)

Several independent associations/unions resorted to anti-government protests when Labour was in power. Does that make them lose their independence for organising such actions? If you harbour such mentality (Jew maghna jew kontra taghna) you are indeed pathetic for such reasoning is senseless and outdated.

You mentioned Parties who want to win elections AT ALL COSTS by resorting to lies/dirty tricks. Were you referring to the 1996 Labour electoral campaign that included the removal of VAT among other promises? Many then, voted Labour, wrongly assuming that cash registers, simultaneously and compulsory introduced alongside VAT, would be scrapped. When election results were announced, Labour carcades are reminiscent for having cash registers being towed behind vehicles. Weren't the merrymakers misled? Dr Sant substituted VAT with a more rigorous CET and the compulsory use of cash registers was retained.

If it's annoying to get picked for using incoherent language, you should obtain qualified proof-reading before submitting blogs.

It's even worse when Parties CLING TO POWER against the expressed wish of the electorate AT ALL COSTS. Labour lost the 1981 election garnering a minority of votes (49%) yet winning the majority of seats (34) due to a perfectly-orchestrated gerrymandering exercise.

Ms Olina Tretyak, to put it simply, the bus drivers you spoke to told you lies.

It is not true that the Government wants a monopoly and it will simply give the service to another operator. The whole point of the strike was supposedly against liberalisation of the hearse service.

If some of the drivers don't even know what they are striking for, no wonder the violence and property destruction!

@jcostello, First I wouild like to apologize for the way our people are acting, and effecting your holiday, I feel for you. Only about 5% of the population accepts this, if that much. But please don't let these thugs win. By you saying you will not come to Malta anymore(and rightly so) you will let these thugs win.When in Malta, don't tip the taxi drivers at least the white taxi's. Try not to se the buses(when possible). Soon we will put out a tender for these services and things will change for the better. Also write to our Tourist Minister and ask him to make sure these thugs get what they deserve. Please don't hold it against all Maltese. They have a right to demostrate but not in this matter. I agree with you. By Friday most will be arrested.

Please tell me you are not serious. You want to stop these people from fighting for what they have worked for. Do you all know how much money these people spend to get a permit for a Taxi, Heres, Mini Van...? I think you don't know. If you liberate these permits this means that if a person was making a 200euro profit a months now this has to be divided again because more permits = less profit for each individual
which means, less money to our families. Imagine you are a taxi driver and you baught a permit for a white taxi costing you about 75,000.00 Maltese Lira, now comes this new law from our dearest Austin Gatt when he decides to liberise the permits. You will now lose money, because this was like property, it's an investment. Get less work, earn less money, live in poverty, sell your taxi for nothing, and make other people happy beacuse they baught a cheap permit thinking that they will earn their living! SILLY!!!!

It is disgusting. help these families that own their permits, make use of what they call COMMON SENSE.

@ P J Mifsud

My last msg was cut by the trimer of the times and I canot post it in full .
It is better if I stop here cause you'r not getting the point .

Thanks for the nice chat !! I hope we continue on another blog .

this reminds me so much of the marmalja style of doing things in the 80's.

Send the army out. These are not 'Maltese', they are harming all of us with their obscenities!

They cannot be allowed to block the streets, they have no right to stop others from working or doing their work.

This is why our lovely Island cant make it..we are stuck with this trash for ever.

@ A zammit

I agree with you that after the discussion there is the for action . In fact that is happening , both sides are acting . But did you notice who is suffering ? Everyone else!
This island needs a good plan for the public transport , no one can say : we shall get rid of every transport worker and then begin from scratch . It will not work that way .
We still need everyone to do his or her job , I add in a more suitable well planed way . To do this plan the government has its role and these workers still can give their feedback .
After all this chaos both side will end up around a table for more discussion . You wait and will see!!!

NO ONE will gain and everyone will have lost !

Last night I have spoken to bus drivers on the Valletta Bus Terminus to ask what is the point of their strike. They said that the point of their strike is: no place for 2 companies to operate in Malta. They said that Minister wants to take business from their hands and to give it to another Maltese company instead of them. They said it will be still MONOPOLY, but another company will hold it. Government will announce tender and will give it to another company. They said they have 508 buses, and not enough passengers for that number of buses. If they will be replaced by another Maltese company, who will bring their buses, all the current workers will appear jobless with empty buses on their hands. Regarding Subsidy €60,000 they said that the Government gives it as difference between full cost of ticket 47c and cost of tickets for children and elderly people, 35 c, to help public - children and elderly people.

@ R Spagnol

You're the sole blogger who complained, so that makes just one. Avoid generalisations/sweeping statements such as everybody thinks so, when referring to your own frustrations. Be honest and admit it.

I try my best to present level-headed arguments with some witticism devoid of common partisan jibes. If you're unable to distinguish between that and partisan politics, that's your problem. After all, Christ said that the blind include those who don't want to see (reason).

That the striking drivers FEEL betrayed doesn't concern me. It's ACTUAL facts that does. Drivers are under the wrong impression they're going to finish jobless, which idea has been implanted by some schemer. Merely shouldering full responsibility for your wild allegations is no solution - you MUST sustain them by producing tangible proof. How can you be naively gullible to believe a Union wouldn't sanction a strike on minor issues? There've been countless past examples, especially during Nationalist administrations.

Dare you mention any issues where the PN performed U-turns? I've provided FACTS - you've provided HOT AIR. That Tan-Numri organised anti-MLP protests doesn't obliterate its independence.

Fact is these people are thugs and our goverment is a whimp. Although they have a right to protest, they do not have the right to block roads, destroy other people's property, halt the emergency service and run riot in the streets. Why arent police officers armed with clubs at least? If the goverment gives in to their strike, than it will be true that these Thugs rule our country.

If one watches these videos closly one can see that its always one person that starts the trouble and the others follow like sheep.
These people should be dealt with.
The Video clearly shows one particular person starting the charge and he's probably gone scot free.

@ Ethelbert Schembri

Are you implying that having stated you followed the news, you were actually making a joke? That explains why you're absolutely muddled up about the strike issue. Do you know that negotiations have already taken place? Do you know that the Union's proposals are unacceptable to Government because, among other conditions, they demand :

A steep rise in fees
All hearse owners to belong to the Union (closed shop)
To remove the clause whereby licences be withdrawn if applicant doesn't produce a good conduct certificate
The monopoly enjoyed to remain in place.

If you agree with these proposals, why don't you say so? If the negotiations you expect to resume mean that Government should capitulate to such unreasonable demands, then I absolutely don't agree with you.

Rather strange way of using metaphors from someone who is hardly capable of making himself understood by using plain language. Please advise beforehand when you intend to include any figures of speech so that allowances are made by cautious readers such as Kaydee Zammit and myself, for your numerous gaffes !! Were I scared of people holding different opinions, I wouldn't be contributing to blogs.

@ PJ Mifsud

My friend, I told you that I FOLLOWED THE NEWS
!!

You didn't realise when someone is making a joke !

Holy Holy ,you really think that I intended for real the 'remote 3sd world
country' phrase, it was only a metaphor . I can't imagine someone to believe it and more!
Please go out and speak with someone there is a whole world to discover if
you want , but don't be scared there are people with different opinion out
there . That is the beauty of this world !!

@ Ethelbert Schembri

but then, after a lot of talk, if the talk leads nowhere, there comes the time to ACT!
and this is where this Government is different. it is not afraid to act

do you forget these 'kings' are sole to blame for the huge traffic volumes we have in Malta with the ensuing terrible air quality? does it occur to you that with a good public transport there will be less cars on the road and less pollution - less asthma and other maladies?!!

don't you see they're sucking up our taxes for nothing and killing us in return?

If this does not convince you nothing will..... ta ta.......

Do you really think that I am the only person that finds your pieces boring?????? No wonder everybody thinks that PJ Mifsud lives in a blue hydrogen balloon. And what picking on English; does it make your writings further annoying when we're discussing other serious issues. Your problem is that you can't distinguish dialogue from partisan politics. Seriously enough, this disable you from distinguishing black from white.

I carry full responsability of what I'm saying. Whether the drivers were quoting a misunderstanding or an unread flyer, they feel betrayed by the government also elected by themselves. One cannot keep pushing on the subject of misunderstanding as even if all drivers could not recognise such a lie, there is also their association which surely did not lead its members in the streets for nothing.

And please, avoid jokes!! "Tan-numri" was an independent organisation????? Another word which may be used for the pn instead of summersaults, could be the term "U-turn". The pn is really the "party of U-turns" with never ending contradictions hatching daily. The labour party may have done mistakes. Considering all mistakes actuated by the nationalists, the mlp becomes even more glorious.

As a foreigner I do not understand fully the history or the circumstances surrounding your current transport dispute.
However, I do know that it has disrupted my family's holiday to Malta and may disrupt my travel to Malta on Friday.
Malta is only one of many places we can holiday and spend money as tourists.
This will be our last trip to Malta. Some of you appear not to want to protect an important part of your economy.

Mr. Rodnik Abdilla,
First of all your English is very rare & this is why we don't understand eachother,
you have avoided my question if you remember your youth being on a bus, or maybe you see bus drivers just stopping in the middle of the road talking to another bus driver, once you hoot your horn all you get back is the middle finger..
also I asked if you remember a person falling out of a van on regional road, this you did not answer my question,
Once again do not make it a political issue..

Again this is what the mejority of Maltese people want & this is what they get.

Mr. Abdila IDAHAQNIX...
Do you remember

Why hasn't any of these guys got arrested?

@ R. Spagnol

Sorry to disappoint you - you're the only blogger to find my pieces boring. Alternatively, you may rest assured that your incoherent arguments expressed in pidgin English are a source of continuous, mirthful and humorous entertainment for all and sundry.

Whenever you make sweeping allegations, you're expected to sustain them by producing tangible proof. Otherwise, you're simply giving vent to frustrations by letting your fertile imagination run riot ( protester-wise? ). Who can tell exactly what the protesting drivers were waving? It could have been a misunderstood or an unread flyer. It's your responsibility to quote from the alleged document the actual words purporting that hearse owners were promised that a liberalised market wouldn't be imposed on their sector.

Regarding political summersaults, Labour holds the record for the number of issues on which they backtracked. These include VAT, Local Councils (Establishment & Party participation), EU membership, Euro introduction, Trade liberalisation, Broadcasting plurality for TV & Radio, setting-up of MCAST, University stipends...... the list is endless.

What do you mean by Eddie's fellowships? No campaigns were conducted by his fellow University dons. Grupp tan-Numri was a youth independent organisation that raised awareness about the dangerous erosion of democracy.

I think that for once there is a general consensus on this. The government has made its intentions about liberalising the market very clear, the MLP leader has agreed that the service is zilc and that in such circumstances where it negatively impacts the consumers, liberalisation should take place, the FOI, Employers Association, Chamber of Commerce etc as well as the general public have spoken out against this insensible and unprovoked strike.

Only the very very few with a partisan bias and political agenda have spoken unintelligibly in defence of the strike. Reading their comments it is clear what their objectives are.

Well done to the PM and the government for taking this stand. This is a time where we as a country should get together and shout No More. Incidentally where's Toni Zarb and his Íssa Daqshekk' battlecry? Why is he not doing his daily exercise walking up and down the streets of Malta waving a banner proclaiming this precise slogan in the face of the taxi, mini van, bus and hearse drivers?

Thank God for EU membership ! It's why such standards as our public transport are obsolete

what are the police doing......just pussy footing. they should arrest these thugs, or are they afraid of them.?are they another bunch of 'holy cows ' the new untouchables?

@ Ethelbert Schembri

I recommend you listen to, apart from watching, all the news transmitted on every local and foreign TV station which is free to follow (except for the annual payment of a TV licence).

In this way, you might have the opportunity to learn that Germany, France,England, Spain, Italy and Belgium are neither remote, in respect to Malta, nor Third World countries. It's evident you have absolutely no idea what the terms "remote" and "Third World" actually signify. Hopefully, this acquired knowledge should also enable you to emerge from your obscure cocoon.

@ Kaydee Zammit
Sweetie pie that is simply a little bit of sarcasm !! Ha Ha !!

@ A Zammit
Why you are so negative my friend. If things got so much worse as you say, is because of this kind of attitude ( to walk away and leave behind the problems ) . Everyone has the right to be heard , yes again and again . That is why there is the Government that has a whole structure to do so , one of which is the director of labour that is a valid person and there are the unions with lot of experience for discutions .

@ PJ Mifsud
Yes I followed the news properly . So what ! If no one wants to see these kind of scenes in our streets the only way is by negotiations . The government spends lot of public money to refurbish and refurnish his offices so there was lot of space where to go .
About the MLP and 80s my friend I agree, that the story would be totally different because for sure you would have a totally different interpretation of the facts , there would be some bombs exploding on the property of government officials and yes the PN would do its outmost to foment violence and sabotage the negotiations .
These are the so called PN's democratic credentials.

@Alexander Attard The president makes suggestion unless passed by congress and later the senate the suggestion is null and void, unless it goes back up for another vote.If your/our PM is doing nothing than you vote him out. You don't go to his office and drag him out.
@Michele Catania Early election, keep dreaming, click your heels maybe you'll get your early election. It worked for my mom when she clicked her heels and got her early election(6 years ago thanks to Mintoff) Plus you really think the floaters will vote for MLP you better wait the 4.5yrs maybe they will forgive.

I think any public transport and/or heavy vehicle driver should be required to take a 1 year course at a school on driving skills and customer service at the university. It should be reviewed every 2 years. Here they will get an education and it will reflect on the service they give.

@ Michael Debono

What makes you so naively gullible as to believe that all the projects you mentioned would have been accomplished had Labour been in power for the last twenty years ? Wishful thinking, I believe.

Labour had the opportunity presented to them on a plate when they were elected in 1996. However they remained in government for a mere 20 months. Sant grabbed the first opportunity that came his way (his quarrel with Mintoff over the Vittoriosa Waterfront Project) to abdicate and abandon the ship of State.

Your quip about hibernation definitely makes more sense when applied to Labour rather than the PN which, in your opinion, have just woken up. In fact, Labour has been hibernating on the Opposition benches for the last 19 out of 21 years in Parliament.

So tell me, dear Joseph Caruana,

Do you think anyone has the right to block streets and keep people hostage, attack police, steal public property (car keys) and vandalise private property?

Don't you think such thugs deserve to be called all sorts of names? Or do you actually believe in the "right" to be a thug?

@ Ethelbert Schembri
you are actually very right... things did not remain the same for 40 years...... they got so much WORSE!!!!!

You're right - I've never been in discussion with this kind of people - because when i'm meeting people and they start behaving that way, I stand up and walk away......

Why is it in my country when someone is protesting in this manner he is called all sorts of names. The prime minister was in France celebrating the rush on Bastille. Remember it could happen in Malta if, God forbid, all those (Shipyards, air Malta, sea malta, dockers, customs, hunters, and many more) with whom promises were not kept were to join in the protests.

These law breakers should be arrested and made to pay through their nose for all the losses the entire Nation is making.

This is obscene and shoudl Government should teach them a lesson once and for all.

@Denis Catania : First of all in the White House lives the President not the PM ! And second of all the President in the US make crucial decisions not like ours because all he do is NOTHING !

@ Ethelbert

Could you please tell us exactly from where you get your information? Since when have Germany, England, Italy and the like been 3rd World Countries? Do you even know what the term means? If you do not know the facts, please do not comment. There is no place for hear'say and wild speculation here. Heaven knows there is enough fiasco right now.

@ Dominic Camilleri The thing is that Dr.Lorry Gonzi before election promised these people that he won't touch their permit, and what happen ? he did it again when you win with a lie everything come back to your face.

He escaped it from Tarzna and there he lied again when said that Hellena Dalli knew about it.
But seems here found a strongest people to fight for their in come.

Face The reality now gonzi never mentioned he will touch the permits instead he said they won't be touched

The Malta Police force need better riot equipment helmet, protective clothing and shields and koshes wouldn't go amiss.

Nobody can avoid facts, not even those for whom Gonzi and Co. are holy. Obviously, the pn has deceived again. As soon as I will have the original material I will not hesitate to paste them here as I did with the pn's electoral promise no. 45. Practically we have reached the worst level of politics where not only the government could not even stick to his promises, but also act against what he actually pledged. The drivers have also been misguided and cheated like all other tax payers who were guaranteed.

And Mr.M.Gatt I would not falter to join the transport association against Gonzi's arrogant attitude if they haven't behaved in such way. Comparing this situation with one from the Mintoff era makes your argument senseless as at that time, the Government was sensible enough to discuss matters with the bus drivers themselves. On the contrary, nowadays we only discuss Gonzi's final decisions...........

People has the right to protest but not to be violent. I ask how many were arrested for being aggresive towards a police officer. In this video such people are seen clearly. If they have to protest, they must be civilised protests and not aggresive once. Even if you are right in your arguments...if you use violent you loss all the argument

It seems that the same old pantomimes by the king of boredom Pj Mifsud and his fellow Cunningham parrot are back. I think that they have forgotten "Il-Grupp tan-Numri" or else the pathetic campaigns by Eddie's fellowship!! Supporting a party which would want to win an election at all costs even by using lies and dirty tricks, makes one perform such summersaults. Furthermore, whoever thinks that all bus drivers are labourites must be going mad. The same goes for the public transport service which although it still uphold many defects, nobody can deny that recently it has made a great improvement.

For the sake of truth and credibility, I wish to remind those reading how the blue made mates mentioned above, have already posed me a similar question regarding the dockyard. Written promises and contradicting recent happenings have proved Gonzi's party to be structured from serious lies. Coming to the main point, I think that everybody have watched the drivers waving the letter sent to them by the pn as if the former minister was showing some concern.

I hope sane people are not sucked in by all the rhetoric expressed by some conservatives in these bloggs below. The Govt. has a hidden agenda. Firstly by offering all and sundry manna from heaven to get there votes, once that is achieved going back on its word knowing very well the reaction it will get. May I remind these conservatives the PFP saga and the rise in surcharge on utilities all done WITHOUT consultation. When enough protests got the back up of the population it will come out with the slogan of "WHO RULES THE COUNTRY" and pssibly an early election.
@Ethelbert Schembri
Iwholly agree with your comments. They are very well put.
@Ruben Balzan
Would your comments be the the same if MLP WAS IN GOVERMENT .

The longer protests take, the more turism business slips out through our small hands minute by minute....

Yes during the Mintoffian era these same people had been threatened with the withdrawal of and they withdrew their strike actions. The present government should not resort to this but should start issuing licences to whosoever wants to operate in the sector immediately and these licences should not be just temporary for the time they are on strike,

Keep it up Dr Gatt, do not let a few thugs continue to rule this country.

@ Adrian Vella
"What is this? "La prise de la bastille (castille) on the 14th July anniversary?"

Illlau veru x'kumbinazzjoni!!!! history repeats itself ruhi!!

To All The Maltese Reading this:

I would like to thank TimesOfMalta.com for publishing this video online and not censoring it.

1. Malta's main resource is tourism. This is based on public transport mostly having lowcost airlines operating to Malta. It is true that tourists see our busses as a characteristic and also as an experience to ride on.

2. We should not permit such acts by these people. As mentioned in other articles by people who submitted their comments, these are the front liners of the Maltese islands. We cannot afford to have such attitudes and we cannot afford to have people who are supposed to be living in Mayhem to represent us.

3. All Malta wants a change. We do not want to see such a mess on the roads any longer.

4. There is the bus lane at Marsa...How many bus drivers do actually observe the fact that they cannot get out of it. How many of them do drive as they please and at times even causing accidents?

5. WE NEED CHANGE AND HOPE THAT MLP IS BEHIND GOVERNMENT

Maria Dolores Fenech wrote: "May I remind you that once during the Mintoffian socialist era, these same persons were on strike, but had to bring an abrupt end to it as they were threatened with the witdrawal of their licences. What would you say if the goverment reacts that way?????"

I would say, well done, and thanks.

@Police comm. John Rizzo, you must arrest any one who breached security and attacked the office of our PM. The video's are there. I don't mean 1000 Euro fine. A long jail sentence. You have the proof. Anyone who attacked the PM office should be arrested with NO BAIL. This is a serous offense against our national security.
@Jessica Attard striking is one thing but attacking the PM office is another thing.You are wrong they don't attack the ofifce of a PM or president in other countries. If you breach the White House the minimum sentence is 10 yrs in Federal prison.
@Maria Delores Fenech, The man that got his throat shoved slightly, would have been slightly shoved at his chest. If he wasn't 4 feet tall. The cop was probably telling him to go before he arrests him. He wasn't provoking he was protecting our office of the PM . The people who we're trying to brake the door of the PM, should be in the beautiful hospital we built, tonight under arrest.
@JOSEPH without the floaters you can't win. I think you are losing the floaters before you get them. See JOSEPH they don't even respect your suggestions.

These people once again state their arrogance and stupidity. Never in my lifetime on this island have i encountered more ignorant people than bus drivers. They clearly show how much attention hungry they are and that is what they want due to their mediocre life style. Such attitude should be punished by arresting them that simple! What if common people had to behave like that in front of castille on a normal day. How would have they been penalized?Chris

Mr or Mrs A Zammit , I want to come for that beer too ! so we can talk it over with Dr Gatt . I think you never been in this kind of discussions cause if you think that things stay the same for 40 years well you are dreaming , things change my friend that is why they need to keep an open discussion. I only hope that whoever have big balls don’t hurt himself and others with them !! On either side .
Mr Reuben Balzan you didn’t understand noting and yes I was and will be there ! Can I with all humility remind everyone the strikes the doctors did in the 70s did they made discomfort to any one at that time ? And who can tell me that was fomenting at that time . If I am hurting anyone I am sorry to tell you the truth !

Everyone please read more carefully ! I didn’t supported but neither deplored the facts cause I wasn’t in the discussions and I don’t have the letters and contracts that the transporters have .
By democratic European way my friend I can give you some examples that give us our friends from remote 3rd world countries like Germany , France, England , Italy , Spain , Belgium etc, when they protest they do it much more ‘democratic’ tell the police of their respective countries ! Please watch some news its free !! If you live in a cocoon is not my fault . Again I m not telling that they did good or bad .
If anyone think that these support the MLP just watch the clip more carefully you will know who they voted for and what where telling that they will do next time!!

Well today i had to go to Valletta our capital city, besides having to walk it, i noticed something which few people mentioned here. I am not against any protest, but to be honest, locals and tourists were afraid. I am more concered at this point with public safety. The police did a good job today but i think measures are to be taken if this has to go on tomorrow. Maybe the army and our special forces should be present as well to contain the situation. Public safety is crucial especially this month being the peak of our tourist season.

Jessica, people have the right to and should strike when their interests are being hurt by the government. They do not have the right to bring the country to a halt though. They would have had some support from the public if they did not hurt the public.

Also, violence must NEVER be allowed or tolerated no matter where it comes from - no exception to the rule.

was anyone arrested or booked??
all I saw on the news is a policeman wispering in one of the drivers ears, what was said??

Malta Hanina Hobza U sardina.

You have a long way to go before you can promote this island into a 5 star resort. I feel sorry for all the Maltese investors who have pumped in millions of Euros in the tourism sector only to see their benefits being spoiled by a bunch of hooligans trying to gain access into the Prime Minister's office. If this was done in Washington, I can assure you that the National Guard would be out in the streets immediately to quell the disturbance or should I say the uprising. I'm not against the strike as we live in a democratic society where strikes are a part of life but to take the law into your own hands is illegal and Austin Gatt should ensure that the riot squad and the army are put on full alert next time. Lets hope that everybody has learnt a lesson and that this matter is solved ASAP. Anybody caught on video should be prosecuted and his license revoked indefinitely. The police should also ensure that the roads are kept free for all the tax payers who have a right to use them.

Mr Rodnik Abdilla,
Why is it that all the MLP Supporters make this political.
Grow up & see the future for your Children..

Yes as we all know the MLP is always right, this is why the PN keep taking the elections because people like you don't understand.
I am one to work on the road every single day and see these, bus, taxi & mini van drivers drive like crazy & think they own the road. it seems that you don't send your children to school in a mini van Do you,
Do you remember Mr Abdilla when a student fell out of the back of a mini van??

Keep it up Austin Gatt we the PN supporters are in full force behind you. it's about time this stops..

Liberalise. The only way to wake these people up from pre-history, and the rule of the jungle is to cut their subsidies and liberalise. Competition brings improvement. Why should the transport of the living or dead not be liberalised when so many other companies and services improved after being liberalised?

On the news a bus driver showed a letter sent by Laurence Gonzi before the election were he gave his word that a new government will not liberalise the public transport. Is this true??
Because I'm a little confused now.

Malta 2008 - A modern, European democtaric country!!!

Do these people realise that in 2008 every citizen has the right to choose what he wants to do for a living?
If I own a business, everyone has every right to open exactly the same business right next door to mine. So how do these people expect to be treated differently?
If my job is never guaranteed how dare they expect that theirs is?
I hope that the government will not budge the slightest on this and may I suggest some things to minister Gatt:
1. Liberalise immediately all public transport so we won't go through all this again when the time of the buses and others come.
2. Make it mandatory for all the public transport workers to attend a professional customer care course and impose strict regulations on them BEFORE they are awarded or extended a license
3. Immediately call all buses for a full VRT test.
4. Stop all subsidies.

Maybe these people will once and for all realise that in a modern society you can earn a good living only if you give an honest, fair and professional service.

Stay firm Austin as only you know how!!!

when someone LIES to a person or {authority) that is what you expect a PROTEST and who is to blame?THE LIER of course.Iam realy sorry for these drivers..They have been trapped like what happened to the fishermen, hunters,farmers and so on and only the drivers have a real FEDERATION with GUTS that don"t stay for everything. i think these scenes are becoming everydays news if the government is continuing ignoring people.SHAME ON YOU GVN

Apart from the tourists being held in the airport, unable to go to their respective hotels, think of the residents. What happens if an emergency arises? Will the person whom the said emergency concerns be delayed with no other means of getting to hospital without a half an hour of fiasco to get the vehicles out of the way? Isn't this yet another form of violence? As a mature student, I cannot afford a car of my own so I have to make use of public transport. I can confirm that most of the drivers treat its customers - local and tourists alike - without a shred of respect. And seeing that video lost me the last bit of sympathy I still had for them. A monopoly never was a solution. In the case of the hearses, prices are sky-high, and the level of service offered by the bus drivers is so low it's unbelievable. They are finally getting what they deserve, no less. If this strike is what was needed to make the government take notice and a stand for our rights, then I can only thank the bus drivers and hearse owners alike for bringing it to attention.

True that we are in the middle of the silly season - another two months folks and the party is over - but it seems that it is thanks to the public bus drivers that there seems to be some sense of general consensus between contributors on these threads since the general election. The issue is one - how many of them - the talk of the town - are expressing their views with us here on these threads?

haha ara vera, literally... ..circus has come to town........is this the Smart Island Gonzi has been bragging about......police constables unarmed against herds of angry drivers! where are the armed riot gear......oh I've forgotten.......most probably we haven't got any......do we??

What is going on here? Why is AC Josie Brincat, whom I greatly respect, acting like so? A protester practically attacked him and he just let him go after some whispered exchange. Why did he not take him in? Is it not a crime any more to violently push a police officer to the extent that the latter loses his service cap? One can see quite a few uniform caps on the steps leading to Castille. Why was prompt action not taken? I once saw and heard AC Brincat issue a direct order for a football supporter to be taken in, and believe you me he never ever acted so much rudely as the protester here or touched any police officer, let alone the AC himself!! In my opinion this protester will do it again ghax Josie ma jghamilli xejn! I am totally against a police state but for godness' sake no one should get away with treating a member of our police force like that. And isn't being barebreasted in public a wrongdoing? I was always taught to be fair but firm.Being so will gain a lot of respect from us citizens who look up to our Police Force.

@Rodnick Abdilla, I as a PN supporter praised Joseph Muscat. Along with other PN supporters. Mr Abdilla what do you want us to do? bring out the marching bands. Joseph has so far done a good job. He has done more for Malta and MLP in 6 weeks than Alfred Sant and Carmenu Mifsud Bornicci did in 25 yrs. As a Maltese first than PN supporters I want to see a strong second party. Maybe one day he will get you guys there.You must learn to praise the PN when they do well. Once your're not in denial anymore, then you can help strengthen your party.

Where is the rule of law? The police should uphold the law and immediately arrest those thugs that charged at Castille, attacked Paramount coaches and other UBS vehicles and attacked taxis operating independently of any association. Was the protest legal? Did they have police permit? If not then the law was broken for starters. The law was further broken by assaulting police, breaching peace, public disorder, illegally blocking roads, assaulting third party vehicles if not the vehicle owners themselves. The images and videos should be enough to bring those people to justice. The law is equal to them as well. Malta does not need these thugs at the frontline of incoming tourism. What a shame! The police need to demonstrate to the public that they uphold the law in defence of the general public! ARREST THE THUGS!

Jessica dear, please don't tell me you weren't reduced to tears at the sight of those poor downtrodden workers defending their right to strike? HA! All I saw were a group of disorganised uncouth men shouting themselves hoarse, banging like maniacs on a door which could take a whole load more of them and making rude signs at all and sundry. One thing I tell you, they have none of my sympathy!
And Rodnick - I LOVE your comment! ;o)))) Have you managed to translate it into English, guys? Keep them coming Rod - I've vowed to start a collection!

I was never sympathetic with bus drivers, was never satisfied with their "service", if you can call it that, and can't understand why they think the Government should give in on the basis of machoism... watching this video has made me even less sympathetic towards them.

I never thought I would say these words in my life, but I am definatley behind Austin Gatt on this one. Don't give in, and show them that public transport should be librealised.

It's seems to me that most of you forget VERY quickly. (conveniently)

1. You forgot the strikes (frequently held) in Spain, Italy, France etc etc. Are we Europeans or not ?

2. It's NOT a sin to PROTEST. But the PN made you think that way. (since the 70's, cause they don't want that the people or workers have power).

3. I'm not in favour of the monopolies, nor of how Agostoni Pio deal with sensitive issues without any discussions. But how I almost forgot, that once he said that the Parliament means nothing to him with a 5-seat majority.

4. This is what GONZI, AGOSTINO PIO & co. wanted, to DIVERT the attention of ALL people (especially their voters) from the surcharge saga.

5. This goverment will continue to do whatever he wants, even with ONLY 800 votes or so in his favour. Please Joseph, just don't be the opposite of Sant now.........he said no for almost everything and you're saying yes to almost everything........till now. Hopefully and I'm saying this sincerely, I'm wrong. I just don't want you in the same bed with Gonzi. Let him take his own medicine

The alarm clock has finally rang.After nearly twenty years the P.N. seems to have got out of its hibernation. Or has it? Within a few days we shall see. The alarm clock could easly be put forward twenty years. God forbid the P.N. remains in power.
Under the P.N. problems do take so much time to be solved: 17 years to replace an old hospital; over so many years to solve the rent problem. So many years and the courts are still far away from being up to date; so many years to bring the hospital waiting list up to date; so many years to renovate Fort St.Elmo. So many years and no sign in sight to rebuilt the Opera House and the entrance to Vallett. So many years to find a solution to take care of the neolithic temples; so many years to take care of the roads in Malta, so many years to eradicate illiterism; so many years to solve the problem of flooding. The P.N. truly sleeps on a bed of roses without thorns. How about leaving only the thorns to keep it awake
Malta has had the government it deserves for the last twenty years.

Good point Mr. DeGiovanni
....One wonders if the "charging bull" who started off all the mayhem (at 0.06 min of this clip) will be walking up the stairs of the law courts any time soon ?.....
The credibility of the authorities is at stake....you have the evidence....just track the guys so they serve as a lesson to every hot head!

Spot on Ethelbert, couldn't have put it better myself, that's exactly what would have happened if these shenenigans had occurred under a Labour government - two ways two measures always was always will be.

There is a maltese saying 'Waqqa l-gebla fuq saqajh' and thats exactly what PN did, when they specifically promised just weeks before the election, that transport would not be liberalised. (Drivers were showing letters sent to them by ex-Minister Mugliett)

I think the local transport system leaves alot to be desired so if liberalisation improves the service I'm all for it (although I'm sure this will come at a considerable increase in fares) - but why oh why did PN promise one thing and then do the exact opposite and not only that refuse to have discussions when requested - talk about adding insult to injury.

The attitude shown by the bus drivers is appaling, but the fact that the government let the situation get this far is even worse because they had the means to intervene by agreeing to discussions.

In the words of good old Bundy - Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse

What is amazing is how this issue has been turned into an PN/MLP issue on this blog! There should be no partisanship in this case. The thugs and hoodlums in the video should be condemned by all and sundry. These people should realise that the bus service in Malta is eons behind any European country and also lags far behind that in many developing countries. Bus drivers obviously do not want to hear this. They have been doing as they please for far too long. It is about time something is done to eradicate the shabbiness of the buses, the attitudes and the whole system. A cent or two increase in bus fares would be a small price to pay if we can achieve this. And to all bloggers - let's stop the PN/MLP nonsense!

@ Ethelbert Schembri

Had you followed the news properly, you'd have learned that discussions between Government and the Union have been held but results were inconclusive. The union presented a set of proposals on behalf of hearse owners that were unacceptable since they were monopolistic in nature. Please refer to the news item entitled "Emergency Bus Service from tomorrow" on this website where Austin Gatt gives a detailed account of the issue. The funny thing is that buses, minibuses and taxis haven't featured in government plans for liberalisation. Yet their owners were on the forefront of the deplorable blocking and assault incidents perpetrated in broad daylight on private car and tourist coach owners.

Had the same incidents occurred under a 1980s Labour government, the rhetoric would have mentioned Police harshly beating up protesters, dragging them into Police vans, arresting them and keeping them in custody. The protesters' vehicles blocking arterial roads would have been forcibly towed away and a state of emergency declared.

Your knowledge of local history, especially the post-war era, must be mythical and limited to hearsay information. It is suggested to READ carefully historical books to satisfy your intense curiosity regarding the PN's democratic credentials.

Liberalisation to eradicate monopoly? or monopoly driving liberalisation to eradicate monopoly? I just dont know anymore.

What's the fuss with having a strike? Need you call them names? I wonder how many know that strikes in a civilised country such as France are literally the order of the day...so what's the big deal? People have a right to safefuard their interests - as these people are doing. Perhaps some particular instances may have been omitted, and undoubtedly violence is to be condemned...but if a strike's needed to bring a point across, then so be it. I'm not saying that government's stand was wrong. One must, however, take into consideration the workers' position. What about the letter sent to said workers on election day, saying that their jobs will be untarnished? With the way things are going, one might envisage an undisirable comeback of the 50s/60s situation. In such case, I find the "Iva Kollox Possibbli" slogan being used by the workers in question to be quite dangerous, as it makes me wonder to what extent the workers are ready to go, if they were to join forces seriously...

I think what we have seen today is truly a shame to our little country - best way would be for both sides to sit down together and try to find a solution - what I see as the worst thing happening in all this is that all tourists (foreigners) arriving at the airport are being kept locked at the airport.

ET

I am still amazed that in 2008 we still have these 'pantomines'.. sorry for the description but i can't help myself. Why can't the drivers just scrap their old buses and get new ones just like many of the drivers did? Why we (the maltese & gozitan people) have to say 'YES' to choose only from the 11 Companies who take care of funerals, why can't we have any selection? Why is all this fuss going on and on? Can't we seetle down around a table and discuss the main issues properly like proper people?? Why is all this?? I side with the goverment side im sorry don't be offended. - Joseph Zarb, St.Venera.

These people have to be put in plcae once and for all.
I wonder how many arrests have the police made ? Blocking roads is illegal

If one sees the video closely, at 1:22 a policeman catches a man from his throat. Then he went to say something in his ear, and the man started protesting. His friends were angry and started shouting. Was the policeman trying to provoke?

Just watched the video-----No comment

R.Spagnol------Its a real pity that there are people like you who instead of forming a common front in favour of the long suffering customer take this opportunity to dig in petty political nonesense.......but since you did and since noone seems to have done it before me I challenge you, like I challenged Mr.Jack Skelt ( to no avail), to find the page, paragraph and sentence in the PN Manifesto where it says that a PN govt. will not Liberalise Public Transport!! Or re-writing, word by word, the supposed 'letter" which Gonzi sent the bus drivers before the election!! Come on Call my bluff!!

@ Monopoly lovers-----Did you read the Sunday Times yesterday?? Why should Mr.Karmenu Azzopardi not be allowed to use his hearse cars on which he spent thousands?? Why should the government support Cane and not Abel?? Why should the govt. allow hearse owners to decide the price as they please?? And if there isn't demand for more Hearses then why, may I ask, do these people want a licence?? Are they crazy?? Or do they have a few thousands to throw in the bin??

@ M Gatt
"May I remind you that once during the Mintoffian socialist era, these same persons were on strike, but had to bring an abrupt end to it as they were threatened with the witdrawal of their licences. What would you say if the goverment reacts that way?????"

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080714/local/government-stops-subsidy-to-bus-drivers

@ G Borg + Vincent Pace + Konrad
Shooting the moon?

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080714/local/mlp-leader-calls-on-transport-operators-not-to-strike

XOGHOL - GUSTIZZJA - LIBERTA`
DJALOGU

P S Words in capital letters were slogans by the PN in the past!

yesterday Dr.Joseph Muscat said that he don't agree with the strike, and said better if this won't happen.

Where all of you writing all this today was ? non of you entered here and said well doen to Dr.Joseph Muscat.

or you just come and write when on the wrong thing only?
Be responsabile for once and say yes MLP got a leader that knows what he is doing.

Non of you have the guts to do it.
When i say non of you i mean the once who write only against mlp

@Ethelbert Schembri: You clearly have an extremely distorted view of what a democracy is and how it works. A democratic country is based on the rule of law - which among other things means that nobody is above the law. I'm not sure you realise that the strike being carried out by them (with the exception of Hearse owners) is illegal.

I also wonder whether you feel it is justified that these people have brought have the country to a standstill and frustrated thousands of commuters today. Where you anywhere near Floriana and Valletta this morning?

In the meantime I wonder what today's strikes have cost the country (including the private sector who has got nothing to do with the issue and who has adapted to a liberalised commercial world without resorting to unacceptable actions).

I don't know if you realise that there have been discussions which were unsuccessful (read Austin Gatt's comments on what they were asking for and you'll understand why).

And by the way.. nice sense of humour you have there... do you really view these people as 'peaceful protestors'? How ironic you had to post this comment under this video :)

Dear Ethelbert,

discussions with these guys have been going on for 40 years and led nowhere...
What was needed all the time was a big-balled government to call there bluff....

Well Done Dr Gatt... next time in Marsalforn we owe you a (huuugeeee) beer! (only if you do not call in though......:-)

This footage, if nothing else, proves that Govt is right...if anyone "believes" that these are people with whom one can discuss and consult? Far from it. If someone "pretends" that these people are right in some way, it is either because he or she never gets up on a bus, or is just delighted at the fact that they are protesting against the government. They have absolutely no right not only to do what they did today, but what they do everyday with us citizens and tourists. These people do not realise two main things. First that they destruct what us all the rest of us do, to make this place attractive and customer friendly, and secondly that the public transport service is not their property. It is all ours. They are there to give a service to us all, not to dictate, in any manner to anyone. The footage is definitely not a surprise. I do hope that arrests will be made. The Government represents us, and the Courts represent us. And we want liberalisation of the transport market, whether we are living or dead!!

This is totally and utterly unacceptable and as the old saying goes
-- 2 wrong don't make a right!
The strikers are wrong in blocking roads and causing inconvenience to all other citizens and tourists.
The Government is wrong in having stuck a deal that goes against EU law.
There are 3 wrongs in this 1 actually. Why am I paying taxes for the salaries of police and army???? Are they not capable of doing their job and preempting such disturbances and disruption?? Where are their riot gear or is it too hot for that??? Next we'll see them sporting a pairs of shorts and T-shirt and flip-flops. All I heard/read about were a few scores of police in normal uniform 'protecting' the Castille door!! Hello? Can we avoid anarchy? DO YOUR JOBS.... And Mr. Gonzo make sure the Gov't does its homework well before striking deals!!

Ethelbert. If this were a Labour Government things would have happened rather differently. There would not have been a strike because they wouldn't have striked against their own party in goverment.

so...the majority of the maltese are calling for tougher stand by the police by moving in riot police and soldier, on fellow maltese who after all are concerned about their own future, but when these were called in during illegal immigrants riots, we were the first to accuse our police and army racist!

pajjiz tal-mgienen!

I would like to thank all the people involved in this scuffle and all other shenanigans around the island for reinforcing the idea which I assume most people who use public transport are aware of; you are the most despicable people on this island; a disgrace; this video says it all. You are not worthy of your jobs; you do not deserve to be in contact with any human beings, let alone tourists with your appalling behaviour. Shame on you all and may the transport system be liberalized to maybe give you the wake up call you so desperately need.

They have a right in striking over an issue, but they don't have a right in blocking the roads.
I hope that the police took all the numbers down and charge them for the illegale situation they had occured.

On behalf of the Police force, I would like to thank the Federation for providing this strenuous day of work under such scorching sun! Doesn't the Federation realise that there are more civil ways to obtain rights?

We`ll see if some of these people "kings of the road" go to jail after this video, if i` ve touched a policeman like that, now i`m having dinner in kordin for sure...is this justice in Malta Mr. Rizzo ? ? ? ?

I think this was the ultimate nail to the coffin (pun intended). If the bus drivers, hearse owners, taxi drivers and cabbies think that they have a monopoly or cartel then they are wrong.

I expect the authorities to take drastic action against those who have taken the law into their own hands. If they think they are above the law then they should learn a lesson. They have no right to close the roads or physically attack Castille or the police. This strike is illegal.

Even the MLP is against this action and they persist in their wrong doing.

What they don't realise is that through liberisation there will be more competition and they can earn more money.

Before striking they'd better focus their attention on how to improve the service because they do not an idea of what customer service is.

Had I been the Government I would take the opportunity and liberalise the bus services, taxis and mini buses.

Dear Ethelbert Schembri,

By "democratic European way" do you mean perhaps the following:

1. Illegally blocking roads and thereby holding the population hostage.
2. Charging at Castille in the vain hope of illegally entering the prime minister's office.
3. Fighting with the police and causing public disturbance.

Have you ever read the story of the boy who cried wolf? I'm sorry but these thugs lost our sympathy a long time ago.

What a disgrace! This is unbelievable. How can anyone trust practically the whole transport sector in the hands of these people! Thank God for Austin Gatt who's finally taking action!

comments on video from another view side. omg. have you noticed nearly all men are obese?

Wake up Mr Michael Debono it’s 2008. You don’t seem to travel much, not to Valletta at least. The railings that you mention have been gone for quite some time now.

Besides, what has the Government got to do with the unruly behaviour that we are witnessing from the Transport drivers? Is barging up the steps of Castille called a strike? Is blocking the roads considered a strike? You should blame the instigators of this so called strike for keeping you from ‘shopping at Valletta’.

one thing is for sure........ our transport system needs to be demiloshed and starts a fresh. we are part of european union an not some remote village in india.

i can't believe that such uneducated people would do such a thing..i can see nothing wrong with what the goverment is trying to do and i totally agree with it.. so i guess i have to say thank you to the maltese bus drivers for emberessing malta infront of all the tourist

Why is it that whenever the transport sector strikes they have to be so irrational. And as somenone else said earlier on from the clip it looks like the public transport and minibus drivers were outside castille and making all this fuss so now is the time to liberalise all the transport sector, at least we will get our value for money and maybe one day overcharging will stop.

When we have a crisis we need the police. We do not serve our country if we try to demoralise members of the police force in the exercise of their duty.

I am amazed by the facts and comments !!!

I want to make it clear first that I m not in favour or against either part because this sensitive issue needs to be DISCUSSED not IMPOSED , by either side !

What amazes me is that if this issue had it been developed under an MLP government , I am totally sure that the comments will be totally different .
They will sound like : The MLP is acting undemocratic , is not consulting , we are living under a dictatorship regime , no one can protest , the police is using its brute force over peaceful protestors , poor us poor them shame for the Government and so on with the same old bla bla bla. Everyone knows the rhetoric .

I don’t know how many times I have asked this question, that is : Can someone tell me which model of democracy did the PN forged their ideas ?
My guess is that no one will ever answer me !!!

Please if something has to be done shall we do it in a democratic, European way !
Or this is such a way ?!?!?!

When are we going to learn to educate ourselves on this Island ?? How could these people do such things when no proper service is given to the public. Last time I used public transport in Malta was 20 years as I'd rather walk then then ride those Chitty Bang Bangs. I travel around Europe very often and enjoy the public transport as there is full customer service and all the help you need is there were this in Malta is non exsisting. Yes i agre

....One wonders if the "charging bull" who started off all the mayhem (at 0.06 min of this clip) will be walking up the stairs of the law courts any time soon ? - I can't help but notice the two weights two measure approach when compared to the number of police present at peaceful and legal protests organised by civil society (emphasising on the word "civil") !.

to Michael Debono
haven't they removed the iron bars :-)

the bus drivers are just over reacting to the situation even if the market is opened It's now profitable or attractive
so 90,000 euros? may people spend that amount of money on buying property
but the funeral prices will not fall yet keep rising with competion or not
hope the situation calms down
ok so now the P.N goverment has done a terrible Job at keeping promises

Shame on our beautiful country, Disgrace, What a pity one cannot sit down and sort this dispute in a civilised manner, hope that both the goverment and the transport authority come to some agreement FAST!!

@ R Spagnol

Your letter, as usual, makes pathetic reading. Apart from the problem of having to decipher what you're trying to say in what you think is English.

I challenge you to produce tangible proof of your wild allegation, namely that Dr Gonzi promised voters that he would be putting on hold the liberalisation of the transport services sector. This accusation is just a figment of your fertile immagination.

EU regulations stipulate that no closed shop practices where licences are available for the haves must be allowed to operate in member States. On the contrary, a liberalised market where anybody satisfying basic requirements can apply for a license has to replace the former system.

Both the PN and the MLP are bound to abide by EU norms and regulations. Even in the event that your beloved MLP would have been in government, Sant would have been compelled to undertake these reforms in all events. You stated that the protesters' banners read "Flimkien kollox passabbli" (your mistake). Yes, in a few days time these senseless protests will cease and Gonzi will be able to continue with business as usual.

@Michael Debono

With or without SOS Joseph Muscat, Minister Gatt and his Goverment will definately come out victorious in the interest of the Maltese people.

Disgusted at the protestors.
What do you expect? Sympathy!!!!
No way! Liberisation of all markets

Please, Please, Please ... send out the army and full-riot police to counter attack such obscenities happening on our roads. A similar protest in BXL is challenged immediately by police and roads are cleared immediately. We cannot have such tough boys blocking our roads, blocking Malta International Airport and scaring people and tourists alike.... no option left, other than stop all the subsidies, licences are revoked and a clean swipe is done immediately. Well done for the Co-op immediate termination of Park & Ride. There was no alternative. Maybe finally, they realise that they are loosing out at the end of the day ... and loosing even more the sympathy of all the Maltese!

Who was on duty at Castille this morning??? A group of 'boys scouts' or members of the Police Force??? Why were there no arrests?? Since when do police tollerate this kind of actions?
I beg the authorities, mainly Minister Gatt to remain bold and to not give in. The public opinion is behind you.

What is this? "La prise de la bastille (castille) on the 14th July anniversary?

Public Transport works have a right to strike and protest. But can somebody tell me if they have a right to threaten and intimidate other garages/workers which were not obliged to join in the protest and cause harm to their vehicles and tourists inside them?

This is the rule of the jungle and if I had any sympathy towards their cause their savage and unruly reaction has swpet this away. I condemn their uncivil action and I am also angry that our polic force is/was unprepared for this situation.

WHAT A SHAME!!!

And do you know what the sad thing is?? These thugs are on the frontline of Malta's tourism business!!!!! Nuf said...the footage says it all.

Watching this video makes will make the world realise that our country tries to portray an image which in reality is not exactly that....How can you spend so much money on Brand this and Brand that and then have an amount of drivers in your public transport system which are basically thugs. How can we, in 2008, tolerate this attitude when any law abiding citizen doing the same thing would be arrested on the spot.

Why are these 'drivers' not arrested? Because if they would have been then probably the situation would have been worse? So what? Isin't law equal for everyone. If you shout insults when watching a game at the stadium you land yourself in court? Is it the case here?

Come on, we are just making fun of ourselves when we let these things happen. Let's get our act together once and for all and reform the system from A to Z including scrapping not just buses but any 'thug' acting as a driver. How can you contemplate that someone who acts this way will ever be respectful to a client. He may pretend to be but just to keep his job!

@Joe Said
I think you got it wrong, not everyone is with Gonzi. Some of us have a brain and a good eyesight to see and analise the argument. I think its the likes of the "blue rinse brigade"who only see life according to what suits them.Like someone said its not so long ago that they were out with saucepans (BOROM) MARCHING up and down Valletta and they thought they were smart a---s.

Is it not some of its own medicine we have seen today in front of Castille. It looks like a scene form the past way back in the 80’s the only difference is that it is not instigated by the Party in the opposition on the other hand Joseph Muscat has spoken for good sense to prevail instead of adding hay to the fire. I wonder if the PN would have done the same being in the same position but I honestly doubt it as we all know what happened in the 80’s. Sorry to say but now I will sit back and watch for I sense the big is yet to come!!

For all those interested and who want to fight back todays actions, join the Malta Transport Reform Action group on Facebook. The link is
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22980761894

The worst thing that the government can do at this stage is to cave in to these thugs' demands. Fine, there will be disruptions and hassles, but public transport operators have today shown that they have exceeded the norms of decency. There are also rules to public strikes! Anarchy is not one of them! It's about time to put a stop to this attitude, arrest these thugs, introduce an emergency service and liberalise the market - maybe one day we can also enjoy a decent public transport service!

I think that JM should not pose to support these people. Markets are to be liberalised and like that fair competition is created.

Monopoly can only create harm. Why is it that the monopoly is also held on funeral service suppliers? And how is it that these people oftenly get the information about any death before any of the relatives and families of the deciesed.

We want a free market and this is necessary. To all those blaming the government...I suggest that you start attending pre-school again, potentially increasing the logic and mentality.

This island has such a square mentality that it seems to be impossible to reason out.

GUYS START THINKING OUT OF THE BOX.

The situation has been brewing for quite a while now and am glad that a stand has been finally taken and hope that there will be no backtracking. I know that this has created an inconvenience for many commuters, I am one of them, but I hope that it will be appreciated by one and all that the majority of the bus drivers treat us " commuters" as cattle, worse than being in a third world country. Radios blurting out, Drivers talking to Inspectors, Mobile conversations emission of black smoke even from Mini buses carrying school children. We are the laughing stock for both locals and foreign people. The whole organisation is a SHAM. I will stop here as there is a long list of complaints that would go over the 200 word limit if I start listing them all. One last comment, Police should have been wearing helmets and using shields for their own safety. TAKE A STAND AS CHANGE IS REQUESTED ASAP.

The bus dirvers said it right "FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI"

If we all as citizens stick behond the Government on this one, it will be possible FINALLY to get rid of the lousy transport service we have all been suffering for years. Actuially worse than that is the arrogance by the bus drivers. It is the right moment to unite and tell them they don't scare us anymore.

We want to be ruled by our representatives in parliament, both the NP and the MLP not by street mobs,

@R Spagnol
"The drivers were another victim of Lorry's full-of-lies letters."
Who is Lorry , what letters and what lies are these? I take it you do not use the public transport system . If you did you would not be so keen to defend the status quo and outdated work practices.
Poor drivers indeed!

As a relevant newcomer to Malta and as one who has visited many of the EU counties and experienced their public transport systems I find the Maltese public transport system truely appalling. It is outdated and outmoded and needs to be dragged, screaming if necessary, into the 21st century. As for the drivers, they all need to be send on courses in customer relations as all seem to be surly types who seem to think that they are running the service to meet their own needs rather than the needs of the customer. And why is there no woman bus drivers on Malta?

Are these part of the law?

Public disturbance?
Offending officer?
Disobeying officer's order?
Trying to put on a fight?
Rude language and foul signs?

Hmmm I need help. I think we need officer with good training, knowledge of the law and not afraid to apply it. Besides a serious and good public transport.

The only one who is suffering from all this is the general public. Minister Gatt has to stop being so arrogant and stubborn and discuss things. If not we will continue with the scenes and situation we had this morning.
"Flimkien kollox possibli" was the slogan three months ago. So let it be.

From the video clip i just saw, it shows what uneducated people need to learn from most of us. These are the same people that need controlling on the rates they charge to non Maltese. I think the government needs to teach these people a few lessons and have his own transport. I guarantee that it will turn out to be better for everyone.

If Bus Drivers have become so buddy buddy with hearse owners and drivers I think the government should act fair and square and immediately, that is to say by the end of this week, fully liberalize the bus service. If any company is willing to open alongside the ATP to offer a public transport service I think we should grant it a service and full use of all facilities.

What is to be seen here in this video is merely a bunch of thugs in blue and green shirts; people who have led to many innocent people suffering unnecessary hassle. If they want to protest against the government they should do so in a manner which effects only the government not in a manner which effects anyone but the government.

The Authorities should suspend the licence of all those who striked today and moreover they should instructed the bus owners to return back all the subsidies which were given.
When some body wants to start a new business no one pretends to get sponsored from public funds.
The authorities should also as from the next day that the buses return back to service have there buses checked for emissions. Those who fail the test should have their licence revoked for at least a month.

@Jesmond Zammit
'IF BUS DRIVERS ARE DOGS LIKE SOMEONE SAID I REMEMBER WOMEN PROTESTING WITH BOROM IN VALLETTA SOME YEARS AGO.'

?????
perhaps you should elucidate. how are these two in any way similar?
More interestingly , are you saying that those women should not have been out protesting or that they 'attacked' castille?

Why the call SOS Joseph Muscat.
Is it not Gonzipn who governs.
If Gonzipn is unable to govern he should resign and call another election.
Is this the First time the buses have gone into strike or the Nth time?
At the time of the MLP the bus drivers were encouraged to show their teeth by the P.N. Once EFA called for an uprising and even attempted it - The Zejtun saga. So what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
We who cannot afford a car we stay put at home and let the government and his cohorte do the job and bring back transport for us so that we may go shopping at Valletta.
We do no counter protest. That's a job for the P.N.
So no call SOS Joseph Muscat. No Call SOS MLP. We sit waiting to see the P.N. government reaction that must be in in the people greatest interest.
Perhaps the bus owners should emulate the students protest and chain themselves to the ion bars at Castille. Such action will receive the P.N. support.

I agree with Mr Graham Cocker, Police need to be armed and if necessary use their weapons, the use of force by police does not mean that we went back 30 years as many here think, sometimes it is necessary as it happens in many European countries in similar circumstances. Don't forget that what we have seen in this footage is a failed coup.

all these people seem to be doing is ''trying'' to take the law in their own hands. Police should not be scared anymore of threats.we are in europe..and the government and opposition should work together and open their eyes to reality.. competition between companies is best for consumers.. and after all TOGETHER A NEW BEGINNING IS POSSIBLE?? lets wait and see!!

O.K. Sombody explain this to me. How come if an NGO organizes a protest (sometimes having as few as a dozen peaceful participants), it has to wait at least a whole week (if not more) for a police and council permit, and the police always outnumber the protesters, but in this case, a permit was given over the weekend (if given at all) and the police were ill-equipped to control the violent types not to mention outnumbered by at least twenty to one?

To think that we entrust ourselves and our loved ones in the hands of these people evertime we board a bus.

Anyone has the right to strike including the drivers but no one had the right to block the roads.The drivers that should be booked for obstruction and disobeying police orders and violently attacking the police. The case should be treated with urgency to serve an example to others. One thing that emerged from the Castille scuffles is the unpreparenes of our police force for such an eventualities. Five foot policemen cannot be any match for such tough guys. i am sure that our boy scouts would have done better. The Government should learn from such event and order a thorough overhaul of the police structure.

Tow them ALL away. Make them pay like we all normal people do when we park haphazaedly and block garages. These people should be thought a lesson ONCE & FOR ALL. Way to go Austin

Konrad, a NP has permitted a monopoly and a subsequent run down transport system for over 20 years. It has done nothing (i.e. nothing, get it?) to keep a sevice alive. We do have in fact a transport system that is pre-history.

Please note that today's events do not at all concern a revamp of the transport system. It is only about hearses (remember)?.

So I suggest you tell Gonzi/Gatt to get going and do something positive to improve the public transport system that NP governments let go into pathetic decay. Joseph is waiting and willing them on (if you follow the news at all).

OMG get me off this island

@ Gaetano i dont agree with your last point, fine the service provided by the maltese buses is bad, but look at how cheaper the fares are when compared to foreign countries. us people who dont drive (mostly students) already struggle to make ends meet. everything is on the rise a small bottle of water costs 90euro cents when i remember buying one (till 2006min) 20c (47 eur cents)

This is the 4th tribute of a minority government.

@ R Spagnol
Do not be pathetic please!!!! If you are one who is happy with the current public transport situation in our country I invit you to join this bunch of 'hooligans.'
May I remind you that once during the Mintoffian socialist era, these same persons were on strike, but had to bring an abrupt end to it as they were threatened with the witdrawal of their licences. What would you say if the goverment reacts that way?????
I appeal to Minister Austin Gatt to keep his determination of improving this public transport.

What we're seeing in the video are only a few hot heads. Most of the drivers are family men who are genuinely concerned of their bread and butter. This doesn't mean that they're right in wanting to keep their monopoly but change is difficult for everyone to grasp. Eventually time will tell. People will continue to look for a service from those who provide the best, no matter if its liberalized or not. Boycotting these people, as someone suggested, will neither give us a better service nor will it give them their deserved pay chq. By time they too will over-come the fear of change and understand that as much as we cannot all shop from the same supermarket, eat the same bar of chocolate and read the same newspaper, we cannot ride the same bus, or be taken to our grave by the same hearse. Many thanks to the police officers who endured today's ordeal and managed to calm the situation without having to beat-up workers unjustly like the old monopoly days in the Mintoff era.

is it true what i am seeing.are these things being done under the goverment that said[togather everthing is possible]is these the way of handling issues mr.gatt.are we going to see these scenes evertime you liberise something.mr.gatt we are living in a democratic country.if liberalsation should be done and here i am 100 per cent with you lets do it in a civilised manner and not in a confrontation manner just to show that you are a hardliner.quote from Peter Mandelson, British Commissioner of the European Union, For too long, decisions have been taken behind closed doors - tablets of stone have simply been past down to people without bothering to involve people, listen to their views or give them information about what we are doing and why

@ Sylvana....cowboy austin refused to have talks with the bus drivers.

@ vincent apap. so pathetic. the usual sitting-on-the-fence spin. Are you living on earth or on some other planet? If you want to know Joseph Muscat's opinion about this issue just go on the news section of this website. You know, watching just Net TV is not healthy.....

i dont blame them reacting this way, as they dont know any better........ this is the type of people have to face everyday when using public transport. they know that with competation they will be dead and burried. malta deserves better than this bunch of arrogant, ignorant hot heads who live in the bygone times.

It is rather big shame...Bus drivers....Taxis drivers etc etc etc.. The Police knows before hand what was going to happen. It is always the same like we live under one regime controlled by handfull of people. Where was the water bowser or the tear gas. Where is the enforcement of our what so called POLICE FORCE. They could have finished this shamfull scene in just theree minutes start the pumb and wash them away. If our Governement give in then I will be ashame to say that I am a Maltese......hekk konna u hekk nipqaw...keep your word PN

@ Rodnick Abdilla

Very well said. But who thought MLP would ever change. same old mentality. whatever happens blame it on Gonzi. Grow up for goodness sake, can't you see that all the country is behind the Government on this one. Even your new leader asked the drivers not to strike. do yourself a favour and stop politicising everything. Election comes once every 5 years. lets keep it that way. shall we...

Marmalja!

someone needs to put it in these people's minds , that we r living in 2008. this behaviour takes us back in the times of karmenu mifsud bonnici, when playing cowboys in the streets was the name of the game

I jsut came back from a cycle along Sliema sea front and it was heaven and the air was fresh. Gonzi issue the permits and bus drivers keep up your strike, its better with you off the road then on.

Apart for the uniform of some of the bus drivers (consisting only of a pair of shorts and an invisible shirt). They do not deserve to be granted the conditions they asked for. It's true that there are bus drivers out there who are polite but unfortunately enough you can count them on your fingers.

Not mentioning the taxi drivers, whom everybody knows they are "The Kings of the Roads".

Hopefully both the Government and the Opposition do not succumb to these kind of people. The consumer deserves better in terms of expenditure(i.e money) and liberalisation of the markets is the way to go.

i mean what did the government to these people?
hmm.........................................

cant find nothing to say!

IF BUS DRIVERS ARE DOGS LIKE SOMEONE SAID I REMEMBER WOMEN PROTESTING WITH BOROM IN VALLETTA SOME YEARS AGO.

a typical behaviour of maltese bus drivers. its about time to teach these king of the roads a lesson. we want our bus service in the same level of civalized europe. dr joseph muscat, ita time to join the govt in helping malta having a decent service. its 2008 and not 1980

For all those fed up of this situation, and the ongoing bad service provided by the Maltese transport system, please join the Malta Transport Reform Action Group - on Face Book. This is a group born as a reaction of todays events.

Amazing, no protective gear, no plastic shields, just the Policemen there unarmed against a bunch of angered people.

Riots squads don't exist in Malta?
They send the SAG for 12 year olds in Paceville, but not for these Thugs?

Can anyone give me an idea how much they are charging for the hearse transport service?

The drivers were another victim of Lorry's full-of-lies letters. Frustration is one obvious result of waving the Gonzipn banners and then get cheated by the pm's dirty jokes. Now the poor drivers are waving again the "Flimkien kollox passabbli" banner but it seems that they are doing it with a much more dif