Rush on Castille

The government took a tough stance against striking bus drivers yesterday and stopped their subsidies after they paralysed the island by clogging arterial roads.

The situation had got out of hand earlier when drivers charged up the steps of Castille, trampling over policemen and slamming their fists on the closed door, while shouting obscenities at the government, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his family.

Hundreds of bus, taxi and mini-van drivers rushed up Ġlormu Cassar Avenue after Assistant Police Commissioner Josie Brincat ordered them to remove vehicles blocking the road around the War Memorial in Floriana.

Although the police were quick to drive up to the Prime Minister's Office, they were outnumbered by the drivers, who charged through a blockade of a small number of policemen to get to the main door. Three busloads of policemen, including Police Commissioner John Rizzo, arrived shortly afterwards but it took around two hours for Mr Rizzo to convince Transport Federation president Victor Spiteri to lead the drivers away from Castille.

Later in the afternoon, the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) published a letter it sent to Mr Spiteri - who also heads the Public Transport Association, which represents bus drivers - saying that, for the duration of the strike, it was halting the daily €60,000 subsidy which guarantees bus drivers' income irrespective of patronage.

Calling the suspension of essential public transport services as "immoral and abusive", the ADT said the strike did not have any legal or factual basis and expected public transport to return to normal.

The authorities have also stopped subsidies which help bus owners insure their vehicles. The government has forked out €2 million in insurance subsidies since 1999.

Chaos ruled in the streets yesterday as public transport vehicles, including 10 hearses, carcaded along arterial roads causing numerous traffic jams. Things came to a head when scores of vehicles arrived in Floriana, with the major artery - St Anne Street - being blocked by taxis and mini-vans for several hours. The incoming lane (to Valletta) was still blocked by buses and mini-buses until late last night.

There was also mayhem at Malta International Airport in the afternoon with tens of taxis blocking the entrance and causing disruption for people who wanted to get to Malta's only airport. A spokesman for the Justice Ministry told The Times that all those who broke the law will eventually have to face the consequences. Even the Park and Ride system ground to a halt after the operator of the shuttle service to and from Valletta took part in the strike, triggering the ADT to terminate the contract.

"The Malta Transport Authority had no dispute with Coop Services Limited and expected it would carry out its services in accordance with its commercial obligations," the ADT said, adding that an emergency service started yesterday afternoon and a full service would resume from today with another provider.

There are fears that summer games organised by the Fédération Internationale Sportive de l'Enseignement Catholique - which are due to kick off today - will be disrupted due to the strike. About 1,000 athletes - including 800 foreigners - are taking part in the games.

In a letter to Mr Spiteri, Transport Minister Austin Gatt pointed out the damage that will be caused to Malta's and transport providers' reputation if buses do not honour their contract with the federation to provide transport. And, in a separate letter Dr Gatt insisted that he had discussed the liberalisation of hearses with the Motor Hearses Association before proposing it to Cabinet. He disagreed with a number of requests made by the association, including that all hearse owners would be forced to join the association, which has to be informed before any new licences are issued, that current tariffs are changed and people with a criminal record will be allowed to drive a hearse.

People have their say

The public transport strike paralysed the island, leaving the public stranded, forcing them to get to work late and disrupting people's daily routine.

The following are comments from people compiled from timesofmalta.com, which paint a picture of frustration. The public is clearly not sympathising with the operators' cause.

John Aquilina: "There is always a way to get your message across to someone but these strikers can rest assured that these actions have far from won them any respect or support from anyone".

Joe Borg: "Buses, taxis and mini-buses have a right to strike but not to create chaos, bully the country and take the law in their hands".

Mark Anthony Portelli: "Today Malta experienced 1) Pollution Free Day, 2) There were less bus/taxi cowboys in the streets, 3) I didn't see any black smoke which hazed my driving vision, 4) A popular movement to end subsidies to unproductive and inefficient services - Malta is finally growing up".

Alex Vella Gregory: "These people have bullied commuters for too long! They got subsidies, new vehicles and countless opportunities to prove themselves. This is not the government getting obstinate on an issue but the government finally tackling a long overdue problem".

Joseph Agius: "Thank you Dr Austin Gatt... I do not want my taxes to go to these thugs. Please use my money for an efficient, liberalised, civilised, modern transport service. I deserve this!"

Michael Borda: "Why are the authorities not stopping these operators from bullying us? If I leave my car in the road it will be towed but the buses are blocking the roads. This is anarchy and the army should intervene. I hope the perpetrators have been arrested".

Lisa Fiorentino: "When the majority of the Maltese population voted to realise their dream of making our tiny nation an EU member they had liberalisation of services in mind. Competition is healthy: It rids the market of incompetent service providers".

Bernard Borg: "The use of violence will only reinforce the public´s predominant opinion that the striking drivers should call it a day and go home and think hard (if they´re able to do so) about their action. Hopefully, they will soon realise that all they´re doing resembles a child throwing a tantrum".

Nicole Miller: "It is time for the arrogance, bad manners and terrible service to end! Stick to your guns, Minister Gatt!"

Jennifer Debono: "They have a right to strike but not the right to protect a monopoly or block roads. Our public transport service is a joke".

Joseph Aquilina: "After spending more than an hour in traffic I am one of those who believe the government should not give up. I am ready to spend plenty more hours in the heat as long as I see the Transport Federation lose this battle".

Paul Xuereb: "Despite all the inconveniences we are suffering, many of us are solidly behind Austin Gatt and hold in scorn the blackmail of the transport monopolists".

Ian Sammut Dacoutros: "It is disgusting, shameful and, quite frankly, verging on criminal to even allow a strike of this type in Malta".