Dirjanu cab fleet misses deadline to build service garage
Agius Trading was to build a space for 300 cars by this month but works are still under way
One of Malta’s largest cab operators has missed its own March deadline to build a public service garage (PSG).
By law, cab fleets with more than five cars must have a registered public service garage to store vehicles.
Last July, a Transport Malta investigation found that the public service garage listed under Agius Trading was in fact a disused field.
At the time, the company owned by mega-developer Mark Agius, known as Ta’ Dirjanu, said it would build a public service garage for 300 cars by March.
Transport Malta agreed to that arrangement.
The company operates around 190 cars on apps like Bolt, eCabs and Uber, and is among the ride-hailing industry’s major players.
Visiting the site at the beginning of the month, Times of Malta found the garage not ready, with only excavation works seemingly complete.
Company acknowledges delay
Replying to questions last week, a spokesperson for Agius Trading said the project has been delayed by four months.
“While excavation and preparatory works commenced as planned, the project experienced an approximate four-month delay during the early structural phase.”
The delay is the result of technical assessments that were needed to determine the best engineering method to construct the multi-storey garage, the spokesperson said.
“In the meantime, the fleet is not being parked on public roads. Vehicles are being kept at an approved public service garage facility, and the majority operate on a 24-hour rotating schedule, meaning they are actively in use rather than stationary at any point.”
“The company remains committed to delivering a fully compliant, high-standard public service garage that meets regulatory requirements and serves the sector responsibly,” they said.
Times of Malta sent questions to Transport Malta on March 3, asking whether the delay merited any action from its end. The authority has not replied.