Taxi drivers petition MPs

Drivers of white taxis last night petitioned MPs, calling on parliament to reconsider the proposal made by the Malta Transport Authority and Viset Malta to introduce a shuttle service between Pinto Wharf and Valletta for cruise liner tourists.

The petition was presented by Elija Grixti, former secretary of the White Taxi Licensed Amalgamated, on behalf of 170 other taxi drivers who signed the petition.

The signatures were collected from among the 200 members of the association.

In the petition, the drivers highlighted the fact that their business was already being eaten away by other services and this new shuttle service would deal a big blow to their livelihood.

It was pointed out that the number of licences of minibuses had shot up from 25 to 500, while the public transport service had also been extended to after 11 p.m., apart from the number of chauffeur-driven cars on the road.

"All these have reduced our business; the shuttle service into Valletta will exacerbate the situation. Its introduction will affect 250 families," the petition says.

Earlier this week, Viset chief executive Chris Falzon told The Times he did not see how the proposed shuttle service between Pinto Wharf and Valletta for cruise liner tourists would threaten the livelihood of taxi drivers since it would cater for tourists' different needs.

Mr Falzon said taxi drivers had to understand that there were thousands of passengers on a cruise ship and while some opted to take a taxi to the city others preferred to walk, go on an excursion or could choose to take the shuttle service.