Taxi drivers to petition parliament about shuttle service plan

Drivers of white taxis will be presenting a petition to parliament next week protesting the Malta Transport Authority's plan to introduce a shuttle service between Pinto Wharf and Valletta for cruise liner passengers.

The taxi drivers will also insist that their business at the Malta International Airport be secured since MIA has so far failed to accept their operating fee for next year and declined to give an explanation.

The taxi drivers fear MIA is planning to set them aside completely, to offer tourists alternative means of transport.

However, when contacted, an MIA spokesman denied this and said the renewal process allowing white taxi drivers to operate from the airport was expected to start shortly.

"The MIA has no intention of not renewing the operating contract," the spokesman said.

The petition was drawn up by Elia Grixti, the former secretary of the association representing drivers of white taxis, the White Taxi Licensed Amalgamated, who said he was speaking in the name of the majority of taxi drivers, showing The Times the signatures of those backing him.

Mr Grixti said he felt compelled to draw up the petition without the support of the WTLA, because, as he put it, taxi drivers were disappointed the association did not protest the planned shuttle service.

The drivers were also irked that none of the association board members were present to witness their protest at the sea terminal exit in Pinto Wharf last Sunday. Their blockage of the terminal entrance for a few hours has been widely condemned by ships' handling agents and others in the tourist industry.

"I have nothing against the association, but I feel we have to go it alone. I have the backing of all the 200 association members in this and we are prepared to take whatever action we are permitted by the law to safeguard our livelihood," he said.

The idea for a petition came about after Transport Authority chief executive Mario Falzon said talks were underway with the Viset cruise terminal consortium on ways to provide tourists with more affordable transport into Valletta.

Mr Falzon did not see why tourists should have to pay Lm8 to go up to Valletta and back to their cruise liner when they could pay, for example, a mere €2.

"This will deal a big blow to our business since our major income comes from the cruise liners and the airport," Mr Grixti said.

He also pointed out that taxi drivers charged Lm4 for a trip, which would put the cost per person on a par with the proposed shuttle service, given that there were four to five people on each trip.

When it was pointed out that white taxi drivers had a reputation for being rude and conning tourists of their money, Mr Grixti acknowledged this, but said such drivers were in a minority.

"The actions of a few damage our reputation. The public should not turn against us," he said.