The Public Transport Association (ATP) informed the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) and the Roads and Urban Development Ministry that it ordered a general strike that will come into force as of Tuesday, 28th February.
In a press statement, the Department of Information explained that according to the ATP, this industrial action is being taken because it believes that the subsidy for 2005 should be Lm50,000 more than the government’s offer. The association also stated that the government did not pay the rest of the subsidy-Lm200,000.
On the other hand, the government is insisting that the total amount of subsidy offered for scheduled transport service operations for 2005 should be Lm1.25 million. The government’s subsidy is based on the difference between the income generated from the selling of tickets (Lm6.59 million) and the expenses to operate the service (Lm15,430 for every bus). The government stated that this means that every bus will receive an increase of Lm1,630 in 2005, when compared to the previous year.
The press statement also explains that the government had proposed that Lm100,000 will be paid immediately to the association and the rest will be paid by March 15, following discussions between the parties.
The government expressed its serious concern regarding this industrial action and stated that the latter is hindering the progress in the implementation of the public transport reform.
Meanwhile, the government announced that as of Tuesday, eight emergency public transport routes will operate towards St Luke’s Hospital. The government appealed to the general public to make use of this service that is free of charge only in case of emergency.
These are the routes:
Route 1:
Departure Times:
From Birzebbuga - 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s - 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Birzebbugia Terminus: Triq Birzebbugia, Triq Zejtun, Triq Herakles (Qajjenza), Triq tat-Truncieri, Triq l-Arznell (Marsaxlokk), Bir id-Deheb, Ghaxaq By Pass, Gudja, Santa Lucija, Tarxien, Palm Street, Marsa -follows usual route to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Route 2:
Departure Times:
From Zejtun – 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s - 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Zejtun Terminus: Ramla Bay, Jerma Palace Hotel, Triq il-Qalliet, M’Scala Terminus, Triq Zabbar, Zabbar Road, Fgura, Paola Square, Paola Hill - follows usual route to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Route 3:
Departure Times:
From Senglea - 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s – 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Senglea Terminus: Xatt ta’ Bormla, Birgu (Café’ Riche), Kalkara, Tal-Hawli, Verdala Housing Estate, San Gwann t’Ghux, Ghajn Dwieli, Paola (Villa Moran), Paola Square, Paola Hill - follows usual route to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Route 4:
Departure Times:
From Mqabba Square - 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s - 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Mqabba Square, Qrendi Terminus, Triq it-Tempesta, Triq iz-Zurrieq Zurrieq Terminus, Safi Centre, Kirkop, Luqa (through tunnel), Luqa Square, Marsa -follows usual route to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Route 5:
Departure Times:
From Siggiewi Terminus – 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s - 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Siggiewi Terminus, follows usual route to Zebbug Terminus, Mdina Road, Qormi (Ta’ Farsina Housing Estate), Triq l-Isqof Scicluna, Qormi (San Gorg Terminus), follows usual route to Hamrun and St Luke’s Hospital.
Route 6:
Departure Times:
From Dingli Terminus - 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s – 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Dingli Terminus, Rabat Road, Dingli Road, Vjal il-Haddiem, Rabat, Triq Riebu Well, Rabat – St. Rita terminus, Triq Gheriexen, Villa Rumana, Bieb ta’ L-Mdina, Saqqajja Terminus, Triq il-Pont Attard, Attard Terminus, Balzan, HSBC Balzan, Knisja Santa Tereza, B’Kara (Stazzjon) Terminus, Fleur de Lys (Birkirkara), Triq il-Kbira Santa Venera, Triq il-Kbira Hamrun, St. Luke’s Hospital.
Route 7:
Departure Times:
From Mellieha Terminus – 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s - 1100 CET, 1800 CET
Mellieha Terminus, follows usual route to St. Paul’s Bay, Triq Toni Bajjada (Gillieru), Triq il-Plajja tal- Bognor, Triq il-Promenade, Bugibba Square, Bugibba/Qawra Terminus, Triq il-Promenade, Triq il-Hallel, Triq il-Pijunieri, Roundabout Imwiezeb, Triq Burmarrad Mosta, Triq il-Konstituzzjoni Mosta, Triq il-Kungress Ewkaristiku, Mosta Roundabout (Subaru Showroom), Naxxar Teminus, down Labour Avenue Naxxar, Lija (Orienta), follows usual route to St. Lukes’s Hospital.
Route 8:
Departure Times:
From B’kara St Helen’s Basilica Terminus – 0630 CET, 1500 CET
From St Luke’s - 1100 CET, 1800 CET
B’Kara St Helen’s Basilica, follows normal route to San Gwann, Naxxar Road, Regional Road, St Andrew’s (near Lotto office), Paceville terminus, normal route to St Julians, Balluta, Sliema, Gzira, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida along promenade.
In August last year, the ATP had told the government that it was unsatisfied with the subsidy offers on public transport operations made by the government and had warned that it will order industrial actions.
See also:
ATP to undertake industrial action
By Ruth Davies - Aug 9, 2005, 17:24 CET
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