Boycott Public Transport

Excerpts from timesofmalta.com:

Bus drivers threaten to strike over emission tests



Public transport may grind to a complete standstill if an "industrial dispute" between bus owners and the Malta Transport Authority over emission tests escalates. The Public Transport Association has directed members not to permit their buses to be tested for emissions.

The PTA demands the bus drivers themselves and not the ADT officials to handle the buses during the tests.

The ADT spokesman said that, over a period of 12 weeks, a total of 108 complaints about emission had been received on just one bus. Between January and March this year, 98 tests were conducted on buses and 58 failed. Owners were fined €46 (Lm19.75). Bus drivers who fail the test are ordered not to use the bus until they pass another test, which is normally held on the same day. The spokesman appealed to the PTA not to enter into disputes that could only harm the service.

PTA president Victor Spiteri said that, "if members are intimidated in any way, either through citations or by being prevented from operating after they obey the directive, the PTA would be constrained to stop the public transport service."

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The bus drivers say they're being "intimidated... through citations" because their buses give out loads of toxic fumes. Do they think playing the victims will work? We are the victims. Their victims. We pay their subsidies with our taxes, and what do they do? They poison us.

"The ministry is amazed with the PTA's attitude on the matter." No shit.

These people, if you can call them that, are putting our lives, those of our families, and especially our children at risk so they can save a buck. They may have a stranglehold on the government, but we have a stranglehold on them. We just don't seem to know it.

I, for one, am going to boycott public transport until they give in and shape up like everybody else. Or better still, till the public transport system is liberalised in the year 2158. In other words, I won't use the bus to go to Valletta, regardless of how long it will take me to park. I know it's not much; I already don't use public transport often - sue me. Pollution-wise, 2 cars on the road will be worse than 1, I know, but I just can't give them the satisfaction.

As a whole, companeros, we have to get our retaliation in first... if they go on strike first, it will be too late. How much could they gain from a strike if the only customers are turistas? Try to get your amigos to give you a ride to work or wherever for a while. That will teach them a leccion. We don't need no stinking buses! Viva la revolucion! Patria or muerte, companeros!

Of course that could never happen. The average Maltese Joe whines and whines about how much cancer there is in this country, but does nothing about it when the opportunity comes up.

But you can't blame the people, right? You can't expect this to be as successful as an SMS boycott. There aren't any quarters of cents at stake here. It's only our health.