The math continues not to add up with regards to the public transport reform and the EUR55m pay-out which government has pledged to bus owners together with the 10-year job guarantee to drivers.

It has now transpired that 125 low-floor buses, which were bought back by government in the deal concluded last week, will be sold at EUR13,000 each to the new company which will eventually be selected to operate a public transport system.

Apart from the fact that the country has been presented with a fait accompli which does not necessarily justify the added expenditure, each of these buses would have cost the state a considerable amount of money before even the new operator has started operating. Besides, government has also committed itself to refurbish all 125 buses in the UK and pay for all costs. Worst of all, though, is the fact that these buses will have to stop operating after three years of service due to their elevated pollution levels.

On the one hand, it does not make financial sense shipping all buses to the UK and back when there are coach builders in Malta who might be capable, and willing, to carry out the required alterations themselves. On the other hand, it makes even less sense investing money in upgrading the current low-floor coaches for merely three years of usage.

Unless government explains its reasoning, and on the basis of the millions of euros being spent which approach seems to give the impression that money is not a problem to achieve the ultimate aim of installing a reformed public transport system, it would be safe to conclude that investing in brand new buses which conform to more stringent pollution standards would be a more viable and longer-term option.

From an environmental point of view, refurbishing the current low-floor buses and eventually upgrading to lower emission vehicles will not achieve a better quality of life for citizens who often complain about the high quantity of exhaust fumes emitted by heavy vehicles. The current trend in other European countries is to invest in public transport vehicles which operate on LPG and thus drastically reduce emission levels. The authorities are still in time to revert their decision on refurbishing part of the existing fleet and it is a matter of willingness to take the bull by the horns and invest upfront in more environmentally-friendly vehicles.



Ministerial chess

Some sort of cabinet reshuffle is now imminent as indications emanating from the party in government indicate that a very subtle game is being played. The resignation of Minister Dalli to become a European Commissioner is expected within the next few days and in the process he will leave an experience void in Cabinet as well as a vacant seat for a Member of Parliament.

The Speaker of the House, Dr Louis Galea, was a potential candidate to fill the post which will eventually be vacated by Minister Dalli and has the necessary experience at ministerial level. However, he too will be sent abroad and has been nominated to take Malta’s seat at the EU Court of Auditors. In a way, this move could have saved a potential awkward situation for Dr Galea becoming a backbencher. Moreover, his short tenure as speaker of the House has been positively received overall and he seems to be relishing this prestigious role.

Had Dr Galea been allowed to become a member of parliament and appointed minister, the Prime Minister would have potentially incurred the wrath of the current backbench members, most of whom were elected outright and others who in the previous legislation occupied the role of minister and were relegated.

As has indeed confirmed over and over again during this short legislature, backbenchers are disgruntled for their lack of involvement in ministerial affairs. Contrary to the past, backbenchers are becoming more audacious in making their concerns known publicly. There are various lines of thought on whether or not the PN has lost control over its own members of parliament and most of these theories could very well be valid even though contradictory to each other.

Irrespective of the reasons which motivate each backbencher, the country requires this audacity to keep the party in government from resting on its laurels. The subtle manoeuvring is expected to continue in the coming days. The Prime Minister had assured that there will be continuity with little or no change. One appointment which can be expected is that Dr Mario de Marco is elevated to the rank of minister following the responsibilities which have been added to his portfolio. Apart from being responsible for tourism, Dr de Marco has been tasked with leading the MEPA reform. It is only a matter of time until a clearer picture will emerge to indicate whether the Prime Minister is after a relatively younger cabinet of ministers.

It is a matter of time before we know who will fill the seat vacated by Minister Dalli and unexpected surprises could very well be in store.