Minister optimistic on public transport reform, first changes in May

Within 45 days, the first changes in the public transport system will be implemented, transport minister Joe Mizzi said.

Speaking during a meeting with General Workers Union (GWU) officials, Mizzi denied that the new Labour administration was looking at cancelling the 10-year agreement with the service providers, Arriva.

The GWU represents the majority of Arriva employees and was involved in protracted negotiations with the company in regards to a new collective agreement which was signed late last year. In the process, a number of Arriva employees formed their own union, however the GWU still represents the majority of workers.

Describing it as his biggest headache, Mizzi voiced his optimism that with all stakeholders on board, the necessary changes will be carried out without creating a complete upheaval. "I am pretty confident that with all three fronts involved, the provider, the workers and public transport users working together the service can be improved."

He added that within 45 days the first changes would be carried out, with minor modifications to routes taking priority. Mizzi pointed out that larger reforms will be carried out at a later stage. In its electoral manifesto, Labour had lamented that the controversial public transport reform carried out by previous transport minister Austin Gatt, had disappointed expectations.

Labour committed itself to start "intensive discussions" with Arriva" with the aim of reaching an agreement on how to improve routes. The party also committed itself to remove bendy buses from routes where these are deemed to create congestion.

On his part, GWU secretary-general Tony Zarb expressed the union's concern at the number of fatal accidents and health and safety issues on construction sites.

Presenting the transport and infrastructure minister with the union's proposals on government tenders and contracts, Zarb stressed the need to eradicate precarious jobs.

"Contractors who employ workers on precarious conditions should be blacklisted," Zarb insisted, while pointing out the previous administration's unwillingness to tackle the problem.

Insisting that the government was committed to implement its electoral manifesto, Mizzi explained that health and safety issues were among the first things his ministry prioritised since election day.

A health and safety unit within the ministry which was dormant, has been deployed and was taking an active part in a number of projects, including the controversial Cottonera project.