NEWS | Wednesday, 25 February 2009

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Alternativa Demokratika (AD) has called on the government to improve the ecological efficiency of the land and marine public transport system for Gozo.
Arnold Cassola, AD Chairperson, praised the Association of Local Councils, which during a weekend seminar held in Gozo for Gozitan councils, announced that preparations were under way for the joint signing by all the 14 Gozitan mayors of the European Local Council Agreement.
“By supporting such a holistic vision, the Gozitan mayors have made a significant step forward towards the elimination of the petty divisions which characterise local politics in these islands, especially in Gozo. The European Local Council Agreement lays strong emphasis on the reconversion of the public transport system in European cities with a view to reduce pollution and energy waste while at the same time render it more sustainable and provide a better service to the citizens.”
Victor Galea, AD secretary-general and spokesman for Gozo said that Gozo has a golden opportunity to reduce pollution caused by present public transport system and provide an excellent service that makes sense for today’s needs.
“The reform in the public transport system in Gozo should ensure that all public transport vehicles, including buses and minibuses, should be powered by hydrogen, methane gas or electrical energy to reduce air pollution which is causing so much harm to people’s health. It is a pity that bio-diesel is still not available on the island of Gozo.”
AD also recommended that government binds new tenderers for the public sea transport contract to and from Gozo to reduce to a minimum the pollution and energy consumption levels by the ships providing the service.
“Government should not once again lose the opportunity, as happened in the past, to apply for funds from the European Union through the Marco Polo Program, whose call for applications opened again on the 10 February this yea,” Cassola said.
“These funds would help the company awarded the tender to expand the transport of all merchandise from San Maison as well as from the Freeport, to Mgarr port and vice-versa, reducing substantially the pollution, transport costs, road damage and traffic jams now resulting from the overland transport of goods by huge lorries.”

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