Oct 30 - Government: The GSD “Jump The Gun Again”
The Government says it notes that the Opposition are ‘not happy’ with the new MAN buses. The Ministry of Transport says it wishes to address any concerns that the public may have as to the new bus fleet.
The Government has purchased a fleet of 20 midi-size MAN buses, which consist of what it describes as “an entirely modern, high quality and accessible fleet.” As explained in Parliament, the size of the fleet will increase by 2. More buses than ever, therefore, will be provided for our community. In addition, says the Government, fully accessible small size buses are currently being tested for use along the Upper Town area.
As the Opposition is also aware, according to the Government, a new Intelligent Ticketing System and Real Time Information system will be installed and rolled out. In respect of the issue relating to accessibility, the Bus Company is fully aware of this and is simply waiting for the manufacturers to include an additional step to ensure easier access for all members of the public. In addition, the new MAN buses are designed with two doors instead of one making them more user-friendly, especially for wheelchair users and parents with prams. It is important to note that the Ministry of Public Transport sought the advice of professionals to ensure the optimum quality of the buses in terms of accessibility and will ensure that this aim is achieved.
Further, the GSD “seem unduly and inexplicably traumatised” by the fact that the new and vibrant livery is predominantly red, says the Government. The livery chosen is, in the view of the Government, in keeping with the image of a dynamic city like Gibraltar and reflects Gibraltar’s national colours “of which we are all justly proud.” On a more important note, says the Government, the contrasting internal colours of the new buses were chosen because they aid those with visual impairments to find their way inside the new buses.
The Minister for Public Transport, Neil Costa, said: ‘The GSD continues to suffer from a prolonged and severe bout of sour grapes. This is unfortunate but not surprising. What is surprising is that the GSD should have issued a Press Release when they had every opportunity to question me recently on the buses on these subjects in Parliament and did not. In the view of the Government, the Bus Company has taken the right decision to increase the number of route buses on our roads whilst waiting for the improvements mentioned above to the new buses to be rolled out. If the Opposition wishes for us to have the new buses parked and the numbers on our roads reduced, then let them say so.”
