In a statement, the MLP said that the transport sector was a significant contributor to the Maltese economy, considering that it employs 7,000 people. On the other hand, this sector is often accused of causing environmental damage.

There is therefore a need for a policy that encourages less environmental degradation, but at the same time, operators should have decent wages for the services they offer. The measures taken by the government are a move in the opposite direction, the MLP said.

The first problem was created by the Malta Transport Authority which did not want to issue licences for motorcycles with a low horse-power. These bikes are considered to be environmentally friendly and in other countries it is not considered necessary to licence them.

A few weeks ago, there was a hefty increase in the cost of insurance, with insurance companies insisting they were doing this to cover passengers. What is strange is that even bikes which cannot carry a pillion passenger have had their premia increased substantially.

The MLP said that this measure will make it harder for one to decide between buying a car or a motorcycle. It is a fact that bikes take up less space and create fewer environment problems. It was therefore expected that the use of bikes would have been encouraged, not otherwise. The increase in the price of fuel was eating into the profits made by transport operators, the MLP said.