Lately, the Nationalist PartyShadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Toni Bezzina, askedJoe Mizzi,Minister for Transport and the Infrastructure,a million euro question.  In the House, the ministerrevealed that,out of our pockets,we have contributed €97million in subsidiessince 2012 to keep the public transport running.The €8 million subsidy granted to Arriva in 2012 has now rocketed to€27million this year. Roughly, so far, this year the working population contributed €141 to service the transport subsidy.

By the way,the subsidiesare made up of hard-earn tax-payers’ monies.

The subsidythe Autobuses de Leonis receiving has reached staggering, if not alarming, figures. This subsidy is daylight robbery which needs to be rectified within a reasonable timeframe.Throwing our money at an inefficient service is political dishonesty.

What strikes me in this sad situation is the fact that, notwithstanding this astronomical expenditure, society has remained silent despite that sections of the media reported in some detail the news. Others, sadly, for obvious reasons just skimmed through. To my knowledge, not even the PNhas delved into the negative multiplier effect of this hefty yearly pay-out to theAutobuses de Leon. It seems that none in our society is prepared to take the leadership role and make a commitment to put an end to these exorbitant subsidies.

I am not sure whether society is recordingthese politicalblemishes,or whether our community has completely given up that someday, somebody, will address the problem of public transport adequately.In this regard,Edward Murrow, the late Americanjournalist, television and radio pioneer whohad distinguished himself with millions of viewers and listeners, once stated: “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”  A pertinent quote which is very fitting to the current local political scenario.

I dread to think that our society is growing into a swarm of wood-boring insects that spend most of their lives as larvae, tunnelling below the surface of the timber. Hopefully I am wrong and society will wake up and take the challenge,even if it is late asthe proverbial eleventh hour.

That our society is fast becoming self-centred, egoistic and unresponsive to social injustices is not an impression. It is a fact.  If not in my backyard, then it is not my problem. Reversing this attitude is the most difficult task for any organisation or political party. Social injustices take different forms and will continue to mushroom unless people put their foot down.  Many associate injustices with the place of work, but there are other social injustices which take place elsewhere and need to be addressed. 

The squandering of millions of euro on the public transport subsidy is one of them.  This money could have been spent wisely to assist the growing number of vulnerable people in our society.

I pen a couple of social injustices in no particular order, some of which are rather fresh. The bank guarantee to the consortium entrusted to build a gas-fired power station, the Panama scandal, the bonanza prize ofmillions of euro to the selected few, the environment which is constantly under siege, alleged cases of corruption and the novel example wherein the Prime Minister hired his own car for official purposes. These are all cases of social injustices. Social injustices know of no boundaries. Only good leadership can address such injustices.

All the current talk and opinions penned about liberals, conservatives and other political theories, slogans and catchphrases which have mushroomed lately boils down to political parties turning their back on the needs of the electorate. Malta is not any different. 

Thanks to Mr Bezzina, it is now in the public arenathat public transport subsidies arecosting the taxpayers millions of euros every year, for a service which, at best, can be classified as mediocre. This extravaganza cannot be sustained year on year. A concerted effort should be staged to address public transport adequately.  Here, I share Minister Mizzi point of view:“there are no quick fixes”.Political dilly dallying and bogus panaceashave short shelf-lives so, if I may,I take this opportunity to suggest that the experts are called in. Please keep at bay the self-appointed public transport experts, of which we have had too many dim-witted ones.

It would be a pity if what Mr Bezzina uncovered in the House is not taken up to fire hearts,minds and souls to bring back proper social justice on the national agenda.

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