Transport Malta tight-lipped on enforcement plans for white taxis and coaches

Transport Malta has offered no clarity on whether white taxis and coach services will be subject to the same enforcement standards as app-based cab operators, nor on the data collection tools and software systems in use.

Last week it was reported that Transport Malta is gathering daily data from the country’s three main cab operators – Bolt, eCabs and Uber – in a bid to clamp down on drivers exceeding legally permitted working hours.

While cab operators have systems in place to limit how long drivers remain active on their respective platforms, concerns have grown that some drivers are bypassing these safeguards – signing off one app after reaching the limit, only to log into another and continue working.

This raised safety concerns, as excessive driving hours could lead to fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents and endangering both drivers and passengers. Transport Malta subsequently began collecting this information to help shape new legislation aimed at closing the loophole.

However, it remains unclear whether any system is in place to monitor the working hours of white taxi and coach drivers, or if data is being collected in these sectors at all.

As of now, there is no indication that such a system exists, or that one is being planned – despite the potential safety risks associated with coach services, where the lives of approximately 53 passengers could be at stake.

At the same time, the specifics of the software systems and data collection methods used for ride-hailing operators remain vague – including whether drivers are identified via unique IDs and whether enforcement will target individual drivers or be channelled through the platforms and fleet owners.

BusinessNow.mt reached out to Transport Malta and also asked why the data collection and centralisation is only being implemented now, rather than when gig-based transport services first launched several years ago.

These questions, sent out to Transport Malta last week, remain unanswered.

Industry reactions

In light of the recent data collection efforts, industry sources have broadly welcomed the initiative as a step toward improving passenger safety and reducing road risks.

However, in comments to BusinessNow.mt, they cautioned that when combined with last year’s policy of restricting permits for third-country nationals, the measure could contribute to a slowdown in the taxi market.

With fewer new permits being issued and stricter limits on existing drivers’ working hours, supply is expected to tighten while demand remains steady – a situation that could drive up prices and ultimately affect consumers.

Still, industry professionals have expressed support for the initiative, noting that “safety trumps driver supply.”