S.L. 499.56 Art. 68BProvision of public passengertransport services.

(1) Only an operator who has been awarded a contract for the operation of public passenger transport services by the

Authority in terms of the Act and in terms of Regulation (EC)

1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23

October 2007 on Public Passenger Transport Services by Rail and by Road may, during the period in which such contract is in force, provide public passenger transport services: Provided that the Authority may, in the case of a disruption of public passenger transport services or the immediate risk of such a situation or in the case where the President of Malta issues a proclamation in terms of the Emergency Powers Act authorize third parties to provide public passenger transport services:

Provided further that the provision of regular passenger services on sightseeing passenger transport routes shall not be considered as public passenger transport services for the purpose of these regulations.

(2) In the event of a stoppage or of a suspension for any cause whatsoever of any service on any established public passenger transport route or in any other part of Malta usually served with motor route buses which may affect, or be likely to affect the reasonable requirements of the inhabitants of Malta for transport, the Authority may seize and take possession of and use, any vehicle and for such purpose may authorize any Police officer to enter any garage, stable or other premises.

(3) The owner of any such vehicle shall receive such compensation in respect of the use thereof as the Authority may, previously or subsequently, fix.

(4) An appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction) from any decision taken by the Authority under sub-regulations (1) and (2). Such appeal shall be entered by an application within four days from the date on which the decision is given. The application shall be served to the Authority which shall file an answer thereto within four days. The pleadings on any such appeal shall be deemed to be closed with the reply of the Authority, or at the expiration of the time for such reply. The fees payable for the filing of judicial acts shall be thirty-four euro and ninety-four cents (€34.94).

(5) Any person who shall obstruct or hinder any Police officer from taking possession of any vehicle, or shall in any way interfere with or incite others to interfere with the use of any vehicle requisitioned under the provisions of this regulation, shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) If any person shall, by reason of any requisition in terms of this regulation, be prevented from fulfilling any contract, such person shall not be deemed to have thereby committed a breach of contract, but such contract shall be suspended by such requisition so far as its fulfillment is thereby rendered impossible.