The Maltese Competition Authority condemns the transport regulator’s unfairly discriminatory treatment against open-top buses operator (Spiteri - Garden of Eden / Malta Transport Authority)

Garden of Eden is a Maltese commercial undertaking operating in the public and private transport markets in Malta. It was originally owned and operated by Mr. Angelo Spiteri. Following the latter's death, applicants inherited this business concern and continued in its operation. In 1993, Angelo Spiteri had invested in, and imported into Malta, three open-top double deck buses, which he intended to operate in the private transport and tourist markets in Malta. This new service had been specifically listed in Policy PTR 12 of the 1990 Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands [1]. By letter dated 27th April 1993, the Malta Transport Authority (hereinafter referred to as ‘MTA') had formally authorised Angelo Spiteri to import into Malta, and operate locally, these three buses. On their