The old aircraft apron at the former RAF airfield at Ta Qali on 28th March 2009 saw the first

                ever commercial truck and bus gathering in Malta.  It was the culmination of hope and effort

                after 3 years and two aborted attempts with minimal resources and a small band of volunteers.

                The significant turn out of 116 trucks and buses firmly established the need for such an event

                and it will prove to be an important milestone as it will now be held every year as long as I can

                manage it.                                                                                                                                                    

                Having retired to Malta in 2005 my interest in trucks and buses was re-lit by the abundance of

                old British commercial vehicles many of which had been discarded by their original UK owners

                after 10 or 15 years as largely spent vehicles.  Since then the ingenuity of Maltese engineers with

                their motto of  'make it fit - make it work' has led many of these vehicles to have a working life of

                another 30 years or more all be it in a hybrid fashion.  Trucks like the Ergo cabbed AEC's and Leylands

                of the 1960's and 70's are still out there contributing to Malta's economy.  Unfortunately, in the wake

                of Malta's EU membership, their demise will occur with the introduction of all rules and regulations

                that tend to funnel out of Brussels on a monotonous basis often as not failing to take into account

                specific country circumstances.

                As a boy I was interested in London Transport buses but that disappeared in my late teenage years.

                However, what goes around comes around and Malta's rich heritage of old buses brought me back as it also  

                continues to inspire interest from the least likely quarters. Buses and coaches formerly owned by operators

                across the UK include a wide range of chassis' from pre war days with their highly traditional bodies  

                by a multitude of Maltese coachbuilders again long since gone remain in service today.  No two are identical   

                and provide a legacy to Malta's rich transport heritage.   The need for progress and an integrated transport

                for Malta will again put these unique vehicles in danger of meeting the compactor in the near future unless

                the current Government attitudes change.

                Throw in the contingent of former military and emergency service vehicles along with the wide range of vans

                and pick ups of all ages and the scene is set to provide a vast pool of potential participants to the next

                commercial truck and bus rally.  Enjoy this website and I look forward to your attendance or indeed

                participation in next years rally.

                Peter Skerry

                Organiser

                Mellieha  

                December  2009

                Last update 16th July 2010