Malta buses

I refer to Brian Arthur Smalley's letter (October 23) expressing regret at the change of Malta's old buses with new ones. May I bring to his attention the fact that having to use public transport on a daily basis I do not find it very exciting to arrive late for lectures or work because the bus is rarely on time. Neither is it pleasant to be treated in such an impolite manner by many bus drivers, or not being given the correct change.

I find it unfortunate that he seems to associate Malta's character with our buses... does this mean that he sees Malta as a very backward country which has made no progress since the time those buses were introduced on our roads? If the change of buses will have "a devastating effect upon the tourist trade" as Mr Smalley predicts, then should we live in huts and use carts as a means of transportation so as to give tourists a feeling of being in a more authentic country where things haven't changed since the beginning of time?

It is a shame that new and safer buses have to be introduced because the authorities have been forced to do so as most of the present ones are below European standards.

The "character buses" might be pleasant to look at but not safe to use. They are dangerous for passengers compelled to make use of them and harmful to the environment. In addition, Europe never had and does not have the intention of changing Malta's culture. For those who admire Maltese buses may I suggest to the authorities to place a few of them in a vintage car museum where they rightfully belong.