Eliminate the bus bays

An old adage states that "theory without practice is sterile". How this holds true with regards to our present predicament in relation to our buses and bus drivers.

The Malta Transport Authority came up with the brilliant idea of depriving the small car drivers of about three parking spaces for their cars, so that char-a-bancs can have a stoppage space (bus bay) for them to put down and pick up passengers. In this respect the flow of traffic would not be hindered.

But what is really happening and what the original idea meant to achieve are truly opposite matters. Alas, like the other many thousands who are compelled to use their car because the bus service is inefficient, I am truly disgusted when a bus driver fails to enter the designated bus bay.

What happens in our narrow streets, even when it is two-lane, let alone one lane, could be described minimally as chaotic. Many times I have been caught in a line of cars waiting impatiently while this egoistic bus driver fails to enter his bus bay and gives the ticket and change to every passenger. A few blasts on the horns and some typical Maltese flowery language are never amiss, although without any effect.

To rub salt into the wound, when sometimes a car owner "dares" park even for a few minutes inside this bus bay, which naturally is always free, the ever vigilant and relentless warden immediately hands him a ticket. I am not quoting a few instances when a bus driver fails to enter his bus bay, it is the majority who flout the law. This situation cannot continue forever, where the mighty prevail over the weak, and it is now up to the present administration to address this frustrating situation.

May I dare ask any local council, the Director of Information or even the Ministry of the Interior, how many tickets since last January to date, have been issued to bus drivers who fail to enter the bus bay? In my opinion local wardens should be advised to be more vigilant regarding this matter, so as to avoid the perennial frustration being endured by car drivers.

Finally, it is to be added, that if these bus bays are not serving the purpose they were detailed for, they should be eliminated and thereby gain golden parking space for the over-burdened taxpayer who is finding it more and more difficult each day with all these parking restrictions.