Online poll shows scepticism over buses accord

Over 82 per cent of respondents to a survey on The Times website do not believe that the latest agreement signed between bus owners and the Malta Transport Authority will translate into a better service.

Nearly half of respondents, or 47.92 per cent, said the agreement will "definitely not" lead to an improve service; 34.74 per cent said it would not; 13.12 per cent said it "probably" would and 4.22 per cent said it would.

One of the respondents commented he could sort out the service in a month as long as the owners and drivers agreed to be flexible.

Another asked why the subsidised public transport vehicles were doing private work when there were more than enough coaches for this.

One respondent said that public transport was the only sector in Malta which had not improved, either in terms of the service provided or in customer relations. Another said that only liberalisation would reap benefits.

"We do not necessarily have room for another bus company but then why can't private companies operate their own specialised routes, such as the vintage buses or sea connections in the ports or beyond, without protests by the bus owners that they will lose business?

"Even a simple idea like a cable car and lift to Valletta did not go down well. As long as the government continues to protect their monopoly, they will have no incentive to improve."

An undergraduate said there was still no direct bus service from the Cirkewwa ferry terminal to the university.

An optimistic respondent suggested it was about time one started looking at things positively. "Let's start hoping for the best... These are times of change and great challenges for our country."

Another criticised the survey, saying: "Your questions are loaded and skewed to a negative reply".