Dismal bus service

Now that summer has arrived, I would have expected the Malta Transport Authority to take concrete measures against the various shortcomings in the bus service, especially since the population of bus users increases due to the influx of tourists.

With regard to the Sliema area, one only need pass by the various bus stops along the seafront from Exiles to the Strand to notice the level of service being offered. At various times of the day, bus stops are overcrowded with residents and tourists alike.

Yet apparently nothing effective is being done to improve the situation. Another year has passed without the re-introduction of Bus 61 in the Strand. Besides, for some reason, buses such as 62, 64, 67 and 68 do not pass at regular intervals, and when they finally arrive, they are often full up.

Can Malta afford to have such a dismal bus service when the country has so many problems regarding the amount of private cars, pollution, parking problems, traffic gridlock and the like? With such a service, can one honestly expect an increase in patronage? And do we expect tourists to give us any marks?