Overcharging common on the buses

Why do so many Maltese bus drivers think that the pockets of tourists are fair game?

Twice in one day I have been conned by two different bus drivers using the same trick of giving too little change. It's not difficult maths; two tickets cost 94 cents which means that giving a €1 coin should result in six cents change not three cents. I challenged the second driver and he just grunted and gave me the right change, no apology offered.

As luck would have it an inspector got on the bus and I confronted him. His polite response was that they only make sure the passengers have paid, not check on the driver, and we should report it at the Valletta terminus. I have tried that once before and was just told to tell the bus driver "not us". Also it is not always small amounts of money. I was once short changed by 80c.

We have been in Malta for two months now using the buses daily. The worst bus route for overcharging is without doubt the St Julians - Sliema - Valletta route where the highest percentage of new tourists are and the largest fleet of buses, so it's easier for the drivers to rip off the tourists.

So what is the Public Transport Association planning to do about this problem, bury their heads in the sand? Don't just think it's a handful of drivers. I estimate 20 per cent overcharge me. These are not genuine mistakes...it's funny that I have never been given too much change!

A solution that might be considered is ensuring notices are placed prominently in all buses to remind people to check they have the right change. What about sanctioning inspectors to check on the drivers not just the passengers? What about sacking or suspending a few drivers caught to set an example - after all theft is gross misconduct. What about issuing all drivers with a strongly worded memo on the subject? What about giving them all a copy of this letter and posting it on their notice board. What about quickly working towards cashless buses, where we all have to buy prepaid passes that get swiped on entry and we top up as required?

It is a minority of drivers who overcharge but they are every day in effect stealing money off the customers.

And the sad thing is that this affects the reputation of all drivers.

In addition, they are not only giving a bad impression of public transport in Malta but leaving a sour taste in the mouths of thousands and thousands of tourists who choose to holiday in Malta. It is without doubt damaging the tourism industry and I challenge the Public Transport Association to sort it out once and for all.