Graham Caruana-Dingli, Toronto, Canada
Good and bad manners in Malta
During a visit to Malta in July, my travelling partner and myself were very badly mistreated by a bus driver who was extremely rude, impatient, threatening and aggressive. He was downright abusive. He unnecessarily escalated the situation and humiliated us in front of a busload of people.
I am of Maltese descent, born in Canada, and have come to Malta many times over the past 33 years. I have to say that this man's behaviour did not make me feel proud of being Maltese. I travel extensively and have never encountered this level of maltreatment anywhere else in the world.
After leaving the bus in Siġġiewi, a lovely Maltese woman who had been travelling on the same bus, approached us and said: "On behalf of all the Maltese people, I would like to apologise for how badly you were treated by the bus driver..." Her kind nature and genuine words really touched me deeply and washed away all the bad feelings we had about the experience. She really reaffirmed in me what I have always felt about the Maltese people: that they are warm, kind hearted, very welcoming and very giving people.
It's those types of experiences in life that make it all worthwhile! It was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. And I'm glad to say that she made me very proud of my Maltese roots!
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k. zammit
Sep 19th 2008, 17:13
I am ashamed for the maltese not taking more action in this matter as well as the government for not imposing stricter rules. We are a country that strives on tourism, one of these days the word will be out that tourists are treaty badly in Malta and they will stop coming.. when they stop coming there will be less need for bus drivers!
Honestly, I have visited many other countries and the manners in Malta are extremely bad and lots of arrogance.
Peter Grech
Sep 18th 2008, 21:16
Guys we really have a serious problem with taxi (white cabs), bus and minibus drivers lets face the truth. These people think they are some sort of god of the road or what ever they think. What is their problem i dont know but for sure when i drive and see a taxi, bus or minibus i always give them the way to avoid any accident. They are more aggresive on the road when they see a women driver.
Tony Morris
Sep 18th 2008, 19:07
I'd like to know when there will be a clamp down on bus drivers using their mobile phones with passengers aboard.It seems to be the norm these days and not long ago I was on a bus from Qawra when the driver had his phone stuck to his ear untill the other side of Mosta with a full load of passengers.These drivers have the lives of 40/50 people in their hands and should know or be taught better!
Liam Kelly
Sep 18th 2008, 17:05
Alfred Felice
You are spot on;
similar thing happened with a woman with two small kids; one of the nicest bus drivers (bus no. 427) took them on his bus and refused to take any money because the lady had enough trouble handeling the kids and was only going one stop. As soon as they got to the terminus the dispatcher (where are they when you need them?) leaped on the bus and went mad at the driver for not issuing a ticket.
unbelieveable
Charles Camilleri
Sep 18th 2008, 17:01
Unless drastic actions are taken against these drivers by revoking their bus driving license (if the reports are confirm) this rudeness is not going to stop. There should be no second chance. These things keep repeating because our rules are too lenient.
A Gatt
Sep 18th 2008, 16:01
@M.Mealclaff
I too make use of London buses all the time and have never felt the same fear you mention. I also say thank you each time I board off a bus, both in the UK and in Malta. Whereas I invariably get a nod of acknowledgment in the UK, I never get as much as a grunt from bus drivers in Malta. I too agree about the great atmosphere on Maltese buses (excellent for people watching), but the amount of times I have had bad experiences with Maltese bus drivers have been numerous.
Alfred Felice
Sep 18th 2008, 14:38
Like Mr. Caruana Dingli I visted Malta several times and use the bus extensively. On a number of occasions I too felt that some drivers were anything but polite with me but mostly with other passengers especially tourists. I suggest that a notice on the bus should be posted indicating where a complaint is to be sent to, asking for Bus number, date, time and nature of complaint and where complainant can be contacted. The number of complaints received are to be made public every year together with details of action taken.
Example in a few words: a 14 year old boy was not picked up as he had lost his money. Driver was advised by the boy his parent was wainting at his destination stop who would pay.
Driver was reprimanded, apology letter received from the bus AUTHORITY BOARD. Apparently there is some law which stipulates that children, seniors and sick persons cannot be refused a ride under reasonale circumstances.
I hope it does not deter tourists to visit Malta as I still consider it one of the best places to visit - in spite of the above.
s.bugeja
Sep 18th 2008, 14:36
When is someone going to sort out these excuses for human beings? Why should we normal citizens have to apologise for them? There are educated drivers but these do not make the headlines precisely because they are acting as a civilized person is supposed to
It's the bad apples who give malta a bad name. For every maltreated tourist who knows how many others decide to give malta a wide berth?
Joseph J. MELI
Sep 18th 2008, 14:15
I quite agree with Ms. M. Agius and you should have reported the matter even though are now back in Canada. If you write to the Traffic Police or the Commissioner of Police giving the date, time, the route and bus number if available, together with any witnesses, the authorities will check and take action. Such persons should be reported.
Charles Micallef
Sep 18th 2008, 12:58
What ? not another incident involving one of our bus drivers? this could not happen again in Malta? two reports in today's issue, ...................how many more such incidents are the authorities waiting for before they take some action, please let buses do the nation a favour and let them go out on strike again and again.................and again
Joseph Galea
Sep 18th 2008, 12:48
It seems M. Mealclaff's positive experience is the exception that proves the rule. It is good to know that there are some decent drivers out there. I understand that there are now a few women drivers on certain routes. I have not come across them yet but someone who has said that they are like a breath of fresh air compared to such as those described in Mr. Caruana Dingli's letter. Keep it up ladies and let's have more of the same, MTA.
The transport authority should make attendance at a Customer Service training course mandatory for all bus drivers. Those who then persist in their obnoxious and boorish behaviour should have their licenses suspended.
M.Mealclaff
Sep 18th 2008, 12:25
I often read in these columns about rude bus drivers in malta.
It seems many people mention this.
My experience has been very different...I visit Malta often, when I do, I find one of the highlights is travelling by Bus.
The buses are full of atmosphere, people seem to be talking to strangers, some buses even have music.
Compare this with a bus journey in London, where passengers never never talk to a stranger, On London busses one is always in a state of fear in case there is a fight or stabbing etc.
Regards the Malta bus drivers, they have shown me nothing but kindness, ive never encountered the problems mentioned .
I always make a point of having the right change and say please and thank you and say thanks when I depart the bus.
You are all vey lucky to have this bus experience in Malta.
People pay thousands of pounds and to places like Mexico,cuba,central america to experience this.
PAUL BUSUTTIL
Sep 18th 2008, 11:39
MAYBE NOW THE POWERS THAT BE WILL UNDERSTAND WHY THE MAJORITY OF CAR OWNERS PREFER TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES EVERYWHERE RATHER THAN USE THE BUS SERVICE.
Gerry Cowie
Sep 18th 2008, 11:28
I think what is most important here, and what the writer has really made clear, is the utter kindness and compassion of the fellow passenger who in her own way restored the status quo. Whilst the incident upset her, the actions of her fellow passenger restored her faith in the general kindness shown by the Maltese to visitors and indeed to one another.
Mr Camilleri is right that it would be a good idea to report the driver concerned - and what good would that really do? - though it may not have occurred to him that at the time of the incident this was the last thing on the writer's mind.
Maltese bus drivers are a breed apart, it might seem, and I have witnessed some poor behaviour, but on the whole they are a good bunch of people of whom the minority manage to give them all a bad name.
I for one am so scared of driving in Malta that I have to rely on buses and overall the drivers are quite good-humoured.
It might help, however, if the foreign language students using the buses would have their fares ready in advance and not keep giving notes!
Joseph Calleja
Sep 18th 2008, 11:28
I have to sympatise with you when it comes to bus drivers and taxi drivers. I just got back from a 2 week vacation in Malta and one of my first encounters was a very rude and abnoctious cab driver. The other one when we rode the bus from Valletta to Lija in 38 degree heat plus the humidity and the bus had no air condition, windows that didn't open except for the drivers window of course and the exit door. It was so hot on the bus that some elderly passengers got off at Msida because this bus was so unbearable to ride in. The driver just ignored everybody like nothing is wrong. For me this was a holiday visit but what is bad is the Maltese people that have to put up with this kind of treatment everyday. Maybe the government should make taxi drivers and bus drivers attend a mandatory class on how to treat passengers, whether they be tourists or locals...
Joe Tabone-Adami
Sep 18th 2008, 11:23
The kind lady's apology for the bus bully's behaviour did not involve her in any expense - but, nonetheless, remedied a very ugly situation. Incidentally, elsewhere in to-day's issue we have been regaled with eye-openers about bad word-of-mouth publicity by foreign visitors among us. The present contribution by Mr Caruana-Dingli will, unfortunately, do little to allay the feelings of extreme disgust such incidents arouse also among locals!
Nigel Lawrence
Sep 18th 2008, 11:15
One keeps on reading about this "terrorists" running ( or is it ruining?) the bus service. After being thus treated, do ANY of the victims take note of the bus number and take the appropriate action. Sadly, I think they do not.
E.Camilleri
Sep 18th 2008, 11:08
Was it impossible to take note of the Bus number plate and report it to the Transport Authority ? Futile raising such issues on a newspaper when its done and over with, unfortunately putting all drivers in the same basket. Shame on this driver, but it is important to name and shame and not generalise.
Maruska Agius
Sep 18th 2008, 10:55
You should have reported the bus drivers. Such guys are making a bad name for the other drivers and a really bad impression about the island in general.
Liam Kelly
Sep 18th 2008, 10:38
Don't feel that you were humiliated in any way by these bus drivers; the only people who get humiliated in these situations are the other passengers on the bus; ashamed to be Maltese when the drivers go mental like that.