Adrian Bajada, Sliema
Should we ask for our change?
I felt rather confused on reading B.J. Simmons' letter (The Sunday Times, October 12). Bus fares are normally 47c ; fares are higher on direct bus routes. He stated that we shouldn't expect the bus driver to guess our route. We do not have to tell the driver what our destination is as in the past.
The standard fare is 47c. However, some drivers seem reluctant to give change and, often, if you ask for it, you get a dirty look or he will tell you he has no change.
It happened to us recently when we travelled to Mġarr. On arriving at the Mġarr terminal we took the bus to Victoria and another bus to Marsalforn.
That was four fares going and four fares return, and not once were we given change from €1. I realise it was only a 24c loss but we were short-changed.
Nothing is being done about this abuse. You cannot complain to the inspector if you see one as he might be a friend or relative of the driver.
As in other countries, we should have bus passes. Does Mr Simmons ask for his change in England? Does he get on a bus with the driver using a mobile phone and arguing with the person he is calling? Do the drivers in England start the engine before the last passenger is on the bus?
There is a lot to be done to educate the bus drivers. In some cases, passengers' safety certainly does not seem to be a consideration when giving them the licence to drive our buses.
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M. Zarb
Oct 20th 2008, 00:42
I Galea
I assure you I am not well off, and I'm only suggesting a reform. Over here, a typical 10-minute journey costs £1.20 - Malta buses are incredibly cheap when compared to this. Might I suggest the option to get 'day return' tickets for 70c and weekly, multi-journey or monthly passes for further reduced fares?
l Galea
Oct 19th 2008, 17:29
M. Zarb
When you are here give them more if you like, but stop making suggestions to raise the fare.
Others are not so well off like you and while you may use the buses when you are just visiting, the people have to use them every day.
Mr B J Simmons
Oct 19th 2008, 13:13
I refer to Mr Bajada's letter which refers to mine of 12 Oct.
Perhaps I was unfair about the communication with bus drivers, or lack of it. In the UK I always greet the driver and try to give the correct change. If I cannot, the driver will happily provide it. He will also happily speak to me. The London system where drivers to not take cash is a pain for visitors and tourists to this great City. This is deter criminals.
I do not use a mobile phone in the style you mention, but believe it is most discourteous so to do, but I have seen it done. The driver will also make sure all are safely boarded before he drives away, especially the elderly who, in the UK, can travel free on route buses for most of the day.
Here, drivers are poorly paid for the unsocial hours that they work, but they are clean, polite, courteous and caring. One day your bus service could be like this, but as Mr Gretch says, your buses are cheap and it may be said that you get what you pay for. On the other hand courtesy costs nothing!
M. Zarb
Oct 19th 2008, 13:01
Two things:
1) I cannot comment on the situation down in England, but here in Scotland you're responsible for how much money you give your driver - they do not handle money themselves, therefore have a "no change" policy, whether you give them a £10 note or the exact fare of £1.20.
2) I don't understand why the fare has been capped at 47c. I mean - yes, LM0.20 does translate to 47c, but will Malta react THAT negatively if it is raised ro 50c? Whenever I visit the island, getting the bus is a constant headache as most of the time, I have to keep on looking for small change, rather than just handing over one coin.
Josef Grech
Oct 19th 2008, 10:40
Dear Mr. Bajada,
In order to get a faster and a more efficient public transport, we must all contribute and not just the driver. You seem informed about what is going on in Uk in order to create a more efficient system and attain the modal shift the Authorities talk about! What you are not aware of is that in this Country, we don’t have a pro public transport policy which will eventually help in improving the system. In the Uk, Mr. Simmons would not need to ask for his change, because lot of services provided abide by a no change given policy, thus it’s the commuter’s responsibility to put in the exact fare as the driver does not handle any money! This is one policy that would help improving the efficiency and certainly would see more relaxed drivers. What we did in Malta is the exact opposite!! When the Euro was introduced the Government did not want operators to round up as that would reflect on the Cost of Living!! It would have been better for us to round down as that would mean less time on bus stops etc. etc. But then again aren’t we dirt cheap already?!