Standards on Park and Ride minibuses

Julian Zarb, in his letter Park and Ride Transport In Need Of Review (October 30) stated that the Park and Ride transport service "leaves a lot to be desired". If this service is so far from being acceptable, then what is acceptable? Will any sort of transport reform stop people like Mr Zarb from complaining?

He starts by linking the "elephants into a Mini" joke to the Park and Ride minibuses. Why would the security officer (not the driver) squeeze in as many people as possible when all the passengers ride for free?

Mr Zarb describes the minibuses used as "modified goods vans". The Minibus Coop has strict rules regarding the Park and Ride system and only allows vehicles not older than 10 years to operate. All the 51 vehicles in operation are factory-made minibuses and none have been modified in any way. I apologise on behalf of Mercedes, Ford, LDV, Fiat and Toyota for not making minibuses to a high enough standard to satisfy Mr Zarb and will advise them to invite him to their factories to teach them how minibuses should be manufactured. These minibuses have passed European safety and quality checks and travel on motorways for several hours but aren't good enough for a five-minute journey in Malta. All 51 vehicles are air-conditioned, equipped with seatbelts, head-supports on all seats, a factory-built side-loading door and separate emergency exits. Mr Zarb claims that these minibuses were not designed for "such passenger cargo". So what were they made for ...sheep?

All the minibuses run on diesel fuel and some with the addition of bio-diesel. Regarding emissions, all of them are Euro-approved and are classified as Euro 2,3 and 4. All minibuses that are changed to newer vehicles are eligible to participate in the Park and Ride so the above numbers vary, thus adding to the Euro 4 category. Battery-operated minibuses need to recharge their batteries via our oil-run power-station which is neither cheap nor environmentally friendly. The lifetime of a battery is limited and very expensive to dispose of and replace.

Regarding people with disabilities, the Minibus Coop has special vehicles which can and have been used for Park and Ride, at any time on request.

Mr Zarb complains about the "ear splitting" music he endured during his five-minute journey. Unless the music was an orchestra of dentist drills with nails scratching blackboards, I'm sure the human ear can endure any sort of music for five minutes. Perhaps the driver should ask each passenger what sort of music they'd prefer before entering or settle for some whale songs and pipe music.

Mr Zarb implied that the seatbelt legislation is not being implemented. Does Mr Zarb expect the driver to get up and check that all the passengers are buckled up or should a traffic warden fine any passengers not wearing a seatbelt in case of a fatal accident when travelling at 10mph in a car park for five minutes?

Mr Zarb says that we should make a clear distinction between "minivans" and "minibuses" and I assume he was implying that he had ridden on the first. The word "minivan" is a common word misused by people on this island because the word "minibus" is used by everyone else. So let us set the record straight once and for all. A minibus is a small bus with nine or more seats and windows on the sides. A minivan is a hatchback car without a rear seat and rear side windows. How Mr Zarb and 13 other passengers might have been fitted into a minivan I've yet to find out.

Most of Mr Zarb's information is incorrect and unfounded and Coop Services Ltd reserves the right to take further legal action with regards to these allegations.