Elizabeth Hair, Fgura
The bus that drove on
I'd like to bring to the attention of the transport authority the driver of bus No. 19 from Valletta to Fgura last Monday evening.
On this occasion, and on a previous one a few weeks ago, this driver left Valletta and did not stop for anyone until he reached Fgura.
On both occasions, despite people waving for him to stop at four stages, he just drove past. Sometimes he pulled in as if to stop but once people waiting moved towards the bus he simply pulled away leaving them calling in vain for him to stop.
I've witnessed it twice so probably he operates like this regularly. The authorities need to let him know how a bus actually functions; that when people at bus stops wave for him to stop, he is actually meant to do so!
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Franco Farrugia
Oct 13th 2009, 16:45
@ Mr Guntrip: But you see, sir, ... where are the authorities in this matter? I will tell you where they are: disciplining the small fry, those who are littering the streets (which shouldn't be happening either, but!).
Timothy Guntrip
Oct 12th 2009, 21:22
@ Franco Farrugia
I also witnessed this race to MIA on my way home at about the time you mention! It would seem that speed cameras are not being installed in the places where they are so dearly needed.
David Martinelli
Oct 12th 2009, 15:55
Yes I recall a similar incident with the route #19 bus with a driver on August 8th @ around 17:30, if the ATP would care to look back at any records to show who was driving that day. I was on my way to Marsascala when I asked the driver if this was the bus to Marsascala and he replied in a rather grough tone "NO" and walked off without advising me which route I needed to take. In fact, this driver proceeded to chum it up with a few friends before boarding the bus. I then proceeded to get a copy of the Malta Bus Routes route guide which I was able to get and looked it up myself. Indeed it was the same bus with the same driver who had earlier replied in a rough stern voice "NO." This person should not be driving a bus, as his people skills were lacking badly, as well as his laissez-faire attitude. I agree with the writer that some form of discipline should be waged against the driver, even if it means his dismissal !!
Alastair Farrugia
Oct 12th 2009, 12:40
A number of times in the evening, I tried to catch a bus near the Marsa Sports Club, opposite the open centre, and there were often buses that just drove past (even though they had some passengers, and were not full up). There was even one of the new buses which put a homophobic message on its display and drove past slowly.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 12th 2009, 11:07
Dear Ms Hair - This is the tip of the iceberg. These are the 'kings of the road', as they have written on some buses.
Another matter, close to this one: yesterday, between 20.10 and 20.25, to be exact - so that if authorities want to take action, they can - a stream of white taxis, nearly 6 or 7 in all, nearly threw the rest of the cars out of their way as they simply RACED their way to MIA, probably competing with each other which one would reach the place first. We were driving through Aldo Moro Avenue. Now, that's a place that deserves a speed cam.
Will the authorities take action? Or will the authorities continue to look the other way and just discipline the small fry? When will this country rise to the level of other EU countries?
Mark Seychell
Oct 12th 2009, 09:33
The trouble is that this is not a rare occurrence. Once I saw a driver throw a black man off his bus for simply being coloured. Also where I live, in Manikata, sometimes the bus doesn't even pass from there, even in the times it is meant to do so. Drivers disgustingly flirting with teenage girls isn't a rare occurrence either. Drivers swearing/spitting out of the window is basically the norm these days. Thank God the tender is soon going to be issued. I just hope that the same arrogant drivers, these 'cowboys' of the Maltese roads won't be the same guys running the show for the new company. Might I add that there are some drivers who are perfectly decent and also extremely helpful. But unfortunately these are in the minority, overwhelmed by the majority who drag their name through the gutter.