John Galea, Ta' l-Ibraġ
Changes in bus routes
My wife and I are holidaying in Malta and, on July 12, we decided to go to Valletta using public transport and taking route bus 64 from Ibraġ.
After waiting 25 minutes at the Valletta bus terminus for bus 64, to return home, the bus pulled up, the driver parked on the opposite side of boarding and walked away. When it was convenient to him, he came back and motioned to us to start boarding.
My wife could not pick up her leg to the first step of the bus, which was at least 20 inches off the ground, and she asked the driver to assist her. The driver abruptly said that he does not help anyone. Two foreign students, who had boarded before her, came to help her and we managed to put her on the bus.
When the bus arrived at St Julian's bus terminus to let off passengers, the driver looked back and, after seeing that six passengers remained on the bus, he told us to get off. We said that this was bus 64. However, the driver stated: "It is no longer 64 but as of now it is 62." He said we should take the next bus 64 and, therefore, all of us were forced to leave the bus. To finish our journey home at Ibraġ, we had to take a taxi, which cost us €10, as we could not wait for an hour for the next bus 64 to arrive.
When we got home, we called the police to file a complaint but were told to go to St Julian's police station to do that. The next morning, we went to the police station, as directed, and gave a detailed account of the previous day's incident, including the bus licence plate number. The police gave us the report number and advised us to call the Transport Authority to file a complaint with them as well.
The authority insisted that we should go to the office at the Valletta bus terminus to lodge our complaint, even though we informed them that we had filed a report with the police.
When we made our complaint with the Transport Authority, we were told that someone would be contacting us. However, at the time of writing, we are still waiting for this contact.
Now we understand why the public transport drivers are abusive, do as they please and keep breaking the rules.
They are not being forced to comply with the rules and regulations and, until discipline is enforced on them, they will continue to be unruly.
We are asking the authority to suspend the driver involved in this case and to refund us the €10 we paid for the taxi service.
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Michael Scicluna NFT
Jul 26th 2010, 18:19
Another bites the dust. Do we see another apology from the Hon Dr Mario Demarco, or should it be from the Hon Dr Austin Gatt, why not the Prime Minister, maybe the President can join in too. When are we going to learn.
John M. Grima
Jul 26th 2010, 16:18
In my days in Malta, bus drivers, and conductors, were mostly, school dropouts.
IS IT NOT ABOUT TIME THESE PUBLIC DRIVERS WERE EDUCATED??????????????????
Joe Zammit
Jul 26th 2010, 15:23
I hope that the new transport operator will be required to install tracking devices on all buses so that the controllers would immediately know the whereabouts of every bus, whether it is according to schedule, whether it passes through the route to takes short cuts or drops off passengers as said in this letter. In other words, constant monitoring of all drivers who may then be forthwith contacted on their VHF's.
Evarist Saliba
Jul 26th 2010, 13:51
The procedure to deal with such rude behaviour from some drivers, who are giving a bad name to all their colleagues, is grossly inadequate and favours the culprit rather than the victim.
The lackadaisical attitude of the authorities to such persistent reports, the sending of complainants from "Qaifas to Pilate" (if I may borrow a Maltese phrase) betrays a malaise that permits such rude behaviour to flourish.
Mr B J Simmons
Jul 26th 2010, 13:14
Here we go again BUT now this will be the situation EVER AFTER with the 'NEW' bus franchise!
As a regular tourist with many Maltese friends, nothing in this story comes as a surprise.
Transport Authority, Police, electricity, telephones, wardens, etc., etc. None of these seem to take responsibilty for ANYTHING.
I enjoy my visits, which run smoothly due to a great hotel and wonderful friends, but wonder how the Maltese cope with all these things 'not quite functioning properly'. It would drive me mad and knowing that nothing will change!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish Mr Galea luck with his requested refund, but would suggest that he does not hold his breath! Incidentall, If Mr Galea had waited for the next 64 and it was not terminating early, I bet he would have had to pay again!
tania dimech
Jul 26th 2010, 12:44
Could this driver be forming part of the new consortium to handle to the long awaited change in the the transport service? 'POVERI NOI' We deserve better. Mr. Austin Gatt take note, you promised us a change for the better, give the contract to responisble contractors and not to a cheapest one.
M. Zarb
Jul 26th 2010, 12:12
Unfortunately, it seems as if this type of behaviour by bus drivers is very common. I have witnessed several letters on this website, as well as countless experiences where I'm taking the last bus home, for the driver to zoom past all the bus stops, refusing to board passengers, smoke, swear, be on his phone whilst driving etc.
These people are immune to the laws of us commoners!
Charles Micallef
Jul 26th 2010, 11:58
Bus Service - now out of control !
Since some of the buses owners signed the agreement with the government to ‘cash in’ on years of providing a substandard service for the Maltese commuter, the service in general has taken an appalling turn for the worse, with some of the already dilapidated buses are now being driven on our roads in the most appalling condition, timetables being totally ignored and being rude to their fare-paying passengers has become the order of the day!
Hence I would like to ask the relevant authorities what precautions were taken at the time of the agreement to ensure that some sort of a decent service must be provided until the new operating company will take over or again was the €53m overgenerous taxpayer's money handed over unconditional!
Michael Cassar
Jul 26th 2010, 11:29
Things like these have happened in the past, happen today and will definitely happen in the future. This is Malta where everyone knows evryone!!!!! The rule of the jungle rules!!!!!!!
Saviour Sam Agius
Jul 26th 2010, 11:24
I've probably reported a million drivers in my life. Never have I been contacted back by the authority. NEVER! Reporting is practically useless and they simply let you file the report to shut you up.
It's also very intimidating that some bus drivers hang around the transport authority cabin. How can you feel comfortable filing a report against a driver right in his or his friends' presence?
Peter Murray
Jul 26th 2010, 11:02
Dear Mr.Galea,
Please don't feel isolated in your concern about to whom or how complaints are dealt with in Malta as such a concern permeates virtually every aspect of life in Malta.It is the ubquitous DSS ( DEPARTMENT OF SLOPING SHOULDERS) that kicks in whenever one wishes to lodge a complain,nor is their available or readily accessible any clear procedure for one to adopt if ones wishes to register a complaint .In any event,the end result, if any is achieved , never adequately punishes unacceptable behaviour or action.
JOHN RIZZO
Jul 26th 2010, 10:49
WE HEAR VERY OFTEN ABOUT THE BUS DRIVERS BAD ATTITUDE,BUT NEVER OF A SUSPENDED ONE FOR SUCH BEHAVIOUR.
Joseph Micallef
Jul 26th 2010, 10:31
Such drivers do not deserve anthing less than a suspension! They think that we owe them their living!