The bus to hospital from Marsascala

I refer to Marvic Attard Gialanzè’s pointed comments on the bus schedule between Marsascala and Mater Dei Hospital (October 20). Our ex-mayor is right and did right to complain.

However, she was in my seat for a number of years and I am sure she knows how difficult it is to obtain what you demand for our residents from the competent authorities. You have to go on and on pressing in the hope that some day authorities such as Transport Malta realise that Marsascala commuters have to face hardships and unneccessary time wastage when they are obliged to visit the hospital. However, one has to admit that, after continous pressure from the local council, there are now three bus services in the morning. We know that this is not enough and that is why we continued to demand more.

The Transport Malta replies centred on the fact that there are not enough commuters to make more services financially viable and that once there are more services from nearby Żabbar, commuters can travel to this village and then take the bus to Mater Dei. We suggested that more direct services be introduced from Marsascala via Żabbar, which travellers would not be allowed to use as stopovers at Żabbar while residents of Żabbar can use these services to the hospital. However, Transport Malta is insisting that once a totally new system is to be introduced shortly, bus schedules are not being redirected.

Finally, I cannot but thank Ms Attard Gialanzè for her interest in the problems of our locality and its residents. Knowing how committed and dedicated she was to the good of Marsascala, I hope she decides to give a helping hand to our council. All of us would welcome her expertise and total commitment to the locality.