The traffic chaos caused by yesterday’s downpours has not shaken Arriva Malta’s commitment that the buses will run on time once it takes over the public transport service in July.
“A number of additional buses will be in service at peak periods to maintain the capacity requirements and the regularity of the service,” Arriva Malta managing director Keith Bastow told the press yesterday.
Furthermore, a number of spare vehicles and crews would be on hand in case of need and any problems that may arise would be tackled by, for example, creating diversions around flooded areas. In fact, some 28 of the modern buses now in service have been bought by Arriva and will be renovated for use in peak periods and as back-up vehicles.
However, the company’s directors did raise an eyebrow about the flooding caused by yesterday’s rain. “Jokingly, this morning we were wondering whether we should be running water taxis rather than buses,” Mr Bastow said.
One of the new nine-metre long King Long buses was on display and members of the press were taken for a short ride in it around Ta’ Qali.
The new buses will sport green seats and grey flooring, will be air-conditioned, be accessible for the disabled and have real-time display showing estimated time of arrival at the next stop.
Real-time display will also be available on the main bus stops and through mobile phones some time after the new public transport system is launched.
Each bus will show the route number and a band of different colour running along the side according to the route. A short description of the route will also be displayed on the outside of the bus.
About 125 buses 12 metres long and 49 nine-metre long ones have been ordered from the Chinese maker King Long to form the Malta fleet.
The vehicles would include minibuses, articulated vehicles and hybrid buses, the latter to be used in sensitive historical areas to minimise the impact on the environment, Mr Bastow said.
The network will be completely new, with key nodal points located around the island, moving the focus away from Valletta.
Ticket prices will not be based on the number of zones included in the journey but on time: two-hour, one-day and one-week tickets. Each may be used on multiple routes.
The company wanted to change the local practice of most tickets being bought on board the bus, Mr Bastow said, as this would deter buses from arriving on time.
On the controversial issue of higher bus tariffs for foreigners, Mr Bastow said the company maintained the standard fare was that of the non-residents and the government had decided to subsidise the fare for taxpayers.
The company’s recruitment drive has seen about 2,500 people apply for the 920 available jobs, 700 of which were for bus drivers.
Nine Maltese driving instructors had already been recruited, including a lady, he added. Seven driver trainers from the UK will be coming to Malta to train the local instructors and all drivers will be retrained.