Look, no hands! A daring bus ride from the beach

Despite my affection for the old buses, I have little respect for many of the drivers. On a recent visit to the island their attempts to short change me seem to have increased.

Despite many Maltese not collecting the 3c change, I do wonder what would happen if I offered 44c for a 47c fare! I think I know the answer to that! I found that the muttering, in Maltese, that I often received, while waiting for my 3c, rather offensive.

On a 645 journey from Sliema to the Ferry Terminal on February 14, the driver grumbled when I requested the due change for a day ticket I had purchased, as it had not been offered. During the journey one phone call was made after he had stopped at a shop to buy a phone card! One or more text messages were then sent and received. A friend was then picked up and stood by the driver talking for most of the journey. He did not pay, of course. The driver also played loud music and then increased the volume when the station started a long diatribe in Maltese.

On the same day a journey on a 652 leaving Golden Bay at 3.35 p.m. was truly appalling. On arrival, the young driver was on his mobile phone.

The call continued while unloading and loading passengers and for four or five minutes into the return journey, along all those narrow country lanes. Two further phone calls were made or taken. The journey must have been completed in record time as the very fast driving – on a bus in need of some mechanical repairs – was extremely bad and quite dangerous, especially along the coast road which is known for its madcap drivers.

At one point I noticed the driver “hold” the steering wheel with his leg or knee while changing gear as he was talking on his phone.

When I left the bus at Sliema I expressed my opinion of his driving skills, or rather lack of them. He seemed to take little notice as he was on the phone again!

Now I appreciate that there are some good and courteous drivers out there and I met some of those too.

On one occasion I was given an excellent service on a 627 that turned into a 427 from Marsa­xlokk to Buġibba.

The driver, who was feeling a little under the weather, was extremely helpful and pleasant. It makes all the difference when you feel that the driver actually wants you aboard his bus, rather than looking on passengers as an inconvenience!

I think that Arriva have a huge task ahead and I doubt that even they will be able to get through to some of the less acceptable drivers. Time will tell. I wish them and the Maltese people good luck in the changeover.

Overall I can see some great improvements to Malta and I wish Malta well and hopefully I will be back next winter.