Jean Gove’, Birkirkara
Bus service death throes
The public transport service in Malta was never particularly efficient, but it seems to have been worsening by the day over the last few months.
Commuters in central areas, such as Sliema, Birkirkara and Msida, have frequently had to wait over 45 minutes for a bus to arrive.
It is usually the case that when a bus does deign to move towards its destination, it fills up quickly from the first crowded bus stops and therefore passes by several other crowded ones without picking up any more commuters, increasing their waiting time and corresponding frustration.
Twice, a bus driver leaned from his window shouting a comment about how much longer we’ll have to wait when the Arriva service is in place (“U, kemm fadlilkom x’tistennew iktar la jidħlu l-oħrajn!”), which is symptomatic of comments bus drivers typically make about the new Arriva service, which one shrugs off as attempts at scaremongering rather than promises of sabotage.
One assumes that the ever-increasing waiting time is due to our dear bus drivers taking the last few months of their “public” monopoly easily, at best, or committing their last acts of vengeance on their oft-disdained customers, at worst.
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Mr C Cassar
Jun 24th 2011, 17:11
They will when the new bus system starts on 3rd July.
Lee Roberts
Jun 24th 2011, 12:41
sad to read the comments of the bus routes and the company,this will lose MALTA alot of holiday makers im sure.the drivers were always a bit stern,when people dont have the right change but that will soon become easy for them, you wont have any once youve paid in notes.
i love malta and its people hope the problems get better for you soon.
Mr C Cassar
Jun 24th 2011, 17:11
If you are worried about an extra €30 over the period of one holiday, assuming a minimum of a week then I'm sure Malta isn't worried with the decision you have taken.
Bus prices are seriously more expensive in every other European city especially the UK, so what do you do there, never use the bus, drive a car? Why should bus prices be 'siginificantly' less than in the UK with regards the new system? They are brand new buses with air conditioning (many in the UK don't even have this).
So, you'll spend your €30 anyway on a meal so Malta still gets your money anyway.
Richard siddall
Jun 24th 2011, 12:07
As a relativley new visitor to malta,our 4th year this time,we are very dissapointed with the future bus routes.we have previously stayed in sliema,last year qwara,and found the buses very good to go to mehelia and golden bay.now it seems a change is required to get to golden bay with all the problems associated,queues etc. we have now decided to avoide golden bay due to this.if our bus is delayed we are left with a wait for the next one in the sun.qawra now seems like a better bet as standing in line for a bus that will be late or full,sorry arriva,u missed a trick here,you had a perfect chance to sort things out,but with your "huge" price rises we shall not be using your buses often,it adds up to 30 euros to our holiday,we can stay local and get a nice meal for that! i feel for the maltese people,wait until your fares go up,it will happen
Mr Tony Gatt
Jun 24th 2011, 13:43
If I understand the fare structure correctly, it is 1.50 euro for a day return. Given the prices of buses in the U.K (unless you have a Seniors' card) I think this is quite reasonable.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jun 25th 2011, 23:37
Mr C Cassar BECAUSE OUR WAGES ARE A LOT LESS THAN IN THE UK.
THEY SAY IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID.
IN OUR CASE IT'S THE WAGES STUPID.
Mr Giovanni Rizzo
Jun 24th 2011, 08:59
Vengeance it is from such bus drivers whose job will soon be terminated.