Arriva was battling to get its buses running on time today ahead of the big test tomorrow, when the new bus service facing its first working day.

Complaints about buses showing up very late were received across the island today. Arriva said the fact that some drivers had not turned up had had a ripple affect on the network, and the buses also suffered some electronic glitches. (Some 30 drivers did not turn up, according to unofficial sources)

Drivers were also held up by having to explain ticketing to those passengers who paid their fares on board.

Most of the passengers alighting from the buses told timesofmalta.com that they were pleased with the courteous service offered. Some commented that they had had to wait for quite a while on the bus stops but were then not charged for the service. Most were quite tolerant of the teething problems on the first day.

Many were especially pleased by the air conditioning. A few complained it was too cold...

Kristina Chetcuti reports. 

Full story on the first hours of the Arriva service at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110703/local/arriva-bus-service-starts-with-some-problems.373535