Update 2: Red mini buses pick up people from bus stops; drivers claim they were threatened not to go in to work

Rosie zammit

Jul 6th 2011, 00:54

i agree with the fact that in the UK, the driver is paid more... but if you have been on a bus in the 'UK you will realise that the ticket also costs a hell of a lot more than in Malta. If one is talking about split shifts then maybe sales assistants should be paid compensation,since they have been working split shifts for years and no one has opened their mouths in their support. One final thing surprises me.. did the drivers not read the conditions of work, I mean I am sure they had the contract in hand prior to training or were told about the work conditions. Why did they leave it till the last day ...

Mr Joseph Micallef

Jul 5th 2011, 22:38

Why do so many keep persisting in writing here that the drivers will be earning just 35Euros a day?!!! Can't they read or listen to the news properly maybe? The 35Euros are going to be given extra - as part of the agreement reached with the GWU so that the drivers will continue to work the split shift, temporarily! EXTRA! As per AGREEMENT WITH THE GWU which represents the drivers!

Ms maria bonnici

Jul 5th 2011, 22:32

I HAD THE SAME FATE YESTERDAY IN A BUS WITHOUT AIR CONDITION AT 2 IN THE AFTERNOON! WITH THE SCORCHING SUN LAUGHING AT US PASSENGERS FANNING OURSELVES WITH EVERY BIT OF PAPER!!! THIS SHOULDN T HAVE HAPPENED!

Chris Sammut

Jul 5th 2011, 18:19

Usually i do comment against the old bus drivers, but this time old bus drivers and new drivers that joined in are one with same wage. If, it's reality that drivers are being payes 35euros for a shift then i do agree with them of being unhappy. In UK Arriva drivers are payed more than that for sure. Minimum wage in UK is around £5.40, so if you do a shift of 12hrs that's already over £50. So although I don't agree of drivers don't go to work, i blame all who s involved in the 'froga' of new transport for Malta and act on behalf of the citizens and all the business hit. and quick!

Robert Camilleri

Jul 5th 2011, 11:00

ghal hafna minnkom jidher li dawn il haddiema li jridu aktar paga minn 35 euros haqqhom il forka!! jien naghmila cara li kwalunkwe haddiem haqqu aktar minn 35 euros paga kuljum!! u dawn li jmexxu l pajjiz hadu 500 euros fil gimgha zieda ta xejn ikun hawn minnkom li jbirkuhom!! ifthu ghajnejkom tibqawx cwiec maltin

Mr raynond ciancio

Jul 5th 2011, 02:02

i see a lot of comments and people complaining about the bendy busses, but did not see any comment about bringing in double deckers, what do we have against them, they take a good number of people and have been tried and tested not only in other countries, but also on our roads, carrying tourists around, should we think about them????????????

Tonio Bugeja

Jul 4th 2011, 22:34

It seems that the few arrogant bus drivers wanted to put a taste of their own concoction in the matter. These rotten tomatoes should be purged and done away with. If there is anything which is against an agreement then it is easily identified and sorted around a table but these few had other plans. Their arrogant act was aimed at the maltese public who had tirelessly subsidised their poor service and wanted to say a big thank you their way. If there was a whiff of nostalgia for them they lost it! RIP!

Francis Attard

Jul 4th 2011, 18:57

I've spent two and half hours waiting near the super one stage for bus number 72, in the morning.

Mrs Joana Pura

Jul 4th 2011, 17:41

So there is work enough in Malta for foreigners as well! All over in this wild world first you go to work then you bring up further requests. It would be interesting to find out who doesn't respect the contract: Arriva or the bus drivers? Good luck to sort it out. What is going on on the streets is not fun at all.
GWU think of us all. We suffer, those guys are getting paid with 35Euro/day but they don't wait, and wait, and wait...

Antonina Hindley

Jul 4th 2011, 16:50

We went on the bus today and it was chaotic and long waits... but the drivers were very polite and i think it is unfair that a lot of people complain to them about the new routes and the long delays, they are just following the route they are scheduled to.
Hopefully this will resolve soon but do send in your suggestions to Arriva Together we can make this new service better,

Romina Borg

Jul 4th 2011, 15:59

J'alla jibdew jibghatu tnejn minn dawn il-minibuses l-Mgarr, ghax il-bierah kelna nimxu mil-Mosta ghal Mgarr ghax qalulna li buses l'hawn fuq mhux ser jahdmu, dalghodu bqajna l-art wkoll... x'se jsir minna?

Mr Joseph Agius

Jul 4th 2011, 15:44

Arriva's only mistake.....employing Maltese drivers from the old service. Hope these bullies are filtered off as soon as possible.

Mr Ronald Cauchi

Jul 4th 2011, 15:09

Was it the drivers who mad ethe airconditioners go off? Was it the drivers who fixed a good number of bus stops in the wrong place? Was it the drivers who expected bendy buses to go where they didnt fit.? or made people wait for long hours in the sun without any shelter? or was it a pig headed Minister who thinks He knows it all and frankly is well past his sell by date thats assuming he ever had a sell by date.

Ms C Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 14:13

Drivers' shift should not be capriciously lenghtened. However, it must be borne in mind that even EU legislation obliges drivers to take a 45 minute break after a maximum of 4.5 hours driving. (ideally a break is to be taken earlier).

I wish the teething problems were less, however, i urge all Maltese to stick through the hopefully initial difficulties so that we get a public transport service which is civilised and which does not pose the risk of asthma and lung cancer to all of us.

If the system is being torpedoed by ex drivers of the old public transport system, they should be fired and Government ensure that the majority of law-abiding Maltese are not bullied by a minority.

Stephen Koludrovic

Jul 4th 2011, 14:12

In my most humble opinion, Arriva will not be able to give us a good service with just 270 buses, and of which about 80 are {rejects} or as claimed reconditioned buses.

Today its the second day of operations, with one bendy bus from Paceville to Valletta, it took us almost an hour to get there. If this bus had to race a tortoise going up the Pieta hill, it would have been an even bet on who would have won.

BTW The bendy that broke down by the Ballutta pitch was probably the one I was earlier on.

I would suggest to Arriva to just get rid of these types of buses,as a full load of passengers on them take too much time, and most probably their engines are not powerful enough for the load they carry going up some of our hills.

Rachel Caruana

Jul 4th 2011, 14:07

What I can say from all that has been happening is that m'hemmx trux iktar ma dak li ma jridx jisma! One must be blind not to realise that most new operations on such a scale will have teething problems. Having workers not showing up for work has only aggravated the problem. Now Arriva have to deal with this too. One cannot blame a company for the irresponisble behaviour of the selfish few. This attitude has only caused problems to clients using transport, mostly fellow maltese and thrown a bad light on tourists. STILL OUR MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME. Just to sulk because they did not get their way. Why did not the old bus drivers sort themselves out and improve the service all these decades if they did not want to be replaced. Gone are the days when people are prepared to put up with rickety buses, foul language and getting ripped off for not having the right change. Besides unpredictable schedules. Have the maltese forgotten all this? And now they expect sterling service from day one, where in most instances we put up with bad service and inconsistencies across the board. Maltese are not known for their puncuality that is for sure. Then some have the cheek to complain at the slightest hitch when the Arriva people and those maltese drivers who have had the decency to turn up for work are trying their best to fix the mess caused by the lazy and ignorant. If the said drivers complain about the wage they should have found work elsewhere or protected their job in the first place and not got replace because of the trash we have had to put up with. Also did they not know that they could not show their tattoos/earrings until the first day of work? did they not read their contract before? Every place of work has its rules, and this is no exception. Veru ghawn min iridha hobla u tredda!!!!

Ms D Galea

Jul 4th 2011, 13:47

The ARRIVA company was a success wherever it provided a service.Why should they not be successful in tiny Malta?

Why should a handful of selfish , brutish, semi-illiterate morons be allowed to sabotage the system ?

ARRIVA should not have taken on any of the old drivers to provide this brand new service. One can dress up a mule in the trappings of thoroughbred horse,, but a mule it will remain.

Mr Lawrence Fenech

Jul 4th 2011, 13:47

Ergajna, kju ghand l-ETC ghal-impieg u ingibu il-barranin biex jiehdu xoghol il-maltin. Isthu. din marda kronika tal-PN l-ewwel il-barranin.

Carmela Mercieca

Jul 4th 2011, 13:39

meta naqra l-blogs ninduna kemm hawn kristjani f'dan il-pajjiż li jiftaħar li hu kattoliku. Alla hu akbar u meta dawn jigu għal ġudizzju Tiegħek jippretendu l-ħniena Mingħandek.

Ħlief mibgħeda għal proxxmu m'għandhomx. O Mulej aħfrilhom għax ma jafux x'inhuma jagħmlu.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jul 4th 2011, 13:35

Their publicity material, their PR Campaign, their state of the art electronics systems, their drivers grooming with their white shirt and tie, their comfortable air-conditioned new buses and the newly opened routes are all very impressive, well done Arriva. But what do buses normally do essentially, they transport commuters don’t they? Maybe Arriva will start doing that in the not too distant future.

Ms Francesca Abela

Jul 4th 2011, 13:35

So is all hunky dory in Gozo then?/ Is it only the Maltese Bus drivers who have not turned up for work?? And what is the real reason these 56 drivers did not work?? maybe they could make more than 70 euros a day moonlighting?? Or to be able to have anough free time to carry out their undeclared coffee morning, school / work runs etc?? SACK them and emply more drivers. Arriva should also consider employing part timers and relievers who will be available on call at short notice.

Joseph Grech Attard

Jul 4th 2011, 13:30

The change is needed. Teething problems arise always,even when one enters a new house or wears a pair of new shoes!! What irritates me is the hypocrisy of those who, in previous years, did not reason so but now do! Also Dr. Austin Gatt should stop bullying. Everybody has had enough of such mannerisms. He used to be one who strongly opposed such ways in the 70's and early 80's. He, together with others, was strongly against bringing in foreign doctors during the infamous, political doctors' strike. Is he now in favour of bringing in foreign drivers who do not know Maltese routes? How times change. let's hope God continues to take care of this little Island!

Gordon Borg

Jul 4th 2011, 13:29

issa ix xufiera "tat trakkijiet" imorru jirregistraw ukoll apparti is somma li hadu u tharbit li gabu kemm f lulju 2008 u anke issa.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 13:07

May those who want the Maltese drivers who are fighting for their right have a thousand time what they wish for the Maltese drivers.

Ray Abela

Jul 4th 2011, 13:04

Reading this article makes me wonder who really is at fault here! A spokesman for Arriva said and quote "almost all the buses are in operation" How does one define almost? Almost to me means 90% Yet we have 56 drivers missing! Which buses I beg to enquire, were they going to drive? Yesterday we were told that 30 drivers were a no-show. Today we had 56 no-shows. Yet Mr Barstow is under the impression that the bus drivers that did not turn up this morning were less than yesterday! The mind boggles! I sincerely believe the it is the management that needs pulling up their socks! I have never witnessed queues like I have today. Their is a great necessity to go back to the drawing board and seriously reconsider the whole system. My wife left Paola this morning under the impression that she was going to be driven to Valletta as per usual! Little did she know that she was going to Valletta via Qormi and Hamrun! Come on guys, please wake up, this is not Sunderland or Slumberland!

ronald mifsud

Jul 4th 2011, 13:02

The service is excellent. Some of the old bus drivers want to sabotage the new company. They think they can reduce it to shambles as the old organisation. Sack the bastards & leave them longing for work!

Paul Sammut

Jul 4th 2011, 12:53

Notrwithstanding the chaotic begining of the service, I still say that it will be fine tuned and these teething problems should be solved. However I never expected that the new buses come along without showing at least the destination or else some kind of information in front !! This is pure pure administration.

Wilfred Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 12:49

Why are some people blaming Arriva for this mess when the fault is clearly that of a few drivers who were set on disrupting the service before it even started? Arriva made only one mistake; they hired some of the old bus drivers. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that they had planned this from the start to purposely disrupt the service! Arriva should fire anyone who hasn't shown up for work and replace them with people who want to work.

Mr Dave Smith

Jul 4th 2011, 12:43

So Arriva fly in 55 drivers from the UK. Is one to assume that the company had pre-empted the problem and had previously arranged I.D cards as well as the required work permits to allow them to operate? Furthermore made suitable arrangements for their own personal safety given the level of feelings?

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jul 4th 2011, 12:43

I am very comfortably retired leading a relatively good life with no serious complaints, yet I will never forget the hardships when I started having to support a family when my income wasn't enough to sustain a decent quality of life. How can I today not sympathize with these drivers who we expect to see feeding themselves and their family on 35 bloody Euros a day? Yes yes yes they have my solidarity and my finger is pointed at Laurence Gatt. If everything worked like a Swiss watch today he will be all over the place posing for the media and demanding our applause. Since things did not turn out right, who can I therefore put the blame on?

j camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 12:41

Arriva...Ma tasal qadt !!!

C Micallef

Jul 4th 2011, 12:22

in senglea this morning there was 1 bus at 6am (20mins for all the people to board and have their tickets) and then the next bus was only at 9:30am!! 3 and a half hours of waiting for people who need to go to work in the morning is totally unacceptable!

Mario Pace

Jul 4th 2011, 12:12

Dear All,


I have used the Minibuses this morning. Blissful. Very efficient service.

Will be using them daily.

M. Pace

Kenneth Ellul

Jul 4th 2011, 12:02

Honestly dont care what the drivers where or are earning. if they want to keep their job they should work and work hard, if not they should just bugger off. After all it is the public who had to stick up with their poor and rude attitude (which was definatly not worth 300 Euro a week) over the past decades. Now its time for them to pull up their socks. Well done Arriva for bringing over the UK Drivers so as to counter act these non showers.

Mr Slim Bartolo

Jul 4th 2011, 11:51

I think now we can seperate the real men from the boys, as some Maltese who have never worked for a foreign company abroad will never learn and are still living in the days of the ark or as we say in cocoland or in plain terms ignorant so and so and need to be given 100 lines<> i must go back to school and learn some manners and grow up<> in some european countries the people creating Havoc would be sacked and in their place employ a reliable person who is willing to do his job according to the rules. After all they are employed as PUBLIC SERVANTS to put it mildly and at this rate they are letting not only the country down but also the public who use the Brand New service. Work it out for yourselves, as the end of the day its their pocket that suffers and their families who need their daily bread and butter. End of Story!

Tarcisio Bonello

Jul 4th 2011, 11:42

If I were the Police - I would ask :-

Who are the people threatening the Arriva Drivers ?

What is the REAL aim of disrupting the Bus Service? (surely it's not the 12 hr roster which is temporary and going to be changed in the coming weeks)

Could these people be the same ones that planted a bomb at the Transport Malta Offices a few months back?

... in fact this action could be a blessing in disguise!!

PS: - Well Done Arriva for bringing in replacement drivers = The message you have sent is that you will not tolerate any Thugs or Bullies disrupting the service. That's the way to do things.

.... and prosit Austin Gatt too!!!

Guze Scerri

Jul 4th 2011, 11:32

Fejn hija Transport Malta li hija ir-regulatur tat-transport f'Malta biex ghazlet din il-kumpanija biex tmexxi it-transport publiku b'dan in-nuqas ta management serju? Tidher li hija nieqsa ghall-kollox biex tmexxi transport f'pajjizna.

Joanne Micallef

Jul 4th 2011, 11:26

I got stuck in traffic this morning as a bus BROKE DOWN in Tower Rd. I can understand why the buses are late, but quite frankly its a bit too soon for the buses to start bailing out aswell

Mr Patrick Zammit

Jul 4th 2011, 11:26

"Permanent drivers have to be fluent in Maltese."

Why are Arriva burdened with such conditions?

The British are EU nationals and have every right to work here.

The Government employed nurses (who have a much more delicate job than drivers) who do not speak a single word of Maltese.

Malta has become a place where (apart from EU nationals) Asians, Africans and Eastern Europeans can be seen working without any problem.

Do they all speak Maltese?

fleur cilia buckett

Jul 4th 2011, 11:25

lol...........the uniform stands for maltese, english polish whoever!!!!it's quite simple who doesnt turn up to work, they will be down at the dole office!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jul 4th 2011, 11:22

Let's face it the imported Arriva's top brass, even though that they are not Cwiec Maltin, had blown it up to redicule. Now we have to wait and see this group of 56 British bus drivers trying to find their way through the streets of Hal Qormi,Qrendi,Hal Safi, Sqaq il Voti..... etc. Free entertainment will be guaranteed to all.

Jonathan Scerri

Jul 4th 2011, 11:18

If 56 out of 470 drivers did not show up, one would expect that 88% of the service would still run as scheduled. The absent drivers are only part of the blame.
The rest of mishaps is all due to the incompetence (we're used to it now) of ARRIVA and Co.
Shameful service for EUR 6.8million a year out of taxpayers' pockets in subsidies.

Mr Ray de Bono

Jul 4th 2011, 11:14

its 11.15, some of my staff are still on their way to office. NO COMMENT. Arriva non ARRIVA MAI?

G Briffa

Jul 4th 2011, 11:12

First of all many of you people commenting here really don't know the true situation. First of all Arriva is not being run by foreigners in this country but by Maltese people. 2nd of all in the United kingdom and many other countries, the drivers all have tattoos even the ones of Arriva. Malta is the special place which isn't allowing drivers with tattoos.
In the Old Bus service the drivers had quite a decent pay of 300 euros per week. With a big company like Arriva they are only getting less then 200 euros a week. Their contract was an 8 hour per day and this changed drastically with some drivers also have to work about 12-14 hours a day with the same freaking wage. Now they are bringing foreign drivers as well, these drivers are being paid about 400 euros a week !!!. But since many of you people always critisize the old bus drivers you may not believe what i'm saying and im sure many of you consider it to be fair having foreign drivers with high wages while having .our own national drivers paid only the half of which foreign drivers will be paid . Many of you people also consider it to be fair having Arriva changing drastically the Rosters for drivers to work more with the same wage. I really wish for many of you people to end up having more work time and will still be paid the same or having your wage reduced, then you will end up in the same situation that our Maltese drivers are in.

Mrs Maya Fenech

Jul 4th 2011, 11:09

Well done Arriva for trying to give a service even though some people try to sabotage your start. They are wishing the old days back where everybody could do what they like.

Jonathan Agius

Jul 4th 2011, 11:00

Who knows who's treatening the bus drivers??? I guess I know who.....

The rude old bus drivers!!!!!

Christopher Busuttil

Jul 4th 2011, 10:58

If you would like to taste the luxury of Arriva buses in Malta visit :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTHMdFHqIlQ&amp;feature=mh_lolz&amp;list=HL1309769561

Franco Abela

Jul 4th 2011, 10:56

I think drivers have the right to protest like everyone.... simply not in this way!

If I do not go to work everytime I do not agree with my boss I end up working a 3 day week. Hold on... if I don't go to work I get fired right away! No one has the right to strike without informing the parties involved before-hand and strikes should be authorised by the union. This was not the case with these drivers. Give them an ultimatum and if they do not show to work tomorrow, ie: 3 days no show = not interested to work anymore and fire them.

Mr Chris Vidal

Jul 4th 2011, 10:56

il Malti qatt ma jitghallem.

Mr Victor Laiviera

Jul 4th 2011, 10:55

I get the feeling that most people commenting here are simply venting the frustration, built up over decades, with our very poor (in some respects) public transport services.

Which is totally unfair.

This dispute is about a very specific point. The drivers were engaged to a signed contract which specified certain conditions. On the first day, these conditions were changed unilaterally by the company.

This is in no way acceptable. If Arriva is allowed to get away with this, no employee will be safe. Any company will be able to change contractual conditions at will - we will really be back in Victorian times.

Wake up, for god's sake. There are principles that are more important than cheap revenge cos some bus driver treated you badly in the past.

Victoria b

Jul 4th 2011, 10:52

why these employees are complaining now? When they signed the contract they new what they were going to be offered as salary. If these employees who didn't go to work and are protesting are old bus drivers I think it's time for arriva to sack them and if arriva had given any training to these guys please ask them back the money you invested on them.

Seems like these people are tryring to sabotage the new system... Just get them out of the way.

They have always got what they wanted on the old bus service, hopefully now not anymore so just stop acting as bullies...

Mr Reginald Borg

Jul 4th 2011, 10:51

Sorry, ARRIVA!
Do be patient with a fraction of our people!
This government has always found obstacles from within and from without!
Thank you just the same!

Steven Dimech

Jul 4th 2011, 10:48

Arriva should fix the contract issue, if they want the drivers to work 15hrs instead of 8hrs, they need to increase the pay and create a rest / off schedule.
But the drivers cant expect to protest because they cant do the part time, wear ear rings and show off thier tattoos!!! Those days are over, they should not have signed the contract. You had your chance and screwed it up. This was a mistake by arrive to employ most of these people. (there were some really friendly drivers with the old system as well, with tattoos and ear rings as well. nothing wrong with it)
I work in a office and cant wear ear rings nor show off my tattoos, and i am good with it cause i signed for it.

Arriva increase your pay, and you will find more and more people willing to become bus drivers.

Mary Louise Cachia

Jul 4th 2011, 10:47

Tlaqt mid-dar ha naqbad l-ewwel tal-linja ta 5.35 minn Marsascala, tal-linja giet fis-6.50 u wasalt ix-xoghol, Ta Xbiex, fit.8.30.

L-iktar haga li dejqitni ma kienx id-driver jew it-traffic li kien hemm, izda l-QRID zejjed tan-nies u TMAQDIR. Id-driver kien pjuttost kalm u gentili. Ejja naghtu cans u nkunu ftit pacenzjuzi ghall-darba!! :/

Mario Desira

Jul 4th 2011, 10:45

Minister Gatt last year claimed passengers would feel as if we are using transport in another country – and no passenger would need to wait more than 15 mins on a bus stop: he is obviously divorced from reality. It still feels very much like Malta.

This morning, since no information was accessible from Arriva website and the phone went unanswered, I was on the bus stop at 0630 am waiting for the 72 Qrendi bus. This never came. After one hour waiting on the bus stop came a bus which took us to the airport and from then to Qormi interchange and then to Valletta. Result – to get to work to Valletta took me two hours, again arriving late for work. Even accepting teething problems, this is still unacceptable.

One gets the impression planning was both rushed and amateurish, otherwise how come some drivers are not sure of the routes to follow and unable to provide information? And was it not common perception that employing old drivers would produce the same old problems? And the Arriva booklets mailed at home do not have sufficient information on how to travel from A to B, while information on the website if one gets through is still incomplete.

Neil Bugeja

Jul 4th 2011, 10:44

Just because the bus drivers realised they're not going to be the gods of the roads and that there's someone above them who's not going to take any ****, they strike!!!
If it were me, I'd fire them ALL on the spot. No second chances, no pity and no nonsense! This is not right for the drivers who actually went to work eager to start with a new company in the right way and frame of mind! it is also not fair to give the company a bad name, since this was all out of their hands! They are doing their utmost to bring drivers in and start their service as expected!

SHAME on the maltese bus drivers. I never thought highly of them, but this is an all-time low

Joe Micallef

Jul 4th 2011, 10:42

the change is already impacting positively the environment and will rapidly get on and win commuters' favorable opinion the ARRIVA system is a quantum leap over the now defunct archaic bus (sic) system where the people served the system and not vice versa!

Drivers who do not want reform and think they can dictate as in the past have no place in ARRIVA!

I rarely if ever used the old system as it was unreliable at best and monopolistic as a rule- the commuter was always made to feel obliged for having the miserable service in the form of dingy buses with brooms and floor rags under the front seats/ filthy interior and dirty exterior body works/ the unreliable stop alert push system and unless submissive to the driver's whim one ends up argueing over the 1 cent change -and made to feel a miser asking for the change!!

We Maltese have a knack to forget what one went through with the old bus system and expect miracles the minute a change is introduced !!
Come on Maltese commuters your dignity as a service user (commuter) is being honored and respected - assist by being patient -ARRIVA will succeed big time and sooner than expected!!

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Jul 4th 2011, 10:36

Perhaps some of the migrants who have been given a temporary residence could be trained to do the job. It will tide us over the next few months and give these migrants driving skills which will make it easier for them to seek a job in Europe.

Alfred Grech

Jul 4th 2011, 10:34

Very confusing situation. If it's true that Arriva changed the rosters at the last minute, then Arriva was very wrong. To see all this happen at the last minute is very puzzling. Someone, somewhere goofed big time. I would have thought that such an important issue would have been discussed and solved long before the service came into effect.

Who's the culprit? Arriva, GWU or the drivers? Those who faulted should rectify the situation fast.

Ms B Cassar

Jul 4th 2011, 10:23

In my opinion the drivers that missed work had to discuss this properly instead of not showing up to work in the old style archiac type ways practised in Malta. Yes, they have a right to disagree with Arriva on the work schedule if this is different from what was promised and shown in their contract, but these ways are not the proper ones to handle difficulties with your employer. I think the best way should have been that of going to work and inform the union and the management that they are unhappy and disagree with Arriva ALWAYS AND ONLY if the schedule is different from what was signed for in their contract. Protests are only acceptable in extreme cases and not as the order of the day.

In my personal opinion, like it or hate it, if I was the Government, I would have placed one important clause in the contract with Arriva that is - "you are not allowed to employ any of the old bus drivers, the drivers have to be completely new" Even if some drivers were good and used to help, there were still the bad ones that like it or not have influenced the good ones. Also, what a person has been used to for let's say 20 years cannot be changed in few weeks. Old cultures die hard, therefore for me Arriva has fired itself in the foot by employing old bus drivers. I would have expected yound new faces on the buses with a particular level of education such as some O-levels at least and if this education means to pay a little more in wage, then why not? At least finally we would have sacked the insolent, arrogant, moody behaviour from our streets completely.

On another note, I really really hope that the new buses will begin to respect the traffic code that is stopping on stop signs, give way on roundabouts etc as we are quite used to jungle style driving by the old bus drivers. I can still remember the first words of my father when I got my car licence - "stay away from taxis, buses and mini buses - they are all jungle drivers" and he was very right.

A.J. Critien

Jul 4th 2011, 10:22

To me it is obvious that those who didn’t report to work did so primarily to disrupt the new operation of buses on Day 1. Even their own Union whom they opted to join and their representatives whom they opted to elect told them that the matter was being discussed and urged them to report for duty. Nevertheless they chose to ignore their representatives’ pleas and must now face the consequences for their irresponsible action.

Ian Bugeja

Jul 4th 2011, 10:22

Shame on these drivers ... I am curious to know if these drivers are from the old service.

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Jul 4th 2011, 10:19

By the way - as someone here said some bus drivers from the old system are taking the buses out of the depot and then just going round without picking passengers up (sometimes even grinning as they drive past crowds on bus stop in the sweltering heat) or just stopping somewhere.

If you see them please take down their details (exact time - bus stop where you saw them - route nr - bus reg no.)

Let's get rid of these b******s once and for all!

Mario Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 10:18

ZMIEN IL-BUZULLOTTI SPICCA. Dr.Austin Gatt's words last Saturday.
Very well said.

Mr Carmel Garcia

Jul 4th 2011, 10:17

Well said Mr. Azzopardi.

J. Scicluna

Jul 4th 2011, 10:16

I would LOVE to see your comments should some employers bring in foreigners to do your jobs during an industrial dispute.

Without getting into the merits of whether there was a breech of contract from ARRIVA or not, this action sets a dangerous precedent.

On another note, if some of the Maltese drivers commented that they are not all that fluent with some of the Routes, imagine a British driver who has never visited the Islands! LOL

E. Azzopardi

Jul 4th 2011, 10:15

Our government, who gave these drivers so much of our taxes, should have given them the money and stopped there and not guarantee a job for ten years. Now see what you got.. They find another job themselves. In fact, that is what the vast majority of those who lose their job do, unless you were at the Drydocks, Sea Malta, Air Malta and some others, Other redundant employees are left to fend for themselves. This is very very unjust. Everybody should be treated equally. And these moron of drivers, do not even have some respect for the people who gave them all that money. Just fire them. We have had enough of them.

R Marquette

Jul 4th 2011, 10:15

Following yesterday's article on this website, I am eagerly waiting to see if Arriva has the guts to force these British drivers to wear long sleeves because of tattoos or make any of them take off their earrings ... I'll just have to wait and see .....

Ellie M.

Jul 4th 2011, 10:13

mamma mia.... what a crappy service!!!!
Waiting for a bus for almost 2 hours yesterday and today for an other hour!!!!
Not to mention .... the LONG routes... it takes u over an hour to arrive to VALLETTA!!

Ara x'ha taghmlu.....

Anthony Busuttil

Jul 4th 2011, 10:13

Are they being offered wages and conditions same as Maltese.
The Maltese drivers are being paid peanuts, according to the conditions
imposed. British drivers you have to provide accomodationa and food. Maltese drivers they will only get their uniforms.

David Caruana

Jul 4th 2011, 10:12

Fire the cowboys! And good riddance to bad rubbish

Mr marco caruana

Jul 4th 2011, 10:12

huma x inhuma il kundizzjonijiet , l Arriva Zbaljat bil kbir meta impjegat certu ex-drivers mis servizz l antik.....milli rajt fuq it tv malaj tinduna bl-arroganza u qziez ta certu drivers li qet jipruvaw ifixxklu bil kbir is servizz il gdid .

grazzi

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Jul 4th 2011, 10:11

Give them residence permits (do they need them?) and basic Maltese lessons and those of them who want can stay here and replace the 56 that had something better to do than turn up for work.

Better foreigners - of any nationality, creed, or colour - which you can depend on than vindictive thugs left over from the old system.

I'd like to thank the dependable Maltese and English bus drivers who are working hard and in adverse conditions. Thank you guys (and gals).

Mr Peter Murray

Jul 4th 2011, 10:11

However,whilst waiting for the full story I would like to ask the GWU if the drivers coming from the UK are members of the union ,or an acknowledged and affiliated one,and if the union agreed to this temporary measure by Arriva-or even that the union were consulted prior to bringing these drivers here?just a thought .

Karl Abela

Jul 4th 2011, 10:10

It is very obvious that the Labour party has unofficially used the GWU to stir up trouble and use its members to throw in a spanner in the works and ruin the governments efforts to introduce a new bus service.

We all know how it works in Malta. Any new project or initiative has to be tainted due to political jealousy.

I challenge anyone to name a project, initiative or change in the country that hasnt been under fire by the labour party. I can name a few for those who do not wish to understand:

Malta's EU accession, adopting the Euro currency, strict hunting regulations, closure of the dockyards, state of the art Mater Dei hospital, wind farm projects, and last but not least, the stubborness and persistence in opposing the polluter pays priniciple.

Is this the positive party that we want in government?

George Mifsud

Jul 4th 2011, 10:09

Wondering what would the British public would say if this was the other way round - importing foreigners to fill the temporary vacancies - surely a furore !!!!

E. Azzopardi

Jul 4th 2011, 10:07

Their Union told them to go in for work. They defied their employer and their union. There is only one solution, only one: fire them all. And this is all the fault of those who guaranteed these drivers a job for ten years. Now is the time for them to lose their job. The vast majority of the citizens predicted that with these poeple there will be problems. And here they are. We never learn, do we?

Ms K Bugeja

Jul 4th 2011, 10:06

this is a clear message...... You snooze you loose.

With every company there are rules to abide by. I remember a friend of my mother's. She was a nurse and they had to wear kaki trousers which were really uncomfortable due to the heat. But she did abide by the rules!

The image of the drivers was bloody disastrous ! ! ! ! ! come on! No smoking signs & the only one smoking is the driver. Swearing should not even be heard whilst one is working. COME ON! Why do you think everyone praises the foreigners? Now the foreigners have come to set things right in the bus business.

Clear message from Arriva: We will NOT be your puppets on a string. Your days of getting what you want are OVER. We are a company who gets things done!!

Maltin nfissdin wisq!!!

Mr M Mamo

Jul 4th 2011, 10:05

and some of you want us to stop blaming old drivers?

"There were also unconfirmed reports that some of the drivers who did not show up for work claimed that they had been threatened not to go to work."

KICK THESE IDIOTS!

Jean Claude Chetcuti

Jul 4th 2011, 10:04

These few drivers, who seem to have a very low IQ, should have been responsible enough to do their job and if they had any issues with their working conditions, they should discuss these round the table, as a proper gentleman would do. They have to forget the system of blackmail and threatening, as these days are over.
Hope that Arriva will get rid of these few bullies, as I would not want them to be driving my children around. People with such low intelligence should not be given such responsible jobs.

Mr Peter Murray

Jul 4th 2011, 10:02

EveryONE is an expert all of a sudden AND EVERYONE KNOWS THE FULL STORY.This whole affair stinks to high heaven and its very obvious that someone is not telling the whole truth-whether its the drivers,Arriva or even the Union only they truly know the full story behind this ridiculous situation and how it happened so very late in the day.Let's all wait for the truth to come out before passing judgment and condemning ALL concerned.

Mr john vella

Jul 4th 2011, 09:59

From the onset I believe that we needed a better transport system even if it had to come from Timbuktu!
BUT, I also strongly believe any dispute will never be settled by bringing in STRIKE BREAKERS!
In their country they are called SCABS!
No this is not the way to handled this situation!
Being a cuc malti I can tell the foreign experts that the whole thing was a flop from the word go.
If it was to be a transfer from one system to another it should have been done by areas (stages) first, and finally after it was experienced the way our system works than it was to become national!
STRIKE BREAKERS are always STRIKE BREAKERS in any language.
Shame on the GWU for allowing foreigners to replace local workers where do we go from here?

Philip Bonello

Jul 4th 2011, 09:59

Bringing in foreign workers to replace protesting maltese workers is tantamount to strike breaking and the GWU should not accept this. BTW, British bus drivers are as bad as our own drivers in the old bus service.

E Schembri

Jul 4th 2011, 09:57

Well done Arriva, dismiss the ones who did not show up and bring in the British drivers.

It is the fault of the Maltese drivers who think that they can do as they please and still get away with it.

Also, they should be prevented from claiming unemployment benefits as they had the chance to work and preferred to stay at home.

Philip Bonello

Jul 4th 2011, 09:54

May I suggest that the bus drivers who did not turn up for work, should now go in for work, have made their protest known; and later, if their grievance is not cleared, should collectively sue Arriva for breach of promise if there ever was one

Michael Bruce

Jul 4th 2011, 09:49

ARRIVA did invite those drivers who could not accept the split shift to return their uniforms, which is what some have done.Clearly many drivers were shocked when receiving their rosters and 56 or so appear to have decided that this is not a career for them.

David Xuereb

Jul 4th 2011, 09:46

Niftakar lil gonzi jghid fil-mass meetings li mhux ha jkun hemm iktar sfruttament tal-haddiem. Jiddispjacini nghid li ghad hawn hafna sfruttament tal-haddiem f'dan il-pajjiz b'pagi baxxi u litteralment il-haddiem spicca ma jistax jiftah halqu jaqbez ghad-drittijiet tieghu. Min jaf kemm ha jithallsu dawn ix-xufiera inglizi!

M Tonna

Jul 4th 2011, 09:45

Some bad apples that we can certainly do without!

Prosit Arriva !

Jeff Zammit

Jul 4th 2011, 09:45

At 7:30 I left home. In 10 minutes I was on Fgura stage, where I waited with a long queue. After a sweltering 25 minute, a passer-by remarked that all stages along Fgura were in the same dire situation. So I decided to walk to Paola interchange, where buses are much more frequent. As soon as I arrived two full up buses passed by. Fortunately a third bus appeared, but I left a long grumbling and deluded queue waiting for the Mater Dei bus in the sun. The road to Valletta was without mishaps. The traffic was horrendous. To pile it up, at Bombi interchange, the bus driver decided to stop for 5 minutes. He was waiting for another other Arriva driver to change his shift! What could have gone worse? I arrived at work at 9:00, 1.5 hours after leaving from home.

The moral of the story: I prefer old bumby buses with no a/c as long time tables are respected. For the time being I will not be using Arriva. I still have to wait for the outcome after school commences again.

Stephanie Caruana

Jul 4th 2011, 09:44

I hjop that the drivers who haven't shown up for work are fired immediately, and billed for any training received from Arriva.

I totally agree with Arriva for doing everything possible to rectify the situation.

Welcome to Malta to the British Drives

Mr Charles Portelli

Jul 4th 2011, 09:41

They've done it again. In place of arriva, I would have sacked the whole lot of the dissenting cowboys. Especially since agreement had been found with GWU.

They are lacking respect towards their employer who had guaranteed them bread to their families, and towards their colleagues who are now under strain because of their irresponsible actions.

Victoria Vella

Jul 4th 2011, 09:41

Did Arriva offer these British Drivers the same pay and conditions it offered the Maltese drivers?
As always we give very good salaries and other perks to foreigners and expect 'Cwiec Maltin' to work for peanuts and be treated like dirt. We also expect them to be thankful.

Raphael Stevens

Jul 4th 2011, 09:39

I'm afraid the buses are sabotaged on the road as well. It's not only the drivers who didn't show up. I was waiting yesterday in Pembroke park and ride bus stop for 1.5hrs for a bus to stop. When I got to the bus stop there was an arriva bus on emergency lights (reg. plate bus 11) waiting, then 3 arriva workers jumped on that bus - then they were just crusing around Pembroke outside of bus routes - just burning fuel. They were passing the bus stop few times - without stopping naturally.

During the 1.5hrs there were other empty buses just passing by - reg. plate "bus 30", "bus 72", "bus 96". One of them was even ironically smiling to the crowds on the bus stop - how nice!

So - have your mobile phones ready, if you encounter such situation record a movie - send it to Arriva.

Kurt Caruana

Jul 4th 2011, 09:38

Well Done Arriva!

don't worry.. this is great for your company as it's helping you filter OUT the bad apples in the lot...

Philip Borg Barthet

Jul 4th 2011, 09:38

Since they didn't show up they obviously don't want their jobs. Keep them as temp drivers until you fins permanent replacements and get rid of them.. They obviously don't want to work! Every time thus country tties to move forward, there always seems to be those who try to keep it back!

Mr Nyal Xuereb

Jul 4th 2011, 09:38

Minn ma iridx jahdem jitlaq u jaghmel post ghal haddiehor

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 09:30

DECENT MALTESE CITIZENS SHOULD BOYCOTT ARRIVA FOR GETTING FOREIGN DRIVERS TO UNDERMINE THE MALTESE DRIVERS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS.

I SHALL NEVER USE YOUR SERVICE ARRIVA.

THOSE WHO ARE URGING ARRIVA TO BRING FOREIGN DRIVERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.

Dee Williams

Jul 4th 2011, 09:30

I agree.. get rid of the drivers who didn't turn up for work, and make them repay the money it's cost Arriva to train them. Why do the drivers have to speak fluent maltese... after all it's EU and freedom of movement. Well done Arriva for acting so quickly and bringing in british drivers. Let the one's who didn't show up for work join the unemployment queue.

Mr John Bonnici

Jul 4th 2011, 09:29

British drivers are not the solution!!! they would be worsening the situation, although they are highly trained in driving the bus, the do not have a clue of the routes or of our roads. Sorry to say, but Arriva was not prepared yet, but hope that in the long run they would be running smoothly.

Mr apple .

Jul 4th 2011, 09:29

B kull rispet ghalinqas bl Arriva bhalissa mhux sejrin tajbin pero bil qodma QATT ma morna tajjeb just accetajnijhom kif inhuma ghax ma kelnix ghazla. Jien ghalija ga improvement jekk id driver jirrispetak mux jharislek bl ikrah, jofendik jew tkun qieghed tistenna u jibqa ghaddej bix ma jiqafx ghal persuna wahda ! ajduwli kem il darba sibtu driver li kien pulit maghhkom , todom fuq subajk. B kull rispett x tipretendu li sistema gdida tindara mil ewwel ? din bhal meta xihadd jsib xoghol gdid nahseb kollha kontu tafu kollox mil ewwel ! Minn kif titkelmu il Maltin kollox perfett taghmlu ma tantx jidher !

Bernard Storace

Jul 4th 2011, 09:25

"Transport Minister Austin Gatt on Saturday said that workers who did not like the conditions and did not show up should be dismissed".....does this quote refer to members of parliament too, he, he, he?
Anyhow, if contractual conditions are not honoured then the worker has every right to protest until the contract agreement is adhered to. However, we shall be wiser with hindsight; still I am of the opinion that Arriva rushed in where angels fear to tread.....they'll learn soon enough especially knowing that TM is bending over forward to please them to the detriment of those who are not in the least interested in busses and never have been.

Mr SALVINU XUEREB

Jul 4th 2011, 09:25

WHY NOT ENROLE PARTIMERS. i THINK THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK A FOUR HOUR SHIFT

Mr Albert Farrugia

Jul 4th 2011, 09:23

Truth of the matter is: this has been a disaster all round, no way around it. (1) Would a decent private company inform its core workers (those it absolutely needs to offer its service) about their working conditions ONE DAY before they begin work? Much blame is being put on drivers, and they certainly should face consequences, but it is certainly horrible planning on the part of the company to leave this problem to be settled less than 24 hours before the service begins. But then, what if there is a bout of the flu, and more drivers than usual report sick? What then? Has the company no plans? Would it need to import British drivers in these circumstances?
(2) But what about the ticket machines not working? When so much was made of the possibilites offered by them? Was this also the drivers' fault? And the signage system?
(3)And what are we going to tell tourists visiting Malta this week? That they should understand? That we have "teething troubles"? That all will be ok on their next holiday?
(4)And what will we say to those people who we were trying to convince to keep their cars in their garage and take the bus because its convenient?
(5)And,above all, who is going to shoulder political responsibility for this mess?

Ms Monica Muscat

Jul 4th 2011, 09:23

I think that the blackmail game is being played by the drivers not Arriva. As far as I know, all prospective drivers were contracted after training and acceptance of the contract and conditions. If, ONLY IF, the dis-agreement is prolonged and the drivers have to accept going to work under normally unaccepted conditions, this, yes, will be erotion of workers rights. But in my humble opinion, this was all pre-planned. The drivers still think that they can do what they like. Just as they did every time that any Government tried to bring about a decent Public Stransport System: Starting with Perit Mintoff, Dr. Fenech Adami, and Dr. Gonzi. They have only themselves to thank for the arrival of a foreign company to lay the rules.

Do not get me wrong! I am all for the rights and good working conditions for all our Maltese drivers. If, this is all a pre-planned to undermine the system, I think the perpetrators have it coming.

All in all, I do hope everything is ironed out and we come to a stage were the "bad old days" will become just a memory. Do not forget everyone, that the hard work is not only on the workers but also on the directors, administrators and all the organizers.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 09:23

This is a disgusting situation where the workers are being undermined by Arriva and the Government by allowing foreign drivers to substitute Maltese drivers.

This is what being members in the eu means.

Foreign workers undermining Maltese workers who are fighting for their rights and working conditions.

LET THE FOREIGN DRIVERS KNOW THAT THEY ARE UNDERMINING THE MALTESE DRIVERS.

REMEMBER, QALBNA MAL-ĦADDIEMA.

HYPOCRITES.

John Carmel Navarro

Jul 4th 2011, 09:22

Sabotage is the only word that can describe the behaviour of a minority of drivers, these few are doing their almost to stop Arriva from succeeding. Why in Malta as soon as something new comes on the scene there is always a section wanting to destroy progress. The narrow minded few just cannot see the wood for the trees it is not the Bus Company who is going to suffer but all the people who depend on the bus service to go about their business. Shame on anyone who seem to be hell bend to cause mayhem, unfortunately on our beautiful Island dare I say Political gain tends to come to the forefront. Shades of when Mater Dei first opened certainly people were just going in to cause damage, to discredit the state of the art Hospital.

Joseph Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 09:22

Well done to Arriva.
If Maltese workers do not want to work, foreign workers should come in.
Now let's see these people complaining that they are out of work!
Bring in the foreigners, I say, and let them work here instead of the Maltese.
I have no doubt in my mind that there are people out there trying to put spoke in the wheels to ensure that Arriva does not give what it promised. Arriva should work hard to overcome these elements.

Tony Borg

Jul 4th 2011, 09:22

The major problem is that Arriva are denying the facts. Stating that from Cirkewwa the service ir running as normal is one big fat lie. My Gozitan colleague has been waiting for the bus at Cirkewwa for over 2 hours. If that is nomal then God help us.

Lionel Gerada

Jul 4th 2011, 09:21

Trust me guys!! This morning I said it's a new beginning I went after 10yrs on the bus stage next to us in Marsascala and arrived there at around 7.30am... I had the leaflet in my hand saying that every 10minutes a bus will pass! I waited for 15min, 30min, 45 min, 1hr, 1hr 15min and still the bus didn't show up!! Normaly I start work at 8.30am and for sure I was very late I had to go to my house again to grab my car and drive to St. Julians! Finally I landed work.... Thanks Arrive this morning I was in big risk to loose my job!! I can in my father's words!! BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.........

Noel Mifsud

Jul 4th 2011, 09:20

Ha nghaddi kumment fuq ir mrotot. Jine kont nahseb li se jkun hemm tipo ta big terminus Paola u is south jitiqu karozzi per kasu mill Isla Borrmla, Zabbar, Zejtun u jieqfu Paola u jibdlu in nies hemm biex tonqos il kongestjoni mit toroq vicin il belt. Mhix titlaq mill belt u tidhol l isla, bormla, birgu, kalkara, lanqas haqq ghad dawra li jiehdu in nies li specjalment ikunu sejrin ix xol. Fuq il haddiema, fil waqt li ma naqbilx ma li ghamlu, ghandhom dritt jistrkjaw jew jipprotestaw. Jien la jien mal Arriva u lanqas xufier. 200 eruso fil gimgha ghal 47 siegha jigu xi 3.50 euros is siegha, ma nafx dawn il haddiema Inglizi kemm se jigu hawn u jithallsu hekk. Samjt li ghandhom qrib in 9 euros is siegha fl Ingilterra. Jekk veru nitlob lil ETC tinvestiga u tara kif lil dawn ix xufiera ituwhom din ir rata, u lil Maltin din ir rata tal biki. Il bqajna nispera li jigi is servizz tajjeb ghal gid ta kulhadd. Grazzi

Paul Gatt

Jul 4th 2011, 09:19

Is Arriva paying the same wages to the British drivers as the petty wages given to Maltese drivers? Arriva should shoulder all the blame for one cannot leave things till the last minute, namely putting up bus stops with no information, laying fast green lanes creating traffic havoc to commuters for the last three weeks, not settling the time schedules and wages to drivers and many other unsolved problems. The emphasis was made solely on the brand new busses, but no attention was given to the people driving them, instead were treated as third class European citizens.

“Insomma Maltese cwiec xi hadd ghajjarna!!!!

I know Maltese bus drivers in England getting paid four times the wages with better conditions with the same company Arriva. Arriva should come down to earth and realize that Maltese drivers should be treated equally as in the European Union or have we forgotten the advantages for joining???

Surely we can do away with the arrogance displayed by Minister Austin Gatt. After all who is running Arriva? He should have resigned weeks ago over the Divorce issue.

Helen Cassar

Jul 4th 2011, 09:17

Why the heck did they employ the 'old' bus drivers?

Fiona Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 09:15

BRING ON ARRIVA!

So pleased that Malta have finally joined the rest of the world in having a suitable bus system.
Yes there are some teathing problems but what new company doesnt?
Shame on the 60 bus drivers who have caused all these problems and I do hope Austin Gatt sticks to his words and has then ALL dismissed.
The only thing I would say is that the change over should have happened in the winter months when there are less tourists around are these delays are causing unhappy tourists who are being left stranded on bus stops not knowing if they will ever get to the place they wish to visit (I work in a hotel).

For the rest I am sure Arriva will be running smoothly sooner rather than later with all NEW driver.

Mr twanny borg

Jul 4th 2011, 09:11

ix-xufiera ghandhom ragun ghax l-arriva kisret il-kuntratt. il-gwu diga' ittradiet lil dawn ix-xufiera. dawn ix-xufiera maltin ghandhom jithalsu ank jekk ma jithallewx jahdmu skont il-kuntratt. li kieku x-xufiera kisru l-kuntratt x'kien jigri? il-paga ofruta hija tal-qamel. kemm se jithalsu x-xufiera inglizi? il-maltin ghandhom jithallsu daqs l-inglizi. dan mhux serq lil haddiem malti? m naghtix tort lix-xufiera li jitilfu l-pacenzja wara hafna tradimenti bil-pulit.

Mr Victor Laiviera

Jul 4th 2011, 09:06

Those who are gloating over this sad event are being very short sighted. This is another blow at the rights of workers to fight for decent conditions and pay. It is nothing short of industrial blackmail. I am shocked that the GWU is standing for this.

Every Maltese workers - at whatever level and of whatever political colour, should protest and demand that their Unions/Associations show solidarity.

M. Chircop

Jul 4th 2011, 09:06

Soluzjoni wahda... KECCU lil dawk li ghadom jahsbu li jistghu jaghmlu li jridu

Joseph Borg

Jul 4th 2011, 09:05

Ha ha!! Good one. Well done Arriva. Fire the old buses drivers and get decent british ones. That's the way to go to get a proper service. And by the way, GWU can go fishing now as they did not even try to make an effort to get their workers back to work.

Mr Daniel Jones

Jul 4th 2011, 09:02

Those drivers who haven't shown up for work should be fired immediately, and also be billed for any training they received from Arriva.

Its the only language these curs understand.

Well done Arriva for doing everything possible to rectify the situation.

Mark Bishop

Jul 4th 2011, 09:02

"services from Cirkewwa and at Gozo are running as planned"

This is WRONG because we are still waiting in Cirkewwa since the 7:00am ferry.

Ms P.M Graham

Jul 4th 2011, 08:59

I can't imaging British drivers will work for 35 euro's a day.

It's a shame that a few have decided to spoil this transition. I would have thought more of them if they had done their jobs whilst allowing the powers that be to sort it out, (which i am sure they will) and not affect the public service.

Robert Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 08:59

jien nahseb li min ghamel ir rotor hawwad kollox ta!! hemm wisq dawrien zejjed!! jien miniex haddiem ta l arriva imma qedt nara hafna kumenti li jwahhlu fil haddiema ghax ma marrux ghax xoghol!! jien ma ntijomx tort sa l ahhar il dawn il haddiema ghax kull ma qeghdin jaghmlu jiggieldu ghad drittijiet taghhom!! taf x naf jien li l haddiema maltin sirna qisna skjavi nahdmu hinijiet redikoli u pagi tal biki

Mr Christian Spiteri

Jul 4th 2011, 08:58

Shame on the protestors. cannot call them bus drivers cause they haven't drove a bus yet!! Impressive the arriva measures to give us a service by bringing foreign drivers. I urge arriva to dismiss the protesting drivers.

Mr Jo Meli

Jul 4th 2011, 08:55

Well done Arriva :)

The ONLY way some morons listen is when "fire is fought with FIRE".

Over and out !

Mr Joe Micallef

Jul 4th 2011, 08:52

Good decision. Other drivers should be trained as soon as possible to replace the ones to be fired today.

Ivan Camilleri

Jul 4th 2011, 08:50

Hard as it sounds, i would have never allowed the old buses' drivers to be included in the new system. All this was expected.....many of them will never accept that Malta decided to have a modern bus system, unlike the shabby one we had for the last 50 years.

Having said this, i'm pretty sure the new service will be up & running smoothly on a short period of time. ARRIVA knows how to handle such situations & their vast experience will prove them right!

Mr Mario P. Sciberras

Jul 4th 2011, 08:50

Is this an unofficial strike or the resignation of almost 60 drivers?
How many of these drivers are from the old system and how many are new recruits?
Something is wrong somewhere.

Mr A Spiteri

Jul 4th 2011, 08:50

the fact that these drivers are using this opportunity to inflict a damage on Arriva should only be blamed on the government!

It was the government who obliged Arriva to employ these drivers. Arriva, as any other private business, should have been left free to employ anyone who fits the company’s needs.

But government officials and ministers always want to get involved in these kinds of situations in order to score some political points and the inventible end result is the current fiasco!

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100127/local/bus-owners-agreement-compensation-raised-to-55m.291525

“The government is also offering a 10-year job guarantee to drivers who join the new company which will operate the bus service”

Jonathan Scerri

Jul 4th 2011, 08:49

If ARRIVA was a reputable company, it would have dry run the service a week before. As a taxpayer paying double the subsidies (compared to the old boneshakers) I'd expect at least an equal service in the first few days.

The drivers should have been given their tentative roster weeks ago. Those who wouldn't like it, would have gone and would have been replaced.
I can't imagine how a bendy bus sticks on its route! Hasn't this been tried at least once before?
How do the electronics fail on Day 1? Had they been tried and tested?
Why are most bus-stops still lacking timetables?
Where are my taxes going?

Mario Tabone

Jul 4th 2011, 08:48

Well done to Arriva for making a stand against these bully boys who try to sabotage a new service on the first day. The days of holding the government and employers to ransom is gone forever. These bully boys have shot themselves in the foot and can now enjoy the benefit of unemployment !!!
Knowing the Maltese mentality I hope that the Police will take severe action on anybody who might be caught damaging Arriva property such as the buses themselves in order to retaliate .
Transport Malta should waiver the clause about drivers having to be Maltese and let Arriva employ who they want. After all we are an EU member and there should be freedom of movement for workers from member countries.
Getting used to the routes should not be a problem with satnavs these days.
We need to be patient as this is NOT Arriva's fault . This is all down to the sheer ignorance and selfishness of a mindless minority of people who do not want change for their own selfish reasons.
Once again a huge well done to Arriva for making a stand against bully boy tactics.

R. J Bernard

Jul 4th 2011, 08:48

We could have told Arriva if only they had asked...it's one thing running succesfull routes all over Europe and dealing with international business people but upset the mighty Maltese bus driver and...OH Dear!

Keith Goodlip

Jul 4th 2011, 08:47

By getting, temporarily, the foreign drivers, Arriva means that these 56 drivers will no longer work with the company. Arriva should also seek damages from these EX-drivers.

E Libreri

Jul 4th 2011, 08:45

Ahna il-maltin vera ma nafux niehdu gost b'xejn gdid,dejjem nippruvaw naraw x'ha nghamlu biex nirrovinaw dak kollhu li hu progress.Min dejjem hekk konna u hekk ha nibqaw nahseb .Dawn id drivers li qed iwaqqaw l-isem tal-kumpanija fil-baxx u maghha anke Malta ghandhom bzonn jigu mwissija u jekk hemm bzonn imkeccija..Hawn hafna nies li jridu jahdmu vera u f'post iddixxiplinat , ghax qabel qisna go gungla konna meta titla fuq tal-linja, min kollox kont issib..Imisna niehdu gost bil- progress u ghal affarijiet li huma ghal gid tghana u tal-pajjiz u mhux inwaqqawh hekk fil-baxx...

Mr Graham Holme

Jul 4th 2011, 08:40

Why must the bus drivers have to be fluent in Maltese?With the vast majority of the Maltese people speaking English.Shame,as an ex bus,coach driver from the UK,living in Malta.I was thinking of coming out of retirement

Ramon Mangion

Jul 4th 2011, 08:40

Someone is trying to sabotage the system ? maybe the old bullies ?

Tonio Bone

Jul 4th 2011, 08:38

It was already a feat for the service to be flawless with a full driver compliment, imagine with 56/60 less.

MICHAEL ZAMMIT

Jul 4th 2011, 08:37

PLAIN AND SIMPLE SABOTAGE, THERE IS THE HAND OF SOMEONE BEHIND.

Ray Pace

Jul 4th 2011, 08:37

Now all will see the real difference the British drivers will make on our roads. The defaulting drivers are making an injustice to their own colleagues and to their union which told them to work. Hope that the necessary disciplinary measures will be taken against these defaulting drivers. People have been on the bus stop since 5.30am and are now still on a bus travelling to Valletta, already over an hour late for work.

jane deguara nee hughes

Jul 4th 2011, 08:34

i would sack all the drivers, they don't deserve a job on the buses.. it just proves how stupid they are. get rid of them i am sure you can find new drivers. and good luck to all the drivers who turned up for work... keep it up Arriva

Ms Francesca Abela

Jul 4th 2011, 08:34

What a disaster, didn't Arriva forecast what would happen? the Old Bus drivers were expected to cause trouble as they were irate that their old system was going to stop. Arriva should have started the service on 1st July so that by Monday teething troubles would be known. Seems that Arriva was not made aware of the local situation. Meanwhile it seems that residents of siberia ( Jerma - Cerviola) area in Marsascala which is the largest residential area in the village are now served with 5 buses an hour going to Zejtun area and no bus to Valetta! The Bus to Cospicua has been removed1 To get to Valletta residents areexpected to walk 15 mins to the area near Grabiel to get no 91?? My elderly mother certainly cannot walk this distance for a bus to Valletta. Complaints to Arriva Customer care generated a response that 'those are the rules' and a revision will be made in 6 months time! also to 'complain to the Local Council' so were the Local Councils consulted about these stupid routes and accepted them?? How can residents from Jerma area get to Zabbar and Cospicua now?? By a roundabout route through the Airport or Paola?? This is total lunacy and if Transport Malta decided these new routes - why?? To annoy residents?? Action is needed now and not in 6 months time. Bus no 91 should follow the old Bus no 17 route - ie through Triq Salini, and out through Triq Qaliet back to near Grabiels, then residents in this area can be served as otherwise it will be a Bus Dis-service!

A Cordina

Jul 4th 2011, 08:30

"The company said services from Cirkewwa and at Gozo are running as planned". I don't think so. This morning at 6.30am no bus was seen at Cirkewwa! and the bus service in Gozo will work as planned when all bus stops will be erected. As at this morning I did not see any Arriva bus stop in Nadur!

Mr Joe Frendo

Jul 4th 2011, 08:29

Should the Arriva Marhsals at the inter changes help out in the situation rather to be the first to complain? I could not believe it when I heard one of the Arriva person 'who is from the old system' complaining that with the system 'Morna ghal ghar b'Arriva!! ... We are going to the worst with the Arriva!' thus citing more customers to be frustrated. e continued to stated, that with the old system, a bus used to pass every 5 minutes from here! ... now it take ages with Arriva!.

Have these people be given the necessary training on how to easy frustration with your customers during the first days of the service since everyone knows that a new system will have hiccups or it was just a marketing issue?

Robert Borg

Jul 4th 2011, 08:29

Well done Arriva for outsourcing drivers. This shows that the company is really determined to offer a good service!

Joseph Attard

Jul 4th 2011, 08:27

The drivers who did not turn upshould be sacked immediately.Arriva needs to show one and all that it means business. Business is about getting a job done and delivering on time. Arriva should take all measures necessary NOW.

NOEL DARMANIN

Jul 4th 2011, 08:27

My personal opinion THIS is the wrong timing for a start the Arriva service. I noticed that works are still in progress in all treminus and interchanges and still without Shelters and kiosks. In the last two months works started in all interchanges. And what about the state of the road tarmac and what is going to happen in the winter rainy days. Have you considered the flow of water at Marsa interchange??
AS NOTICED, drivers are now using more their own private cars as the timing and the interchanges takes more time to travel. Expect more traffic jams AT PEAK HOURS. i HAVE BEEN AT BUS STOPS THIS MORNING AND PEOPLE AGAIN WAITING FOR A BUS TO GO TO THEIR WORK LATE.

Mr Joe Caruana

Jul 4th 2011, 08:24

Shame on the 56 drivers who did not show up. They are sabotaging the service without any respect whatsoever for the travelling public. If the drivers continue with this sabotage, Arriva should sack them immediately.

Michael Tanti

Jul 4th 2011, 08:21

Any bus driver that does not show up for work should be Fired on the spot. There actions are just like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum when they cant have that new toy. They should have to cover up any tattoos and take out piercings and if they dont like it they can hand over there uniforms. You are not Making Arriva look Bad you are just proving how Spoiled you have been over the past 40 years with bad manners and rudeness

Mark Vella

Jul 4th 2011, 08:16

Arriva worked hard in the last months, and now they're hard work is being reflected badly by a number of bus drivers. These cowboy drivers should be dismissed, and Arriva should employ new drivers. I'm sure that there are a number of people who are willing to work as bus drivers for this new company.

DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,

Jul 4th 2011, 08:16

This is not fanatasism but this craze of having major institutions in our sovereign and independent State run by foreigners will prove a major disaster to our country and to our people, to our economy and to our overall well being.There is alot of psychology that has to be delved into, in this case about the nature of our public transport. The service always had alot of public complaints,it was subjected to strikes with maximum inconvenience to the people,increase in bus fares did not ameliorate the situation,some bus drivers were indeed a horrid illustration of civility,but it was maltese ``negotiating`` with maltese and based on the maxim that national confraternity finally attained a working outcome,this unsatisfactory service managed to hold on.
As with Air Malta,and other vital local institutions,this country is selling its soul to foreigners who definitely are investing alot,but our national identity is being lost in the meanwhile.This is going to lead to very serious public outcry as our pride in sovereignty and independence is being fast eroded.All hope for a solution in the public interest,but let us not forget that Malta welcomes all with a reminder that the Maltese in their country are the hosts and ultimately direct and dictate what occurs in our country.

WELCOME ALL - DOWNTRODDEN BY NO FOREIGNERS HOWEVER !!

Alex Falzon

Jul 4th 2011, 08:13

Just sack the absent drivers without any hesitation!

Mr Ernest Vella

Jul 4th 2011, 08:12

L-istrajk mhux gustifikat ghax il-GWU lahqet ftehim ma l-Arriva, u dawn li ma dahlux ghax-xoghol ma dahlux min jeddhom mela ghandhom jitkeccew, u jsir mezz biex dawn il-haddiema ma jkunux fuq scale 1 ta l-ETC ghax b'mod kapricuzz ma dahlux. Jiena lbierah sibt servizz tajjeb kemm mix-xufier u kif ukoll bhala vjagg, mela l-problemi li hemm minhabba l-kapricci ta xi nies li ma jridux jahdmu.

Mr Joshua Attard

Jul 4th 2011, 08:07

I want to give a very big well done to all the drivers and workers who are working hard to make things work. Shame on the some that want to make trouble, If they dont like it they should leave... the issue is not about working conditions alone ! Of course these are teething troubles , they were expected up to some extent, of a service on this level.

Mr Joe Micallef

Jul 4th 2011, 08:06

Hope they are fired ceremoniously!!!!

guido cutajar

Jul 4th 2011, 08:02

Hadd ma ghandu jikkonfondi. Dawn affarijiet normali ghal Malta. Imbaghad ikun hemm xi bravu/a u jghejdlek li Maltese gemgem. Jekk Alla sallabna b`nies bziezel u kull ma imissu ibezzluh, mhux bil fors tgorr. Ilhom xhur jippreparaw fuq jippreparaw, nigu ghal fatti............Kaos... Ghal dawn l-ahhar 20 sena, kieku sar progett kapitali u ma kienx fih it tahwid. Insomma, Kellu ragun Gonzi P.N meta qal " Taht il P.N. kollox possibbli ", u veru ta......Nixtieq nistaqsi ...Mela drivers bl`ezatt ser ihaddmu ? Issa jekk ikun hemm xi hadd minnhom sick, tal festa, jew ikun irid imur ghal kacca, x`ser nghamlu ?

Carmel Xuereb

Jul 4th 2011, 08:00

Kawlata ta' Austin Gatt ix-xufiera hadu l-parir tieghu u minfok tkeccew irrezinjaw. Ara dawk jafu xi tfisser il-kelma RIZENJA imma Austin Gatt u shabu ma jafux. Il-haddiem iz-zghir qed juri lil gvern li kapci jghid le jiena m'inhiex lest li nigi manipulat. Issa biex l-Arriva ssib izjed xufiera trid ittejjeb il-kundizzjonijiet ghax inkella ghar minn qabel se nispiccaw, u minflok Arriva se jkollna Arrivederci. Sur Gatt din state of the art ohra minn tieghek.

Maruska Agius

Jul 4th 2011, 07:59

Monday, July 4, 2011, 07:06
Arriva warns of more delays after 56 drivers don't show up

However the situation appeared to improve by 8.30 a.m. and an Arriva spokesman said the company was managing to put more buses on the routes.

And it is still 07:59am!!!

Anthony A. Mifsud

Jul 4th 2011, 07:59

I dont want to sound negative but,"Il vestitto no fa il Monaco" we just need to change this whole mentality
Tony

Mr wenzu montesin

Jul 4th 2011, 07:59

we've heard different versions of the same situation, from different conditions to those agreed, to €35/day, to longer shift hours, to split shifts, long sleeves and pircings, etc...

bottom line - there is no union directive for industrial action and still some drivers or individuals decide to take law in their hands and protest by not showing up to work. if i had not to show up at work cause i want to work less hours i would be fired and so should these!!!

this group of 56 individuals is causing an inconvience for:
1- many other maltese who cannot get to work cause of no buses or running late
2 - those who would normally take the bus but today opted to drive causing significant traffic
3 - a bad reputation on arriva who is trying to run its operations
4 - an even more stressful working situation for their colleagues covering up for them
5 - giving a message to tourists in malta how selfish the maltese are

thank you drivers!!!!

Mr Michael Camileri

Jul 4th 2011, 07:57

Those who are 'not genuine' are simply putting more pressure on their colleagues. If they intended on working for Arriva, ever?
Suspiciously feels like a sabotage attempt by disgruntled old service employees, People of Malta seem to be pro Arriva lads... so, quit the games and get on with it.

Ms C Bartolo

Jul 4th 2011, 07:53

If even their union is in agreement with the employers then are these drivers out of their minds? Do they have the "luxury" of being laid off?

Mr Hamish Dempster

Jul 4th 2011, 07:52

With Arriva now in Place , i should think that this should emiliorate the sevice , if not by the service, then by its appearance, comfort, courtsy, etc . Howver , i wish to point out to Mr aAustin Gatt that although we have gained the above we still have and will still have the same problem, STRIKES!!!! So realy there is still the same old problem , only under a different flag and will continue to haunt you whereever you hide. Good luck to Arriva and hope you dont end up like the out going predecessors.

Darren Muscat

Jul 4th 2011, 07:48

Now is the time do deal with these drivers who didn't turn up for work. The service might not be perfect & the conditions not yet optimal, but Arriva already said that things will get better with new timetables. If they are not willing to give a new service a chance, and they will be kept on... What will happen is that with every kink in the service, they will be no-shows, and that just can't happen!

Mr Neville A Cassar

Jul 4th 2011, 07:47

3 Strikes warning.... and you`re out !

Discuss with the union and arriva... but failure to turn up for work is no excuse !

Mr Peter Murray

Jul 4th 2011, 07:46

I would take a "dim view"of introducing a new roster immediately prior to a new service commencing operations.Surely the employees working conditions and hours of work must have been thrashed out before signing any contract of employment and I for one cant fathom out how this nonsense came about.

Joseph Magro

Jul 4th 2011, 07:45

One mess after the other.

Martin Buttigieg

Jul 4th 2011, 07:42

This morning at 06.28am I was on an Arriva Bus Stop at Hamrun and when the Arriva Bus came, the driver did not park close to the padestrain like they were instructed, the bus was warm most probably with the aircondition switched OFF, and the driver did not sell me a 7 day ticket instead he told me to buy from Valletta. the cost of this bus cost me Euro1.50 instead of 94c ( old service ). Now who is going to take action ?.

John Scerri

Jul 4th 2011, 07:40

Drivers not turning up !!! ...no problem ....dismiss them immediately..... they are still under probation and take in the new recruits.

This new service will NOT become another weapon in the hands of a few in order to frustrate the public.

Those who will not abide to the company rules should be removed from the company payroll .

Much has been done for the success of this transition....and commuters are putting the blame on Arriva and the Govt.

This is not fare.

Mr john pizzuto

Jul 4th 2011, 07:33

That goes to show that Bulldozer Tactics are no longer in fashion.
Does'nt Minister Gatt ever learn?
Do you still think we are living in 17th century Gozo?
You once said you are going to pack up. THE SOONER THE BETTER

Mandy Spiteri

Jul 4th 2011, 07:30

Sack the lot of them! There are plenty of people willing to work!

Malcolm Mizzi

Jul 4th 2011, 07:27

well honestly I hope that these drivers are dismised now before tomorrow. get new drivers that are willing to work on and remove the rubish old drivers from our roads.

Mr Joseph Calleja

Jul 4th 2011, 07:23

You hire a boy to do a man's job and that is what happens. Fire the whole lot.