Up to 180 Arriva drivers did not report for work this week

f mangion

Jul 10th 2011, 23:21

That a significant number of people who signed contracts didn't honour their commitments hit us hard...
SORRYYYY?????????? that significant number of people who signed contracts and didnt honour their commitments hit YOU HARD?????? what about the employees who signed the contract and then YOU didnt honour your commitments?!?!?!?! im sorry but a contract works both ways!!!! an employee signed up for a shift, my boyfriend signed up for a shift from 6am till 1 pm which was given out as an option!! today they called him saying he has to work from 6am till 12:30 am !!! 18 hrs!! if it hit u hard that employees did not turn up for work, its your own damn fault!! if u respected the contract, every single driver would have turned up!!! ARRIVA MY ASS!!!!!!!!

C Muscat

Jul 10th 2011, 18:39

listess tku n il pjaga!!!!

Mr Carmel Pule'

Jul 10th 2011, 14:33

I wonder if some reduntant Air Malta Pilots would care to drive the Arriva busses. Obviously they would need training as they do not have the automatic pilot George to switch to during most of their flights and all the ILS systems and electronics to enable them to reach home.They are neither ticket collectors having to look for coin changes! And anyway driving a big bus on Maltese roads is just as dangerous as flying and more tiresome surely, though the powered steering may help a little, but navigating those close turns every few seconds are worse than flying suely. I think they should try it and give us their opinion.
Once the chief pilot of Air lingus in his retirement party speech said the following. " I am a lucky man, for in my time, sex was safe and flying rather dangerous, but now it is the other way around!"
At University I always thought that we could do with a miniature automatic railway which goes around the campus unmanned stopping automatically at certain points where passengers mah hop on and off as required. At University of Newcastle we had lifts like that . I suppose buses could eventually be like that.

Mr francis darmanin

Jul 10th 2011, 14:05

Some people commenting here seem to think that not turning up for work is a crime. Sorry but it's not. It's the right of every worker to decide whether to turn up for work or not. Of course if you do not turn up for work for a valid reason (e.g. sick or vacation leave) then there is a price to pay. But that's your choice and nobody else's. Furthermore as far as I know the first few months of a new employment are termed "probation" and during this term of probation the employer may sack the employee without much of a reason. I guess it works both ways. In the olden days workers (they alled them serfs or slaves) had to turn up for work whether they agreed with the conditions or not. Things have since changed and workers have certain rights. As regards workers' obligations these are usually commensurate with their salary. But really for 9500 a year what can one expect??? I'm amazed that anyone actually applied for this job.

G Hoare

Jul 10th 2011, 13:17

US MALTESE PEOPLE HAVE TO DO IS ONE THING,Stop moaning and act,wether you like it or NOT arriva is here to STAY ,we moaned aginst the old bus drivers because we had good resons they treated us like pigs and they acted like KIngs of the road . NOW WE have ARRIVA ,half the drivers are decent and the other half is the same old riff raff so carry on and what will happen is that the English and Portuges driver like Malta so much they will keep the jobs and the Maltese will lose out... What makes me laugh is the alot of the old bus stops never had shelters, yet since ARRIVA took over everbody is moaning regarding that not enough shelters .
2 DAYS ago i was told that i must have shares in Arriva as I defend the company in conversation ,hands on heart I dont , Me and my Family lost out on a job woith Arriva as my Husband does not speak Maltese , but hey that was the policy when my husband applied for the job ,

Ms Lucia Davies

Jul 10th 2011, 10:37

I was trying to get a bus from the airport to Floriana two days ago, The heat was tremendous in the afternoon and NO SHELTERS. but what annoyed me most was the attitude of one of the arriva helpers there. he was talking to a group of people about a programe on TV, Disset to be exact, it was obvious he was talking against Minister Austen Gatt, which is ok it is his right but not on the job,, than because a lady mentioned the buses parked in Marsa and why they are not being used and I happened to answer her that it is because they do not have enough drivers and more had not entered work that day, he became offensive towards me telling me to shut up and I do not know anything. well I got upset and said to him he has no right to shout at me he was there to help me not to point out his political views. anyway another worker came and calmed things down and send him away,, Please Arriva note more training in attitude and temper please,

R Durante

Jul 10th 2011, 09:58

Quote *Up to 180 drivers did not report for work with Arriva last week, the company said in its latest update. More than half of them, it said, were from the old regime.* unquote and the other half were from the new regime, so can the Minister and management continue to blame this cock up on the ex drivers purposely wanting to ground Arriva. A restructuring of the old bus service indeed was long overdue, however who would have thought that the old villain drivers would now be seen as heroes, it seems we were better off when we were worse off.
It was all smiles and drinks all round for the glitterarti by the birthing crib but some births are more painful then others and the expected baby ready to sprint on his Achillean heels turned out to be a Medusaen monster.
When all the fanfare of the launch is taken away one is left only with aggravation and arrogance all round. In the UK people complain and expect compensation for much less, the Maltese in their centuries old stoic fashion have already coined a joke " waiting for Arriva ? non Arriva " take away the rhetoric of Arriva's management and you are left with nothing tangible.
One can write and discuss no end on how to improve the service, it will fall on deaf ears, A lot of tax payer's money has been poured into this mess already and more will over the years to come. We were subsidising a monopoly and find ourselves subsidising another with decisions taken summarily over everyone's heads by a government and a minister known for his bulldozing antics.
It is high time we see some action taken. Arriva is not delivering the goods, fire Arriva. We have espoused the market economy - with privitisation if you do not deliver you get fired. Ultimately the responsibility lies at the minister's door.
On a lighter note, lets for one day bring back the old buses with the sulky, tattooed and swearing drivers and show Arriva how it is done, and we will even use to day's jargon and call it consultancy.

Mr joe briffa

Jul 10th 2011, 09:47

Why are the maltese so afraid and deadly scared of change??I guess its very normal that if one does not turn up for work without any valid reason,should always be fired,especially when breaking the contracts.
You know what I really think,I think that they are doing everything to disrupt the running of the new system,even with vandalism on things the maltese people have paid for including the buses,so how would one expect a system to run good?? Give them a good penalty,they deserve.
I hope that soon even the Karozzin would be obsolete from our roads,or at least remain in Valletta area only,this is not a tradition it is primitive,and filthy

Mr Adrian Sciberras

Jul 10th 2011, 09:04

look at some real buses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypXE98jzg_Y&feature=share

overseen by our ministers and Arriva

Fran Abela

Jul 10th 2011, 08:51

The Arriva Saga: Judging by the majority of the comments it is obvious that there are some people who are totally against having a new bus system in Malta and they are doing everything possible to upset things so that the service will not be able to operate . I suppose that is their choice if they prefer the old system and all that went with it. However, please all of you try to tone down your comments and take into consideration that you are jeopardising the employment of over 400 MALTESE and they could be out of a job if Arriva decides to close shop - something which I am certain they will not do. Lest I be misunderstood certainly people can criticise the system where the network/routes were not worked out properly and no doubt this matter should be addressed sooner than later. It is better to have routes that everyone is happy about, although admittedly one cannot please everyone. Even with the past transport services there were people who complained about not having a bus service in their area. So finally I appeal to all people of goodwill to try and cooperate and not let matters go from bad to worse. After all it is also in the interest of all commuters to have a proper bus service.

Mr William Pierce

Jul 10th 2011, 08:46

What is the only disgrace is the behaviour of the old Maltese drivers. The Civilised portion of the poplace wanted these morons gone for good but it seems Arriva made the mistake of employing them to drive when all they are fit for is a spell behind bars. I dont mean prison but in a Zoo where they can be put on show to the Civilised World. They really are disgusting creatures.

Fran Abela

Jul 10th 2011, 08:45

Question: Was this bus licenced to be on the road ? If it is licenced, no further comment on my part.

Mr Joseph Grima

Jul 10th 2011, 08:32

this may not be an original comment. It is one that has appeared in these columns but, in my opinion, bears repeating. Why not give an opportunity to immigrants currently in Malta to be trained as drivers? This would not only be a humanitarian decision, but also a chance for immigrants to find immediate work which is a serious problem for them. It will also be an opportunity to restore some dignity to these people.

Louis Baldacchino

Jul 10th 2011, 08:01

Students of business managment shall be studying this change !

Old habits die hard - we still have drivers stopping 2 metresaway from the pavment, drive off from a bus stop without switching the indicator, stpping commuters not on a bust stop, excusing themselves with commuters to stop and buy a coke, thinking that own the road - I came across all this in a day.

I just hope that at Arriva they pull up their socks as we cannot go back to the old service - not even near!

Where is Mr. Delia ?

Mr David Willow

Jul 10th 2011, 07:46

"And if they didn't understand the contract they were signing, more fool them."

I think Arriva DID understand their contract but the malti bus drivers DID NOT hence they DID NOT turn up for work...An employement contract allways has a grievance procedure to follow in order to resolve any disputes which they didnt follow - they preferred to withdraw their labour and not even bother to turn up - so where is their loyalty to the great malti public.. i will tell you...it doesnt exist and it never has. just remember that Arriva resolved the issue over the split shift rosterung and payment issue within 24-48 hours thats pretty damned good by anyone standards....yet still more and more malti drivers didnt turn up for work. arrive tried very very hard to recruit malti speaking drivers and to be honest theyre are pretty limited arent they - other nationals were considered and most were rejected on grounds of their inability to speak malti...... so what do you lot expect from them when your own dont bother to turn up for contractualy bound work.... well all i can say is if you want to work - turn up for it - if you dont go abck to bed and count your money for your old bus......

Mr Lawrence Fenech

Jul 10th 2011, 07:02

Old regime my foot. They were drivers who woke up every morning at six to serve the entire maltese population and thousands of tourist who admired our buses and took replicas home as a souvenier. They worked in our narraw and not so even roads till 11.00 at night and at most times did not see their families all day long. Hallina Arriva.

Leonard Schembri

Jul 10th 2011, 04:51

Reduce the price of the service until everything is running up to clockwork. This is least that we expect after all the hype that Arriva promised us.

Mr Mike Rotch

Jul 10th 2011, 02:18

""From management DOWN to drivers"

Down?

And then thanking the drivers who went beyond their call of duty.

A whiff of colonial narcissism?

Makes you wonder why your drivers are leaving in droves.

Charlie Mallia

Jul 10th 2011, 01:14

What a mess by Arriva there is no other way to say it SHAME ON YOU AMATEURS BIG TIME poor Maltese commuters as always have to settle for second best.

Mr Joseph Scerri

Jul 10th 2011, 01:07

Today at about 730pm i was at the Valletta terminus on platform 13 to take the bus 91 to Fgura.
After a big while waiting a bus came along. People started boarding the bus and in no time the bus was full.
The lady driver started shouting "din inkliet ghal-Alla qawn." There was a Korean Lady just boared the bus and the driver told her "You Out!!". I asked the driver where is her customer care because she must told her "sorry the bus is full, can you please wait for the next bus " u mela "You Out".
The driver told me li waqnek titlifa il-customer care.
Arriva please note.

Dunstan Camilleri

Jul 10th 2011, 00:52

Dear Sir.
I humbly sugest if you want to get the ball running you have to refer to the old system which was adopted from the traffic police which used to control the the Public transport does day's and then it was adopted by the present authority please as a citizen of Malta and I konw what I am saying do reframe with this new system and consualt with the local Malta Police for guideness and the newly Transport Malta representive. Good luck and I wish the best for my country and my fellow country men who shall earn a decent living.(And also to Arriva. God bless you all.)
Dunstan.P.Camilleri.

Marika Doublet

Jul 10th 2011, 00:35

Do you think they might have planned it? Maybe they knew all along, when they signed the contract, that they would not be turning up for work. Don't you think it's their style? They never were very professinal anyway, so how could they honour a contract in a professional way?

Let's hope the delays are just teething trouble. On a more positive note, I love the new buses. Great airconditioning. More spacious. Smooth ride. What about the numbers and routes at bus stops? the old regime had plenty of time to introduce those but never did. So they thought they were kings of the road and might is right. On the new route from my area..am quite pleased. Coming from someone who is quite attached to her car, I've already ditched the car for the bus to get me to quite a few places.

I also hope that frequency will improve according to Arriva's plans and something will be done about sun and rain shelter. Our sun really is quite ruthless. Otherwise we'll all have to start going out with parasols or wide-brimmed hats.

Best of luck. I'm still very positive about the new system! Don't give up just yet arriva!!

Adrian Williams

Jul 10th 2011, 00:32

Many years ago the Maltese were awarded the George Cross for bravery from King George V , it took team work bravery and pressure . It was something to be proud of and rightly so

Buses are the life line to the whole Island and the Maltese win along with every visitor to the Island when they work well , the old busses were critised along with the drivers daily . The Goverment took charge and have tried to change it for the better .. The only people that will suffer from failure are the Maltese .. Each and every one should be ashamed of the drivers that have not turned up and shown the WORLD how bad their work ethic is , the drivers took the job, they knew the deal now they want the old regime back after trying to hold a company to ransom !!!

No one should be proud of this, it is showing the world how bad working practices and militence is in Malta . No matter what the reason a contarct is a contract . Failing to turn up for work is pathetic . It lets every one down, including the public .Arriva are a company they will survive , but will the repuation Malta has ? ... I doubt it ,,, I am looking in from outside its a shame others cant see what the world is seeing about Malta these days ... Suffice to say you work ethics are in question

james zammit

Jul 10th 2011, 00:02

Ara l-Malti pulcinell ghax sa ftit ilu min kien juza l--karozzi tal-linja kien jitkaza bl-attitudni tax-xufier issa ghax din l-attitudni nbidlet QED INGERGRU/ Jien nissugherixx biex jittrenjaw l-klandestini u jaghtuhom x-xoghol li zgur jahtfu u l-maltin keccuhom ghax issa zzejjed u ma nafx kif ghazluhom nies illitterati din il-kwalita.

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Jul 10th 2011, 00:01

I have no sympathy with the old cowboy type of bus driver. However let me now put a word for the dedicated courteous bus driver of which we see many on the new buses. One of these newly recruited drivers now has the responsibility of a bus which in the case of the bendy ones costs a quarter of a million euros and not much less for the others. He is expected to navigate inner town streets not intended for buses of this size, often with inches to spare from an expensive scrape, he has to work over inconvenient hours and all this for a paltry wage. To be honest I feel he requires much more constant concentration and attention and personal skills than an airline pilot who most of the time flies his plane on autopilot and does no additional duties such as issuing tickets and having to often face difficult passengers. Yet the airline pilot with AirMalta is paid about ten times as much as a bus driver with Arriva. Something is wrong here if we want professional bus drivers.

Mr Slim Bartolo

Jul 10th 2011, 00:00

G'day i don't really know what the fuss is all about except the money part of it, myself i would rather go back to the old system, a dirty smelly driver with a toe rag in his mouth and picking his nose with one hand and using the mobile with the other, spmetimes rude now and then but what the hell, we still used to get from A to B a bit of music thrown in free of charge. i miss all that, don't know about the new La Di Das, but lets face it you are not ready yet to progress. All habits die hard as they say.

Stephen Vella

Jul 9th 2011, 23:25

"Up to 180 Arriva drivers did not report for work this week"

Pay with peanuts and you get monkeys, good luck in finding more monkeys Arriva.

Mr Charles.C. Brown

Jul 9th 2011, 23:25

HELLO Mr Bastow!! In a meeting with the privious drivers with the majority of them discribed by to public as " the lowest of the low" I heared you saying a few days ago that they are a good bunch! SOME GOOD BUNCH THEY ARE!!!!

Mr John Camillleri

Jul 9th 2011, 23:17

It's crystal clear: An amount of bus drivers of the old system wanted to sabotage the new system. It seems that they succeeded. Apart from being dismissed from the new company's employment, will any legal procedures be taken against them for disrupting one of the main services in our country?

Ms maria aquilina

Jul 9th 2011, 23:04

The bus drivers are wasting time giving out tickets to the numerous persons boarding the bus. That is one reason why the buses are taking so long to arrive at destination. Tickets must be bought before boarding. If there are not enough ticketing machines we should be able to buy tickets from the newsagent for example.The driver's job should be driving the bus and concentrating n the road ahead.

Harley Fallows

Jul 9th 2011, 22:47

The Bus Company Arriva Works in every other part of england and runs well now it comes to Malta, does that not say something to you all ? Its Malta and mostly the bus drivers to blame not the company.

The bus drivers not showing up to work is a disgrace, i do not care who you are but when providing a public service you DO NOT just not turn up to work, and your first day with a new company as well ?
If you have a problem with the working hours turn up to work then take it up with your boss.

Does these people have no respect for the public and other people ....i can answer that myself and its NO.

The old maltese bus drivers are the rudest people i have every come across, personally talking on the mobile and stopping to get something to eat when you have just had a half an our stop of and made no attempt to grab a bite to eat them, means they have none of my respect.

Im glad they have all lost there jobs now, they dont deserve a job and to be paid for something they are not even doing right.

Arriva have never had this problem before, the cause of all of this are the old bus drivers.

So thank you for now making us have to wait an hour or 2 for a bus.

jonathan galea

Jul 9th 2011, 22:42

Do Arriva drivers get a break to eat, one driver was driving with one hand and busy holding his lunch with the other while driving.

Anthony Pace

Jul 9th 2011, 22:40

What will they do now that the Fiesta season is in full swing and ubder the old system buses used to go around. The new buses are too big to meander around some of the narrow streets of Balzan and Lija.

The whole thing is a farce starting with the PM and his faithful entourage who will be in opposition for the next twenty years. Yes 2o years. They did not learn their lesson. Arrogance Dr Gatt! Arrogance Dr Gonzi!

I wouldn't be surprised if the MLP would sweep the NP clear with a big majority this time of about 10 seats.

Sam Brown

Jul 9th 2011, 22:23

Why is route 91 to Marsascala stopping at stage near Grabiel soon after entering via Zabbar, when it should go around in the direction to St Thomas tower then St Thomas bay and Tal-Mahluq as listed on the Arriva internet site?
In the process it is cutting some 5000 peoples of its grid. Or else one have to wait much longer and wait for other bus routes and paying twice for the same route.

Alison Micallef

Jul 9th 2011, 22:20

Three factors caused this mess.
1. Whoever decided that only Maltese speakers could be recruited, ignoring the fact that most Maltese do not want to drive buses.
2. Hopelessly optimistic journey times on the timetables. The airport to Mater Dei in 15 minutes at 17.45, - presumerably that leg of the journey is by Airmalta.
3. Ridiculously long routes, for example the 41 which amalgamates the old 45 with the 48 and then claims to do it faster. It took me 2 hours to go from Msida valley road to Cirkewwa, according to the timetable it should be done in one hour, yet we had no delay nor heavy traffic. It just cannot be done.
Bugibba and Qawra should have their own circular route which transfers onto a direct bus at Mosta Road. Passengers coming from Valletta do not want to tour Bugibba and Qawra and in any case the bus is already full and unable to pick up anyone else.

Roy Schembri

Jul 9th 2011, 22:17

So Mr Bastow / Dr Gatt. Let us take your excuses for what they are.

You blame the drivers that walked away. First there were 40, then 50 then 70 or so, then 'scores' then around 100 and now lo and behold 'up to 180' . At this rate Mr Bastow we will reach the total workforce by the end of next week! But that aside lets look back to last week.

At the last minute (the day before drivers started) your company handed out pieces of paper to employees changing their hours and times of work. Some employees found they couldn't work those hours and decided not to start work. That's not so good. You then increased the rate to cover for these hours but still some employees could not work. Well yes you might blame the employee for not starting work but what about the risk you took ? Leaving it to the last minute to tell employees meant that surely not all of them could comply with the changes in conditions.

Why didn't you tell the employees at the time when you compiled the timetables and schedules - perhaps a month before, or as we think deeper about this, perhaps a year before when you costed the contract for tender. Because people on here would like to know if these costings included 8 hour working or did they only allow for split shift working ? Which is it to be Mr Barstow ? Dr Gatt ? Dr Gonzi? Well lets give you the benefit of the doubt and say it was costed on split shift working. Surely then you could have told the employees sooner as that way you'd have had sufficient time to recruit replacements, in particular the many you turned away. It was reported in The Times that the vacancies attracted a huge number of applicants, so you had plenty time and scope for replacements?

I'm afraid Mr Barstow you're offering a convenient excuse and tarnishing the good name of Maltese workers by doing so. Dr Gatt, Dr Gonzi, you've failed on a matter absolutely critical to the efficient working of this country and well-being of its people. Do the decent thing and please go now.

Anthony Pace

Jul 9th 2011, 22:13

180 drivers represent 40% of their workforce drivers did not turn up.

Temporary drivers can only stay in the country for a month especially as they have to be licensed. They don't speak maltese and need Arriva helpers/conductors on the bus to guide them through the streets.

Maris Micallef

Jul 9th 2011, 22:12

Today was my first day , using the Arriva bus service. The bus was fully air conditioned which was good, but I waited 45 minutes in the sun for the bus to St.Julian's (from Qawra Terminus) (I arrived 10 minutes late for a job interview) which is very inconvenient.
I had to sit near the emergency exit because all of the buses were full. On my way back to Qawra from St.Julian's, I waited another hour in the hot sun. The time duration of the trip between the two destinations was just about the same as the old system , but still I have noticed that the routes are all mixed up and the chaos is totally unnecessary, not to mention the very angry tourists that decided to leave the bus stage because there were no buses at all and couldn't figure out which bus number to take ( No arriva helpers in sight @ St.Julian's/Paceville stage)

But mostly , just like many other people have said before me. There was absolutely no need for this change. All we needed were new buses , with air-conditioning systems and night services.
May I also add , if I am not mistaken, that the new Arriva service was supposed to be offering 24hr bus service everyday! which is totally not the case.

The routes were perfectly fine and I always got to my destination on time.

As for the rude drivers.... No they weren't pleasant to deal with, but some of them were really nice too.
If there was a problem with the drivers, the Maltese government should dealt with it.

Please do something about these routes as soon as possible, there are many people who do not drive and need to ride the bus everyday to go to work. People are losing money because of this problem and employees may also lose their jobs for arriving late everyday.

Change the routes back to the way they were, it's the only solution.

Joseph Goerge Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 22:10

So according to a lot of intelligent contributors residents of St catherine's Home, Government Housing and surroundings should blame the previous drivers and saboteurs for not having a bus service at all.

Sue De Nym

Jul 9th 2011, 21:53

This fiasco is not because of the drivers..... perhaps the Minister for transport should have done some proper research.

http://travel.ciao.co.uk/Reviews/Arriva__94832/Start/0

Mr Joseph Calleja

Jul 9th 2011, 21:50

Let us fix the bus routings first and the rest will take care of itself. No more scenic routes through the streets of the inner cities. Go back to the old routes and start from there. They worked before and will work even better now. Go ahead Arriva, give it a try and do not listen MOT. The buses are great, the drivers not bad except for the old obnoxious ones, BUT THE NEW SCENIC ROUTES THROUGH THE INNER CITIES MUST GO. I am sure most people will agree.

Mr Joseph Calleja

Jul 9th 2011, 21:42

U ajma zaqqi keem ksuhat!

Gordon Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 21:30

GWU is a ferocios lion were it comes to the public sector and a tamed puppet when it comes to the private sector.

J. Sultana

Jul 9th 2011, 21:26

Cut the crap ARRIVA and admit that you failed.

Around 180 drivers did not turn up - so, is this a cummulative number of absences, or is it a total of drivers who at least once failed to turn up for work ?
Of these, how many failed to turn up for work due to the fact that they were informed for a total change in their working hours less than 12 hours before, or worse still, were listed on the roster but your staff did not manage to contact them and inform them of changes ?
And if half of the 180 were from the old system (which means 90 out of the chosen 100) and maybe these did not turn up for work simply for sabotage, because they are bullies, because they still think they can rule and decide themselves, etc and you only employed them because Dr. Gatt forced you to with the 10-year employment guarantee clause, how do you explain that the remainder of the 180 - another 90 (out of around 450) who were totally new recruits and probably didn`t have a better job also did not turn up ? There must be some root cause which you are either missing out or purposely ignoring, no ?(stress, fear of driving, poor conditions, deceiving contracts, etc etc).

Worse still, most of the problems are not driver related. If your buses keep getting stuck in streets where two of them can`t pass at the same time in opposite directions - such as Mrabat street, or have trouble going up Manwel Dimech Street when full with passengers, having a full complement of drivers wouldn`t solve it. If you keep getting stuck in Balluta , another 180 drivers wouldn`t solve it.

If you can`t even get an electronic display board working properly on a bus (what has an IT system to do with it ?? Can`t these be individually controlled from the display itself ??) it has nothing to do with 180 drivers missing, and the fact that people have to keep asking each bus driver where is the bus going to due to having only 3 x A4 papers on the windscreen is not helping either.

And have you ever heard about FLEXIBILTY ? I don`t think so, if even the most basic item in the service and which surely should be able to work on all routes designed for it - THE BUS - is designed to be unflexible due to the large stickers on the sides which show the routes. Having a bus in one part of Malta showing the destination on its side of routes which are not even from the same bus depot shows the short-sightedness of your fleet management department !! If buses would still need to be used where they are needed (and that`s how it should be), then these stickers should have never been done.

Now wonder that this lack of flexibilty is then also present with the drivers. Why should one group of drivers know "by heart" a small number of routes but then know absolutely nothing about the others ? And why should ARRIVA use this excuse to justify the delays ? Hello !! Its 2011 ! Have you ever heard of GPS devices ? Couldn`t a number of these , with the routes pre-stored on them be available ?

And what about the cleanliness of the buses ? Some of them were is a very shameful state from the exterior this morning on the St. Julian`s routes, as if they were stored in some building site or quarry.

Stop the excuses ARRIVA..... DELIVER !!

I bet that 90% of those who are defending Arriva and Austin Gatt in this thread have never boarded an Arriva bus because they find it easier to use their cars and drive through town centres and narrow streets as a shortcut rather than travelling using ARRIVA which even if it was to be punctual has seen point-to-point trip times increase by at least 50% on most destinations.

Roberta Sciberras

Jul 9th 2011, 21:23

What follows is a comment posted on Times of Malta.com on May 19th. I think it is self explanatory:

Emanuel Seguna
May 19th, 20:41
Jien tfajt l-applikazjoni biex nahdem ma din il-kumpanija kont looking foward li issejhuli biex immur ghal interview. U il-gurnata ta' l-interview waslet , sala mimlija nies ghamluna prensentation fejn fija spjegaw ftit fuq l-arriva u xoghol. Wara Qaluna minhu imhajar li jahdem bhala xuffier jibqa hawn ghal interview. Ghadejt minhu ukoll. Imma xhin wasalt id-dar u qadt nahseb rigward il-kundizjonijiet kollha indunajt mhux worth it ghaliex :

1) Bhala Paga Lm1.60 is-siegha f'idejna (Ir-rata tibqa l-istess ghas shift tal-weekends)
2) Roaster li fija hdud u festi li fijhom granet bl-split shifts tahdem filghodu tmur id-dar u wara jerga imisek xoghol.
3) I-haddiema ha jahdmu ma 45hrs fil-gimgha biex fl-ahhar ta' xahar jaqbdu inqas min 700 euro.
4) Tali ha jitrenjawom l-arriva u jghinhuom biex igibu il-licenzja D ha jintrabtu bi clausola li jekk jitilqu qabel sena ha ikollom Charge ta' 1000 Euro li kull xahar tinzel bi pro rata.

Jien din il- Clausola kienet l-iktar wahda li rabtitni ghax jien it-training kont ha nghamlu biex nahdem ghal kumpanijia taghhom il bqija ma kellix bzonn din il-licenzja.Qalluli u hija hu riskju. Mhux lest nihu riskju ta somma fejn il-paga li ghandi hija minima. Ghandi dubji tieghi kemm il haddiema ha ikunu kuntenti b'dawn il-kundizzjonijiet.Apparti minhekk ta' min isemmi li l-anqas ghandom depot lest u dalwaqt jibdew. Inhoss li il haddiem kellu jigi it tratat ahjar u mhux paga minima

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jul 9th 2011, 21:18

Marketing is about producing a good product to satisfy the needs and aspirations of the consumer packaged in a nice bundle.Such business can never fail.

A product made to maximize profits,wrapped in fancy package and well advertised but ignores what the public really wants might have a lucky launch but it will bust in the long term.

What we are seeing is a new fancy service which the people rejected from day one. The people want a user friendly service with a logical route network which had been tried and tested and proved to be preferred. Anything short of that.........

Mr Carmel Pule'

Jul 9th 2011, 21:15

Arriva drivers are not the only employees who do not report to work. On five different court sessions, I did not go to University for I was arrested and forced to attend the local courts at 9.00 am and then waited through 10-00, 11-00, 12.00 and even later when the session was deferred. This meant that 40 students lost the lesson or laboratory three hour sessions, that means 4*41*5 that is 820 man hours lost, and if one callculates my travelling time, the number of hours lost due to the inefficiency of court sessions was about 1000 man hours. No it is not only Arriva that is inefficient in Malta, just look around you and study how many people serve the public in an efficient way. Please look in all corners and investigate how many people have a two or three FULL time jobs hence two or three full time salaries. If I knew this was permitted, I would have done the same. It is more lucrative in Malta not to bear allegance to one's employer, it seems, and neither it is worth while respecting the local courts, because in my 40 years of trying to respect the courts, it never respected me back. Minister of Justice please note well, and if you care to meet me I shall give you the exact details and the magistrates who did not respect me.

Reg Alfour

Jul 9th 2011, 21:07

It can't be too long now before Arriva throw in the towel can it?

If they couldn't employ enough drivers from our island with the ample time and publicity given, they never will. And they can't go on forever plugging gaps using temporary drivers from other parts of Europe - who certainly don't speak Maltese. They claim they are recruiting more - but how many of those will actually make the grade, or stick with it? Soon they will resort to employing anyone with a pulse.

And if they didn't understand the contract they were signing, more fool them. After all, they claim they are global experts in their field. They are only here to make a profit, and it is already quite clear that they will make a sizeable loss due to bringing in overseas drivers at double-rate, plus shipping in numerous stop-gap buses from the UK, some of which aren't even air-conditioned. And how do the indigenous drivers feel knowing their English compatriots are being paid a lot more?

So, congratulations to Arriva. In one short week they have completely alienated themselves from the public and tourists alike.

The whole thing is a disgrace, and the government needs to step in NOW!

Mr John Montague

Jul 9th 2011, 20:41

A particular level of penalties were mooted in Ariva's favor as a result of Bisazza Street's pedestrianization.

What level of penalty is Arriva to pay the taxpayer who is paying the above for this level of service.

Robert Sammut

Jul 9th 2011, 20:39

Today I was driving to Golden Sands and noticed an Arriva bus displaying on the front monitor ' Xewkija , Victoria' . Is the Malta- Gozo tunnel already completed?

Joseph Sammut

Jul 9th 2011, 20:37

Arriva shouldn't be determined: it is obliged as per contract. Let's not start seeing things as doing us a favour.

Also I have just been stopped in the middle of the road by an Arriva bus in Transfiguration Avn, Lija, as the driver must have seen it fit to stop off stage to off load two passengers - twice because each descended separately: are we already going back to the old system!

D. Armeni

Jul 9th 2011, 20:16

Dear Mr Bastow,

Stop taking us as a bunch of stupid people, who know nothing about our country and blaming all this chaos you created on the drivers. The real thing is that the ARRIVA team was not prepared to start operating in our country. And here are some points I would like to share :

1. I phoned several times on the customer care number regarding bus routes and information and I received noooooo tangible answer. Taking note of what I said is not an answer and nothing happened.
2. Bus 125 is not even listed on Stage Mile End 1 bus stop but on your website there is a stop. (Check website please.)
3. Stage Parilja is still a pole with nothing on top of it.... ( no hurry to fix a stage. ) hence the English driver did not even bother to stop there. Should he?
4. If Bus 125 is circular, why isn't there an anticlockwise bus 125. To give an example as far as I know in London (UK) the Circle line train (Yellow line) has an anticlockwise train running the same route and I guess this applies to buses as well. So if I want to go to Valletta from Psaila Street (Santa Venera) I should first go to B'kara, Mater Dei, UOM, B'kara, Fleur de Lyes, Hamrun and from there catch another bus to Valletta as it goes only in one direction. Do you see any logic behind this???
5. Stages in Msida Valley Road show SWATAR (as locality) on top of them. (Isn't it another locality near San Gwann) Check it out yourself.
6. Stage Dud and Torri have swapped (since when we are changing localities and zones. Are we going to change village names as well now ? )
7. Why is it that NEW Buses STILL don't even have digital numbers on them. A paper number? We are living in the computer era as far as I know. Teething problems? They could have been well avoided from the start, by now they should have been solved. No?

There are many more things which should be addressed rather then excusing yourself for the delays and blaming it all on the drivers. These above are not related to lack of driver problems, are they? Please enlight us public if so?

It's been years since i haven't used the public transport, due to the Third World Country service delivered but now it would be a lot of time for me to switch on to public transport and hence this is not only my opinion.

ARRIVA. Please take note.

Claire Busuttil

Jul 9th 2011, 20:05

We are still suffering from the rudness of the old bus drivers......they still think they own the world.....
Arriva hold on tight please.....don`t be put down by these arrogant people.

Geoff Lovejoy

Jul 9th 2011, 20:04

I'm not surprised Mr Bastow is having problems if he comes out with comments like this -
''From management down to drivers, we are taking action, and are determined to fix this.''
Down to drivers is a little derogatory seeing as it's the Drivers who are struggling to keep things going. Management aren't having passengers screaming in their face after waiting ages for a bus.
After witnessing up to six Arriva 'Controllers/Managers' swarming around each vehicle as it enters Valletta's new bus station which then has the effect of bringing the entrance to a complete standstill, I have seen a double line of buses in this road and then a single line of buses in Sarria Street as far back as Sarria Church, all while the drivers get instructions shouted at them through the cab window.
While waiting for a number 62 bus on Monday at bay 10, controllers kept shouting at intending passengers to get onto the pavement - and rightly so, as the tarmac where the buses are is no place to be walking around - and then to my utter disbelief two controllers shouted for passengers to come onto the tarmac, round behind a bus - which had its engine running - and back down the other side of it, to board a bus on bay 12 - if you want passengers to stick to your rules then stick to them yourselves, move the bus to the correct stand - don't put passengers lives at risk in this ridiculous way!
I have also seen this gridlock happen at Marsa Park and Ride where six buses have been stopped inside, with the Arriva supervisory team running around like the proverbial headless chickens, the approach road is blocked with incoming buses add to that the four I saw waiting in Triq It - Tigrija resulting in complete chaos! In the excitement that all this caused I witnessed one driver pull out, hit an oncoming car, shout at the woman driving it to get out of the way and he then drove off!
Travel up to Bugibba and the controllers there seem much more relaxed, despite the fact that they are up against a loosing battle with either enough buses and not enough drivers or enough drivers and not enough buses - their words not mine.
I travelled on an articulated bus which broke down with door interlocking problems at the top of Sliema, the driver very commendably went to each set of doors and went through a process of opening and closing them and got the bus going again, it failed once again at Msida but this time he couldn't get it sorted and we all had to get off and wait for another bus, I thanked the driver on my way out - to his surprise, and he told me that it had happened twice before that morning and had managed to get it sorted on his own. I waited for the mass crowd to leave on the next couple of passing buses and then boarded another artic, this one had a join in the floor covering split open causing a trip hazard. On arrival in Valletta - 1 hour 43 minutes after leaving Bugibba - I was dropped in the road approaching the bus station (which was at a standstill) I walked past an articulated bus (which was also stuck in the gridlock) which had a cover missing below some seats near the rear doors, leaving some lethal looking wiring exposed!
The controllers on Gozo seemed to know what they were doing when I went over on Tuesday, so much so that when I told them what a good job they were doing in comparison to their colleagues on Malta they were extremely grateful for the appreciation. Buses were entering and leaving the bus station without the welcoming committee that is witnessed in Malta's bus stations, again many thanks to the guys on Gozo.
So Mr Bastow, I think you need to realise that commenting about drivers as a lower than management grade, no matter how experienced they may be, are in the thick of dealing with the mess that they have been thrown into - and I don't want to get into passing the buck here, whether it's Austin Gatt, Transport Malta or Arriva's fault - none of you are out there getting the flack that you're front line staff are getting. You could train most of those drivers to input data into a computer, walk around a bus station shouting at bus drivers and intending passengers and waving sheets of paper in the air but you would struggle to get most of those staff behind the wheel of a bus dealing with traffic, frustrated passengers, unreliable equipment and poor supervisory skills.
A thank you from the heart to all the bus drivers on the old system who served me well on my past visits to your lovely islands, and all those drivers with Arriva who are doing their best - some people understand you are doing your best and appreciate it - keep up the good work, I'm sure Mr Bastow will realise that his comments could have been worded better and that being a driver is a skilled and tiring job and I'll invite him to give you the recognition you deserve via The Times. You are holding this together by being there. Thank You.

Franco Ebejer

Jul 9th 2011, 20:02

Tibdila drastika li ma kienx hemm ghalfejn. Transport Malta, li suppost nahseb kellha tiddirigi ftit l'Arriva f'xoghla, kumpannija ohra li nholqot ta xejn....injuranza grassa. Ta l'old drivers kienet prevedibli. M'AHNA KAPACI GHAL XEJN....IRRESPONSABLI........GHADNA LUUURAAA!!!

Anthony Richardson

Jul 9th 2011, 20:01

"Across 12 countries Arriva's 47,500 employees represent a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, and make us a significant employer in many areas.

We aim to maintain a supportive, respectful working environment in which everyone receives the training and development to enable them to fulfil their true potential.

We work hard to develop partnerships with our employees, trades unions and works councils"
exstract from arrive website .

Billie Watson

Jul 9th 2011, 19:56

The new Mlatese bus service run by amateurs for amateurs. Our boys will show you chaps how its done.

Mr Charles Zammit

Jul 9th 2011, 19:55

The new bus drivers ought to be given an imediate payrise if that is not forthcoming at least a bonus which they deserve hugely if for nothing else their loyalty .

Mr louis scicluna

Jul 9th 2011, 19:45

First and foremost, there was no need of this drastic change (in less than 24 hours) in our local transport. The only thing worth changing were the vehicles,so that we would be more comfortable, and breathe less toxic fumes when walking on the pavements. Now, referring to the last quote made by the Arriva managing director. Dear Mr. Bastow, GIVE US A BREAK, will you. Those who worked their heart out should be compensated. They can never feed their loved once at home with your thank you !

Karl Gambin

Jul 9th 2011, 19:34

Enough with this insular mentality where everyone expects to do what they want without having to pay the consequences .. those who didn't show up should be fired. This way, maybe they will finally learn that they actually have to work hard to keep their job.

Maruska Agius

Jul 9th 2011, 19:33

" More than half of them, it said, were from the old regime."... so on purpose as a boycott they did not turn up for work... what about the other half please? It took me almost 3 hours from Attard to reach Qormi, and that was this morning when Arriva promised that service shall improve by the end of the week!!! Shameful!!!!

Mr joseph saliba

Jul 9th 2011, 19:22

While revising (every 3/6 months) the way the new routes are working Arriva with the help of the GWU and other unions must revise the drivers' salaries.

Mr Mario P. Sciberras

Jul 9th 2011, 19:22

The new owners/managers came to Malta with the wrong mentallity. The "colonial" mentallity will not work in 2011.
TransportMalta......another government department.....we did not hear a lot from them this week. Ultimately they are responsible. I do not think they have the experience, knowhow and common sense to organise a "piss up" at the local brewery.

Fran Abela

Jul 9th 2011, 19:17

What has become evident over this Arriva sage is the venom against Arriva ? Why ? One can criticise by all means the network, routes, etc. but does one have to hit out at Arriva in such a crass manner. It is clear that some people are against Arriva managing to set up a decent transport system and they are doing all they can to make Arriva look bad in every way possible. Beofre anyone says anything I am not an Arriva employee nor am I employed with the Ministry !

Mr joseph saliba

Jul 9th 2011, 19:16

I believe the service will improve. One main reason is the will to make it better, which was missing from the 'old system'.

j brincat

Jul 9th 2011, 19:14

Unless the routes are revisited there will be NO improvement from Arriva, in spite of what Mr Bastow may say. These are the root of all the chaos and chaos it is - in stark contrast to what Arriva have promised us. We were led to believe that our bus transport would be unparalleled.

Whoever was responsible for designing of these routes these should step down immediately for the hassle and discomfort they brought on the people in this scorching sun!

(jb)

cettina portelli

Jul 9th 2011, 19:11

you know, i was just thinking - altho i dont know if this is legal or not, someone im sure will enlighten me - the best way to get ARRIVA to sort itself out is by passive resistance. i now have to drive and collect my son to and from work everyday whereas before ARRIVA and their NON-ARRIVALS, the excellent bus service we had here in bormla always got him to work on time. since my car holds 5people and there are 3empty seats at the back, wouldnt be a service to others waiting(for hours i must say)to offer to give them a lift if they happen to be going to the destination where i am heading? by asking them for a small donation towards the journey, say 50c - which isnt much - they will arrive ON TIME and in relative comfort plus i will be getting roughly 3euros a day towards the extra fuel that i am using which i never needed to use before! AND ARRIVA WOULD GET ITS ACT TOGETHER MUCH FASTER IF IT SAW HOW MUCH BUSINESS IT WUD LOSE. as i said, i dont know if its legal and if it isnt, then this idea is obviously out of the question.

Mr Joseph E Briffa

Jul 9th 2011, 19:11

. Granted that Arriva could have been misled into thinking that the old bus drivers' total income was the one shown on their pay slip and based the new wage structure on it.,blissfully unaware that most of the drivers did part time work driving mini buses and coaches for which they obviously got extra income. Arriva could also have not factored in the compensation of
Eur100 000 the owner drivers have just got for their junk. But I would assume that it dawned on Arriva that the owner/drivers of the old buses wanted to have the cake and eat it.; that they would do their damnest to ensure that the new service wouldn't work, hoping that Arriva would pack up and they (the owner/drivers) would be back on the road with their old trucks, without however refunding the handsome compensation they were given. But what would have happened had Arriva failed to recruit in the first place local applicants who went through the motions of willing to work for Arriva and accepted the wages and conditions of work they were offered? Surely there would have been a public outcry. So I think Arriva were wise to give these people a chance and then see what happens. This is in fact what happened and what led to the disruption in the service. Now Arriva can take corrective measures in the light of the behaviour of some of the drivers of the old regime. And nobody can accuse Arriva they did not play ball, albeit they were stabbed in the back. . This apart, I would suggest that the fare structure be replaced by a simpler tariff - such as 50 or 75 cents for short journeys, and Eur1.50 for the longer trips, and this for both the locals and foreigners thereby doing away with the present practice of showing one's ID which is leading to a lot of delays when people board the bus. Senior citizens and students should be encouraged to buy their tickets from say tobacconists, stationeries and other outlets if they want to pay reduced fares. If they buy their tickets on the bus they would pay like everybody else..

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jul 9th 2011, 19:08

Throw away the crazy new route system which nobody wants,reintroduce the tried and tested old system which everybody is familiar and was happy with and you'll have 99% of the problems solved in no time at all. This needs courage and to swallow the pride but the results will justify. If that ever happens I'll garage my car and start using Arriva.

M. Camilleri

Jul 9th 2011, 19:04

I'm glad to see that for once we have a transport operator determined to make the system work, and work well, in the face of all adversity. Do the bus drivers deserve a better wage? The ones who have stuck through thick and thin this week and have gone out of their way to be of service to the thousands of stranded passengers and a credit to their employer most certainly do, and I hope Arriva puts its money where its mouth is.

Mr Anton Portelli

Jul 9th 2011, 19:01

Arriva Malta managing director Keith Bastow should now stop blaming shortage of drivers for the inefficient service. It is true that the unprecedented absence from work of a number of drivers has created problems for the company but now if 50 persons were causing problems with the new recruitment the driver problem should have been solved.
The biggest problem is the routes as designed. redesigning the routes, making direct express routes between certain points is a must. Example the Cirkewwa Valletta route used to take about an hour or less, now it is taking MODRE THAN TWO HOURS.
The service in Malta does not need the monster buses that get stuck all the time in the traffic or if there is a parked car on the road. It would have been much better if instead of one monster bus at an hourly interval one sends out three smaller ones at intervals of twenty minutes, or more frequently during the rush hours. I have seen the bendy buses in Gozo but I have never seen more than 10 people on board.
As many people are suggesting a return to the old route system which has been in place for ages. In the past very few complaints were made about the route system.
The major complaints with the old system were about the drivers although those that gave the bad name I must admit were a minority.
Why scrap a system that was functioning and not retain it and improve it. Look what is happening now - THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

A Cordina

Jul 9th 2011, 19:00

So the only problem is the number of drivers? Does this mean that once the number of drivers on the road is reached to the optimal level the routes will change? the IT systems onboard will function properly? and the big buses will pass unobstructed from narrow roads?....those drivers really did it big!

Gordon Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 18:59

i am no "old drivers"supporter but if they were promised to work an eight hour shift straight say from 5.00am till 1.00pm and later to a part time considering the miserable wage they have,why did they changed everything the last minute.In the u.k bus drivers are paid three times as much as here so they dont need any part time.also the other 50% that quitted are new driver so please arrive take note.

Francis Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 18:56

In view of the telematic system being switched off, maybe the Church could help out by using the church towers and their bells as an early warning system to announce an ARRIVA bus arriving! That way the passengers would just come out at the right time....Joking apart, I really do hope the new system will settle down, there are obviously more problems (always are) that are compounded by the missing drivers; with by goodwill by all, they could be overcome but all means ARRIVA TM and the drivers. These networks work in bigger cities and Malta is just one big city now the size of Liverpool in population. They might not be brilliant there either but the system works by and large. Where I lived before in Telford, they were precise to the minute. In southern Italy most bus systems work reasonably well even within the chaotic state of the roads and driving standards, so for heaven's sake they should work well in Malta too although I have my doubts about the bendi buses.
Francis Borg - Liverpool

Marco Ciantar

Jul 9th 2011, 18:55

Uwejja nies ghalfejn dan il fuss kollu ? ma tridx tkun genju jew tmur l universita, dan kien komplott tal haddiema ta qabel li kienu jahdmu fuq tal-linja ftemu biex l Arriva jidhru servizz hazin u hasbu li ha jergaw jikmandaw huma. Imma ghal grazzja t`Alla l Arriva ma cedewlhomx u qeghed jsibu nies li vera jridu jahdmu, min irid jahdem vera ha jahdem qallu li ha jbidlulhom is schedules gimghatejn ohra, allura ma nisaportix gimghatejn u naqbad u nitlaq? Ghala taqbzu ghal dawn il haddiema li ma jridu jaghmlu xejn u jsuqu bil mobile u jpejpu jew joffenduk minfuq li qieghed tuza is servizz ? Jin tal inqas nara il pozittiv diga li ghanda tal linja godda mhux ha jaqaw bicciet, ghanda l aircondition fuq tal linja ara kemm kontu teqirdu li s-shana u tal linja komda. Tuhom cans jirangaw is schedules nahseb intom mil ewwel bdejtu tigru qas timxu mindu twilidtu imatur naqa il Maltin please ax vera xbajt nara kummenti immaturi u bla sens u ftakru li min imaqdar jrid jixtri !

R. Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 18:51

I suggest that Arriva should ignore the new routes which transport Malta gave them and use the previous routes, than they can improve the routes accordingly.
Good Luck Arriva

John Borg (mlh)

Jul 9th 2011, 18:46

Mr Bastow, many will empathise with you, or perhaps even sympathise, but the public in general is suffering. My wife works 12 hour shifts, which have become around 16 hours due to the insane time it takes to get from Mellieha to Mosta! 2 hours each way is ludicrous and inhumane. She has since given up and is going by car, surely not what this reform intended. The public now wants to see Arrive reciprocate its' patience and give something back. By this, I don't mean a good service, as that is your remit and the purpose Arriva was awarded the contract. The public expects a token of appreciation after having to go through the fiasco it has had to endure. Heavily discounted tickets for a period of time perhaps. Had Arriva been an airline, it would have been heavily punished and would have had to face collosal fines and compensation claims. You Mr Bastow have to win back our trust. The ball is in your court! Who will refund the public for the wasted man-hours this week alone? Just think about it.....

R. Gauci

Jul 9th 2011, 18:45

Sabotages are illegal, I hope legal actions will follow.

Noel Mifsud

Jul 9th 2011, 18:45

Telqu 180 mhux cajta. Nofshom mir regim l iehor u in nofs l -iehor. Godda? Mela b 200 euro fil gimgha paga. 47 iegha xol, responsabilita ta xarabank u nies. Jigu xi 3 50 is siegha, dik paga. Mizerja i smajt li l barranini ghandehom3 4 times as much ma nafx. ETC icckeja please. Gvern thallix dawn in nies jsiiqru lil haddiem Malti. Austin Gatt taf li 47 siegha xol u 200 euro paga mhux paga imma pocket money. Trid taqta it taxxa l bolla. Sundays u Festi flat rate ma hemmx doppja ghax jghidulek shift. Jekk veru ta 123 hrs split shift u tiehu 35 euros u larriva taghthom 11 hrs 45 mins shift u ma hadu xejn dahqu bil haddiem, u l gvern imissu ilu li iccekja mhux austin gatt u delia bhal illum gimgha marru jiddandnu quddiem it tv u illum gimgha wara stahbew. Bil haqq Delia ghax insejt ismu ghadu Malta ghax dil gimgha ma smajt xejn b ahbaru wara xi 9 xhur jidher ma Austin u fuq it TV u jghid kemm se jkollna Servizz efficjenti. Exatt bhal tal mater dei, karozzi (sptar) state of the art, servizz tal biki. Il poplu mhux state of the art irid imma jinqeda.

Gary Simmonds

Jul 9th 2011, 18:44

Can Arriva Please ensure that NO Driver that let them down is Employed by the Sub-Contractors.
All the Drivers that signed a contract and then left Arriva And the Maltese Public seriously in the Lurch should have there licences revoked for at least 1 Year by the Authorities so they cannot benefit from the misery they helped create.
Take there Licences Away - Fine Them - Then Ban them from using public Transport - Let Them walk the streets in shame !!!!.

Michael Scicluna

Jul 9th 2011, 18:43

I feel that in good time Arriva will make it. Today I took a test trip from St Paul's Bay to Zebbug. Got a 41 from St Paul’s Bay after I was waiting for 5 minutes at the Bus Stop, trip took 57 minutes to Valletta, then I needed the 61 or 62 to Zebbug, so I started asking people in uniform where do I board the 61/62 all I got was negative answers like don't know, then I found the bay, as I was there 07.35 the indicator was showing the next bus was at 9.45 that was going to be a long wait. Close by there was a sweet lady not in uniform with a folder, she had the executive look and ask here when was the next 61/62 bus, she went over and came back in a flash and said it will soon be here and before I could say thank you the bus arrived. I got to Zebbug in 35 minutes. The issue in all this is who ever planned for the system to this way should be back on the drawing board, the schedules and the bus numbering we had had before needed minimal adjustments. What was really needed that is new buses, new drivers, and make the trips circular with some minor changes of repetitive bus schedules, smaller vehicles for narrow road villages and the system should have been tested well in advance. Arrive were not aware of our bus culture and someone tried and succeeded to revolutionized and made a grand mess of things, at the expense of the taxpayers and all the commuters that use the service.

Adele Mintoff

Jul 9th 2011, 18:40

Seems like there is some real bad management involved. Maltese managers employed with Arriva should have well known that the old bus drivers or most of them, should have never been part of this new team in the first place. However something smells fishy... is it a political issue?? It is clear that many of them were all ready and set to disrupt. Wonder why??!!!! Dear Arriva , Malta is not only what you see on brochures....

Rosie zammit

Jul 9th 2011, 18:36

i think the biggest mistake was hiring the same drivers we were trying to get rid of .... they got themselves hired knowing only too well that they would boycott the new company by not showing up. whether the wages offered are low or not, was beside the point since they knew how much they were going to get months before they started working.. all i can say it .. Hang on in there Arriva !!!!!

Mr D Psaila

Jul 9th 2011, 18:35

Looks like a planned programme of sabotage to me. Even if Arriva didn't expect it, the Government should have done.

Victor Pulis

Jul 9th 2011, 18:34

And another thing, Can the tie be dispensed with? In this heat it wont do much of a difference.

Victor Pulis

Jul 9th 2011, 18:33

Will Arriva compensate those drivers who worked above and beyond the call of duty this past week? A thank you is alright but not enough. These smartly dressed drivers tried to save Arriva's bacon after all. They were in the forefront of the whole situation.

Michael Bugeja

Jul 9th 2011, 18:31

Dear Arriva, I personally would have chosen the gradual changes, step by step, not changing the whole system ,from day one.You have created havoc/ confusion among passengers,especially the elder ones like me,colour coded buses where more than welcome in the old days,and it worked beautifully ,now we are in the digital, computer age and we are still finding it hard to understand the system,so please Arriva learn this in Maltese "Mill Paroli ghall Fatti hemm Bahar jaqsam"

Mark Jones

Jul 9th 2011, 18:30

I predicted in a previous post a few weeks ago that the yellow buses would be back on the roads by the end of the year. But by the end of the first WEEK?????!!!!!

I am told that the 116 Sliema feeder service (every 30 mins.) appeared at its terminus stop ONCE today between 8am and 3pm.

It's time to say 'ARRIVA-derci', Dr Gatt.

Anthony Pace

Jul 9th 2011, 18:29

Almost half the workforce. You pay peanuts you get monkeys.

To sack that many drivers you need a back up which Arriva does not really have even if the British, Spanish or Portugese drivers are here temporarily they will not stay.

Arrogant minister and PM.

Victor Pulis

Jul 9th 2011, 18:25

"Thank you to the public for their feedback and for their support."

Let's hope Arriva takes into consideration this feedback and act upon it. One of the most persistant complains is about the new routes. Mr. Bastow heed the many calls to return to the old routes please.

Mr Joe Grech

Jul 9th 2011, 18:17

If any driver signed a contract and then didn't honor it, that should be a problem for him as it was for loads of us but still, the word "Regime", come on!

Mr carlos ellul

Jul 9th 2011, 18:15

180 workers is no joke. One should really evaluate things up and see if there was a serious effort of sabotage or if its simple the case of another company who is trying to turn a respectable job into a role that 'no Maltese citizen want to do' by lowering the salaries/conditions. We've already seen the usual klikka saying that we should rely on cheap labor who are hardworking and who would certainly not 'complain about the conditions offered'

C Muscat

Jul 9th 2011, 18:13

il-problema principali ghandna gvern li fejn irid jghaddi kollox. karozzi jitilqu mimlijin u msieken ta li stages. rotot imnehhija u msieken l-anzjani u l-batuti f kelma wahda qeghdin nghixu f pajjiz totalitarju

Stephen Koludrovic

Jul 9th 2011, 18:07

I would like to thank the driver of Bus No 110 on route 71, that saved and returned to me my laptop with case that I inadvertently forgot on this bus.

I forgot the case when I got off in Luqa, waited on the other side till the return of the Bus from Zurrieq, which incidentally was only 5 minutes late from the timetable, and the case was given to me.

Mr Jo Meli

Jul 9th 2011, 18:07

One pays monkey feed and gets monkeys !!!

Malta Bus drivers made their homework on the wages of their counterparts on the Continent and in the UK and expected their wage, if not same as theirs will be at least 85% its equivalent.

Unless Arriva makes amends re Bus Routes their service in Malta will be short-lived !

Time taken to pervious destinations has more than DOUBLED and the expectation of the Maltese was highly disappreciated by pre launch propoganda which promised a NEW System based on effiecency which Arriva did not honour.

Alfred Grech

Jul 9th 2011, 18:05

Have a proper consultation and agreement with the drivers taken place? Are the drivers being paid the amount promised to them or is this a sabotage?

Whoever did the planning of the routing obviously has no experience. It's easy to draw on paper but such drawings should be performed by someone who knows what he's doing. I question his or their knowledge in this case. I got suspicious when I read the schedules showing times like 10:02, 14:47, etc.

Many of those in the department concerned have no clue of what they are doing. It's time the government and ARRIVA get hold of knowledgeable people to help them sort out this monumental mess.

N. Bonello

Jul 9th 2011, 18:03

Can someone give us some REAL figures as the number seems to climb day by day. First it was 50 then 100 now 'up to' 180 (whatever up to means).

Anyway whatever the number those who did not show up or deserted during the week should never be allowed employment with Arriva. No matter what pressure the Govt. or Unions put on Arriva. Arriva be firm.

This whole farce seems to be a three way street.

1. Arriva - seemed to dive into the project without doing any real homework. Probably relied on the advise highly paid local lackey consultants.
2. Govt. - For coming up with this Grand Master Plan of interchange, decentralisation and major route changes. Might look good on paper but I don't think you need any highly paid consultant to tell you that it was bound to cause major problems all round. Anyone heard of phasing in a project or is that old school.
3. Old Transport Regime - There seems to be a plan in place to sabotage the whole project. Someone stands to gain big time with the situation.

j brincat

Jul 9th 2011, 18:02

Why are the drivers not reporting for work?

Arriva did not amplify.

(jb)

Charlie Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 18:00

I have faith that Arriva will deliver, eventually. How long it will take, is the question. But it's a sight for sore eyes, seeing these splendid vehicles together with the even more splendidly-dressed drivers.
This thing about the drivers is a mystery: surely, they knew the working-conditions, especially the salaries they were going to receive; and yet? and yet, they enrolled, and then they just didn't show up, or else, took to the streets to protest, as usual, as is wont. Just doesn't make sense, especially when abroad, people are simply CRYING OUT to get work!
However, Arriva should have done their homework much better, regarding the infrastructure used, as well as the various rounds. They should have first used the same, traditional rounds and then, once they got the hang of things, they should have started making changes slowly.
Good luck, Arriva. You have let us down but many are still patient and will give you the benefit of the doubt.

Mr Anthony Borg

Jul 9th 2011, 18:00

>>>> "We were then, and are now, far from where we would want to be, and from where the client body, Transport Malta, and our customers would want us to be."
However, he said Arriva was determined to deliver the public transport system that the people of Malta deserved and "we will not give up or lose heart at this bad start." <<<<<<<

Mr. Keith Bastow has my full empathy for the great responsibility he and his staff are carrying at the moment. Suffice it to say, that he must be as disappointed as we, the commuters, are.
However, I have full confidence in his remark, .... “we will not give up or lose heart at this bad start”.

I sincerely wish you all at Arriva Malta the best, and that gradually, the system can be made to operate fully and well.

Andrew Azzopardi

Jul 9th 2011, 17:55

I think saying thank you to the public all the time and promising a better 'tomorrow' is really getting at our nervous system (ehna l-maltin neqe nervjuzi habib)....initial hiccups are more than justified with such a massive project - utter chaos and plugging holes is another story altogether....this is crises management at its best...and when schools starts in September? and when we start getting full days? and when we have the October rains? and when 12,000m Uni students start the new academic year? Ommi ma rahal x' inhu gej!!! Issa ahja sub-contracting, fl-isem ta' Gesu' u t' ommna Marija!!!!!!

http://andrewazzopardi.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/tal-arriva-ghandhom-wiehed-kbir/

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Jul 9th 2011, 17:54

There are three major problems which ARRIVA will have to tackle in the coming weeks. First drivers and their remuneration. Second routes some of which have been very badly planned and third duration of trips from A to B which are taking much more than was the case with the old buses and which is quite serious problem as it is beginning to have an economic effect on industries and our economic output. Many of these problems are a result of bad planning by the smart asses at the MOT. But ARRIVA is at fault in not checking itself that the paper planning could be realised in practice.
Let me today focus on the driver issue. The drivers are to blame in entering a contractual commitment and then going AWOL. However the core problem is the pay being offered. It is clear that ARRIVA must have been misled by local officials on the going wage for a coach driver. Perhaps what they are currently offering is what was declared in the drivers wage slip , however this is Malta and everyone knows that private coach operators have to give drivers additional undeclared payments to keep them happy and working efficiently. From figures quoted it is clear that ARRIVA is offering from 20 to 25% less than the current real going rate for a good driver. Employee leakages will continue to occur if a system of efficiency bonuses and additional payments for unusual hours and difficult routes is not introduced.
I am sure ARRIVA will eventually arrive but mark my words a good service does not come cheap and either fares will have to be increased or further subsidies will have to be renegotiated.

Wilfred Camilleri

Jul 9th 2011, 17:53

Many know-it-all bolggers concluded that 50 missing bus drivers shouldn't have impacted the service!? Now that it has been revealed that 180 drivers didn't show up, what will their lame excuse be? I guess these 180 don't really need a job so the government should deny them any unemployment benefits! I can just here the lame excuses why these individuals decided not to show up for work but the bottom line is that they're obviously unwilling to work or only willing to work if they can do as they please. Injuranti pessmi!

Emanuel Tabone

Jul 9th 2011, 17:51

EMANUEL Tabone
with the thankyou we don't eat givethem the same wages that have the others no bla bla bla.

joseph grech

Jul 9th 2011, 17:50

Same old Same old whenever something new is introduced half the population would not like it,
big big mistake at Arriva head quarters when they hired the old Regime , a Tiger never changes its stripes,
should have used a big broom and start anew , what are contracts for if they broke it they should be deciplined , good move by Arriva in bringing in outside drivers maybe there is so much work in Malta they have to look elsewhere.

Charles Micallef

Jul 9th 2011, 17:48

Quote ,,More than half of them, it said, were from the old regime, unquote

if Arriva did not know that these drivers jsimply joined them to cause havoc in the first instance. They clearly managed to disrupt the NEW service, and one must question the human resources expertise and knowledge of the the employees market.

A child could have predicted that this will happen, people's mentality will not change, just because we give them a six week traing period and a new uniform.

Most of these drivers worked part-time with various coach operators as the wages offered does not suffice to keep them in the standard of living that they became accustomed to working on the old service with some nine million euros annual subsidy. They were on a good earner, and good for them.

Mr Matthew Degiorgio

Jul 9th 2011, 17:46

I am 100% sure Arriva system will improve.....

J. Scicluna

Jul 9th 2011, 17:44

During this week's DISSETT we all saw Austin Gatt trying to defend the indifensible; and how he "nearly" convinced us!

I will only comment on one point. In the program, Reno Bugeja (excellent as usual) commented that the service needs proper roads to run properly and mentioned Vjal il-Haddiem in Rabat as an example which is in really bad shape.

Austin Gatt stated that this was a Council road to which Reno said that it was a Govt -responsible road. The Honourable gentleman scoffed and denied it.

Today, we saw the Rabat Mayor produce publically all the documentation that shows that the Minister was wrong, persisted in being wrong and tried to ridicule the interviewer since "The Minister is never wrong"!

How can the electorate continue to accept this behaviour from its elected representatives?! Thank God he won't be running again.

Mon Swinger

Jul 9th 2011, 17:43

With 180 drivers not showing up for work, there is something seriously wrong either with the drivers or with their contracts. Could the contracts be subjected to public scrutiny so as to come to some conclusions? Why should we believe the CEO and Arriva when we already know they have messed up elsewhere especially in London?

In 2005, TfL reported that Arriva London had more complaints a year than any other bus operator in London, although at the time Arriva did operate the biggest percentage of bus services in London.

Should they improve maltese driver conditions or should they keep exporting drivers from London to Malta?

Mr Victor Laiviera

Jul 9th 2011, 17:39

Did Arriva honour it's commitments to its employees?

Perhaps publication of the employment contract and the work conditions imposed on the drivers would help us to make up our own minds ....

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jul 9th 2011, 17:37

If you are blaming about half of them as being from the old regime, you cannot blame the new ones.
So what's making the new ones not report for work?
CRAP working conditions and wages?

Duncan Micallef

Jul 9th 2011, 17:35

may be it is time to evaluate the bus drivers salary structure (to low), as I bet these temporary British drivers will be paid alot more then Maltese !