Arriva still 100 drivers short

Arriva still has a shortage of 100 drivers, despite it having brought in 70 Britons, Transport Minister Austin Gatt told Parliament yesterday.

Replying to questions by Labour MP Carmelo Abela, the minister noted that he had acknowledged that Arriva was not delivering the service that had been contracted. The company had a number of operational problems, and was due to present a statement to the authorities on how it would bring the bus service up to the required standard by September.

The authorities, he said, would examine the statement in the light of the commitments that had been made, while also acknowledging the progress that had been made over the old system.

Dr Gatt said that out of 71 routes, there had been complaints about 18 and these were being catered for in a reform of the routes announced last week.

Reacting to a complaint about waiting time by commuters, the minister said the main issue which was causing this problem was the fact that out of a planned driver-complement of 570, Arriva was still missing 100, despite having brought in 70 drivers from Britain.