Mary Anne Mallia, Sliema
Problems still being faced by commuters (2)
As yet, no sign of Arriva having kiosks near the bus stops to facilitate the buying of tickets and to give the proper information. A classic example is Mater Dei Hospital where the activity is 24/7. It is shameful to see the Arriva people calling their superiors to send them more buses.
How about Arriva start thinking of advertising fares on the bus shelters to let commuters prepare the money?
Meanwhile, please note that some drivers insist that people who bought the seven-day ticket have to wait in the queue with the other people getting new tickets and this for the driver to check that their tickets are valid. After this, the drivers park their buses at the Sliema Ferries so that an inspector can again check tickets. Of course, all commuters look forward to arriving on time at their destination. If Arriva wants to check the tickets that’s fine but, there again, the inspector should not only check tickets but also help the driver keep order on the bus.
I would also like to point out that although the tickets are valid for seven days the cheap ticket print fades away within two days.
The operator should seriously start thinking of buying more buses because at all times the buses are full. It took us an hour to travel from Valletta to Sliema and this is one good reason why the people are not encouraged to use public transport yet.
We were in St Julians and bus 13 took more than 15 minutes to arrive. Then, the X2 bus arrived but the driver insisted that only people on their way to the airport should board. As we wanted to go to Balluta we had no choice but to wait for another 10 minutes for bus 13.
As Arriva drivers face tough times, I hope they remain calm and polite when dealing with customers.
Arriva should address more promptly complaints made by clients who are paying higher fares than before.
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Victor Pulis
Aug 13th 2011, 19:11
Looks like the halaballoo has died down somewhat, not because the service is acceptable but because like everything in Malta people tend to get used to it and reason that 'it could have been worse'
On 9/11 the service should get back to normal. Want to bet that it doesn't? We must keep on insisting for what we have been promised otherwise will will be paying higher fares for worse service. The routes must be reviewd and not just the ones mentioned.
Mr M Borg
Aug 13th 2011, 12:35
People can write, write and write to complain about the hopeless mess Arriva is in, but is seems that both Arriva and Transport Malta are not taking any notice of all.
On Tuesday I used bus 32 from Valletta to Sliema. The same route with the old 63 used to take 15-20 mins. With this new route we had to stop at Mater Dei where it was a shock to see the number of commuters who were waiting for buses. We got to Dingli Street after 50 mins. This new route is taking twice as much as before.
Why cannot we have the old 63 route back ?
Peter Shaw
Aug 13th 2011, 11:52
It seems that the commuters compliants do not arrive at Arriva's office :)))
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 13th 2011, 11:08
The latest joke by NON-Arriva-L is that persons who are still underage and cannot get an iD Card are expected to acrry a birth certificate with them or else they are charged a tourist fare.
This is the MADNESS of NON-Arriva-L.
SCRAP THEIR CONTRACT AND OPEN UP THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO OFFER SUCH A SERVICE.
AFTER ALL, WE WERE AND ARE BEING CONSTANTLY BOMBARDED WITH THE NOTION THAT COMPETITION AND FREE MARKET ARE BEST AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CONSUMERS.
Mr C Cassar
Aug 13th 2011, 18:50
Typical attitude of a local who simply does not understand a modern transport system. A simple time table understidd by the rest of Europe is too difficult for them, so they start jumping up and down because it's not the same as the old decrepid system.
It would be hilarious if it wasn't so embarassing.
Crikey, kids under the age of 10 use similar systems all over Europe to get to school and yet Maltese adults simpley haven't got a clue. It's even colour coded to make it as simple as possible, so no need to understand much reading or writing.