Transport operator Arriva has introduced new bus routes and amended others which will come into effect on Sunday – their self-imposed 9/11 deadline to provide a “fully-fledged service”.

“The introduction of the new routes continues to refine transport services following feedback by passengers and consultation with local councils and other entities,” Transport Malta said in a statement.

The changes will ensure a service that promises to meet customer expectations and the operator will be providing customers with information about the service enhancements, the authority said.

This is the second set of changes after Arriva took over the public transport service on July 3 – the first batch was announced 20 days after its launch.

The highly anticipated service has been bogged down with problems, mainly due to the fact that about 180 bus drivers failed to turn up for work on the very first day of service. Many commuters have also complained bitterly about the new routes, the long waiting times and trips, and the lack of air conditioning on some buses. Following harsh criticism from all quarters, Arriva said that September 11, a date associated with the bombing of New York’s Twin Towers in 2001, was its deadline to “provide a service we want and are expected to provide”.

Meanwhile, Transport Malta said “other changes will be announced and introduced in due course”

New routes in Malta

Route 54: New route linking Attard and Balzan with a direct connection to Valletta in addition to existing services. The service will be provided every 30 minutes.

Routes 33 & 34: New routes to serve Swieqi with direct connections to Valletta and Mater Dei Hospital. The last stop of route 33 will be every hour in Tal-Ibraġ, while route 34 will end every hour in Xgħajra providing a combined 30-minute frequency through central Swieqi, returning via the Pembroke park-and-ride bus stop on the main road.

Route X6: New express from Ċirkewwa to Valletta with limited stops in Mellieħa, Mosta, Birkirkara, Fleur-de-Lys and Floriana. It will be scheduled to reflect the Gozo ferry timetable to provide a faster transport connection between Valletta and Gozo.

Route 83: New route to serve Sta Luċija with a direct hourly connection to Valletta, in addition to existing services to Paola.

Route 84: New route to serve Ta’ Ganza and Ħal Tmiem in Żejtun with a direct hourly connection to Valletta in addition to services on route 81.

Amended routes in Malta

Existing route 106: This service, which connects Attard and Balzan to Mater Dei Hospital, will be half hourly instead of on the hour.

Route 72: Route is revised to serve central Luqa on its outbound and return journeys from Valletta.

Route X1: This route has extra journeys added and will be better coordinated with the Gozo ferry to provide a faster transport connection between Mater Dei Hospital, Malta International Airport and Gozo.

Route 22/32: Route is revised to serve Rue D’Argens in Gżira in both directions with a direct Valletta and Mater Dei Hospital connection.

Route 43: Route modified to serve the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar with a direct connection to Valletta every 15 minutes.

Route 202: Route to provide improved direct connections to Mater Dei Hospital from Rabat, Mosta and Attard.

Route 3: Route is modified to improve access within the village of Xgħajra.

Route 123: Service will be extended to include Pembroke and provide a new direct service to St Julians and Mater Dei Hospital and maintain links to the Pembroke interchange after the discontinuation of routes 114 and 115.

Routes 114 and 115: These are being discontinued

Amended routes in Gozo

Route 301: Route modified to improve access within central Xewkija and rescheduled with the Gozo ferry to provide a faster transport connection from Malta to Victoria.

Route 303: Route revised to improve access to central Għajnsielem.