Updated - Arriva reports 'positive day' as bus service is relaunched

D. Camilleri

Nov 7th 2011, 10:37

I was on the bus stop at Fgura from 6.15am, 120 came at 6.40am and it was nearly full up...with all the sightseeing around Paola, Marsa, Qormi and Bkara I managed to arrive at university at 8.30am and missed my first lecture. Since the scholastic year started I only attended this 1st lecture at 8am once as I am spending it always stuck in traffic in Arriva!!

Before, with the 300, it used to take me 45mins the most to arrive at university and I used to go to the bus stop at 7am, not at 6.15am and always arrived in time...it was only once that I missed a lecture because I arrived late.

If I dont pass my exams as I nearly know what this Monday morning lecture is about, who is going to promote me for next year? Austin Gatt?

These people who call themselves 'experts' should really go on bus stops themselves and see what the service is like!!! I really dont see why they keep changing the routes and giving their bus drivers schedules which they surely cannot catch up with, when there is a real lack of buses to make up with these routes!

I really had enough with this poor service now!!

Reg Alfour

Sep 14th 2011, 10:35

I'm sure Keith Bastow is a very nice chap. But he is completely out of his depth and reliant upon insubstantive spin. It's clear now that Arriva are NEVER going to make the grade and provide the service they promised us so convincingly, right up to the night before it started, where during that ridiculous launch presentation they still assured us all was well when they knew it most certainly wasn't going to be.

They are relying upon the good people of Malta becoming complacent and getting used to having an inferior service, whereby all the moaning and criticism will eventually stop. So it is down to everyone to keep reporting the failures and shortcomings, and not to become resigned to a forever inferior service and harking back to the good old days.

Whilst the old network had its shortcomings, and more than its fair share of critics, it had at least mostly evolved through common sense over many decades. In short, it could largely be relied upon. To wipe away all this history in one fell swoop was utter madness. Anyone with any degree of understanding or plain common-sense knew this.

Arriva are supposed to know what they are doing. If the network being presented to them wasn't really workable, why did they sign on the dotted line? Shouldn't they have recognised this? But oh no, all they saw was the potential for profit. And they won't be making any of that for a while - if ever! The parent company will soon pull the plug - or rebrand.

We have all been conned big-time, and Malta has gone from having a service which was both respected and viewed with admiration and great affection worldwide for its frequency and variety, to one which has left our nation a laughing-stock with a system totally devoid of charm and effectiveness.

And that is simply not acceptable to me. Nor should it be to you. So don't let the system grind you down. Keep making plenty of noise. You owe it to your proud nation to ensure Arriva-Derci. And soon hopefully.

Alex Borg

Sep 14th 2011, 01:40

Positive day, my left foot! Faced with the prospect of having to pay Euro 3.50 at the Park & Ride in Blata l-Bajda I dutifully walked to my nearest bus stop to commute to work courtesy of Arriva. I first confirmed times on the phone and I was reassured there was one bus every 10 minutes, and that Arriva had reinstated the direct line from Savoy to Valletta, i.e. not the one that takes you for a tour of Sliema. Well after a 30 minute wait, I got doubtful that such a route was indeed reinstated and walked back home to get my car. Sure enough 10 minutes later I saw my bus chugging down Rue D'Argens negotiating the delivery trucks. I eventually got to office 1 hour later. This must have been my fifth or sixth attempt with Arriva in two months. Something tells me we are struggling very hard to switch from village to metropolis, but somehow we just can't make it. For the transport service to succeed Transport Malta must remove half the cars off the road, enforce greater discipline and oblige delivery vans to effect their deliveries during off peak times. And where are the wardens when you need them? Busy slapping no parking tickets is the answer of course. No nerve to face the delivery men.

G Buhagiar

Sep 13th 2011, 23:41

Ma nafx kif qed jinghad li sar kambjament pozittiv ghax sal-lum stess ergajna bl-istess teatrini: nies fuq l-istage, karozzi mimlijin, u nistennew fix-xemx fil-hin ta' wara nofsinhar... Dan il-kambjamnet li sar? Niskanta b'min jitkellem hekk. Biex imorru minn rahala ghall-iehor hemm ghalfejn indumu sighat? Hafna tidwir ghalxejn, tilhaq tixba qabel ma tasal. Hafna li jahdmu l-Belt jispiccaw jaslu tard ghax-xoghol minhabba l-inefficjenza ta' dan it-trasport. Ha nibqghu sejrin b'dawn il-kummiedji?

Mit-3 ta' Lulju sirt tohrog fuq l-istage u ma tafx xhin ha tasal fil-post fejn trid tmur!

Spiccaw buzulotti u bdew ohrajn!! Gabuna nitkellmu wahidna!

Arrivaderci misshom semmewhom.

Chris Galea

Sep 13th 2011, 19:39

Mr. Bastow is taking us for a ride. Unfortunately it is not the one we need. He should seriously consider contesting the next general elections because he's all talk and no action. The new "service" (it is still miles away from being so) promised from September 11 is no where to be seen. Today I spent 40 mins waiting for the 31 bus from Naxxar to Valletta and another 40 mis for the return trip. This is just waiting and not counting the actual time on the bus. The thing is on every Non-Arriva flyer the bus is supposed to operate every 10mins. Shameful.

If they still do not have enough drivers they should re-train the 35 or so Non-Arriva employees doing absolutely nothing at the Valletta terminus.

This country makes me sick.

Alex Caruana

Sep 13th 2011, 19:32

Agreeing with the third person interviewed...unfortunately people who are living in Fgura are not having a very efficient service...we have never had the best service ever as we never had an official terminus in our place. Unfortunately you keep seeing the buses full of people fom Mskala and never your turn...for example i was on stage at around 8am this morning and i caught a bus after the fourth one ...at bloody 9.05am. And i was on the stage near the Jb Stores...so i can just imagine those people who where near the gallarija or later stages... NOT IMPRESSED YET.

Ms Josephine Campbell

Sep 13th 2011, 16:15

When the public longed for an improved service, we wished for a punctual, efficient and clean service. We wished our former Route 40 to be monitored supervised as we were bypassed, waiting in vain for the bus, thus having to resort to go down to Naxxar Road, near JB Stores, whic is almost a mile away. In the Summer heat it is unbearable, and in the Winter, Naxxar Rd is like a river after the rain. As some have commented, WE NEED THE FORMER ROUTES BACK BUT WITH THE NEW OPERATOR. I APPEAL STRONGLY TO TRANSPORT MALTA TO STOP CREATING CONFUSION WITH THE NEW ROUTES. I STRONGLY AGREE AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH THOSE WHO HAVE SAID SO. EACH VILLAGE NEEDS A DIRECT SERVICE TO VALLETTA AS THE ROUTES WERE. If circular routes are good, keep them, BUT WE DESPARATELY NEED A DIRECT SERVICE TO VALLETTA TO AND FROM LIJA. GIVE AND ALLOCATE THE NAXXAR-HAMRUN ROUTE ANOTHER NUMBER AND GIVE US BACK THE 43, WHICH CAN GO DOWN BALZAN CENTRE, OR OTHERWISE ROUTE 54 MUST PASS THROUGH THE CENTRE OF BALZAN AND BE MORE FREQUENT, AT LEAST EVERY HALF AN HOUR, AND AT RUSH HOUR, EVERY TWENTY MINUTES. STOP THE 106 SO OFTEN, IT IS A WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES. I HAVE LIVED HERE 37 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AT THE BOTTOM OF BALZAN AND THE REST IN LIJA AND I KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING AND TALKING ABOUT. I KNOW THE LOCALITY, ATTARD LIJA, BALZAN BY HEART AND HAVE SEEN THE CHANGES IN FORMER ROUTE 40 TAKE PLACE FOR THE WORST. IF FORMER ROUTE 40 SHOULD PASS AS IT SHOULD, INCLUDING WHEN IT ENTERED NEAR THE BELVEDERE TOWER, IT WOULD BE OK. Further to that a service by a van or minibus going round the village is needed, as it is still a long stretch to residents who live at the outskirts. This should be given by transport Malta. 37 years ago the 40 went round all the village. This had to be stopped when the new large buses were introduced, and now, it would be still be short of the upper part of the village, as this went round the village core. When the 40 was still reliable I boarded the bus at the top of Main Street Balzan, and also unboarded. When Main Street Balzan was made one way, we have a longer stretch on the return journey, either near the Belvedere, or the Lija Council, in Robert Mifsud Bonnici Street, or in the middle of Main Street, Balzan. I hope improvements would be implemented soon, as soon as possible.

Also I agree with those who said that there are those that are creating confusion at Transport Malta purposely, and if not, they should be sacked, and the job given to those who know how to do it. TRANSPORT MALTA : CONSULT WITH THE PEOPLE OF EACH LOCALITY BEFORE PLANNING OUT ANY ROUTES.

Mr Antoine Vella

Sep 13th 2011, 13:07

All those moaning about the "old routes" should realise that bus 91 IS THE OLD ROUTE and still experiences problem (I'm taking the risk of believing what some people are saying) while new routes - such as 106, 23, 54 and others are not having problems.

I realise that some people absolutely need to go to Valletta but surely thousands of others could well carry out their errands elsewhere.

One very positive aspect of the new system is that, for the very first time, it sets out to wean people away from an overcrowded Valletta. Inveterate conservatives like Dr Joe Brincat resist the change but it has to come. As someone who, for thirty years used to live in Floriana, I can say that the congestion of traffic and people in that corner of Malta has become unbearable.

I urge Transport Malta to stick to its guns and resist the temptation to increase direct routes to Valletta. Never mind the moaners, eventually they (or their children) will get used to the new system and wonder how on earth we managed with the old charabancs.

Ms M Sciberras

Sep 13th 2011, 12:55

Positive? Bus no 62 which is supposed to leave Siggiewi at 6.40AM did not turn up until 7.07AM. It was packed with passengers ending up leaving people from the last bus stop in Siggiewi and various others in Zebbug and Qormi waiting. Took us 45 mins to arrive to Hamrun and managed to arrive at work late.

Well done.....!

Joe Brincat-LL.D

Sep 13th 2011, 11:36

At 11.05a.m Mr Bastow accompanied by a lady from Arriva was on the other side of the Terminus. He should have crossed over and listen to what the crowd waiting for a bus to Rabat was saying. The Arriva lady scratched her arm while I was looking. Both of them should be scratching their heads.

I moved on and got Route 3 bus. The crowd filled the bus within seconds. A "conductor" had to come up to sift those with a ticket and those without. It was full up.

In Floriana some two passengers were picked up. But that was all. When we came to Blata l-Bajda, there was a young lady who tried to stop the bus, but it was full up. The driver asked whether anyone was alighting. I hated myself that I still had a stop to go.

Yes, Mr Bastow, this should have been another positive day for you.

Readers should understand that Arriva cannot do the miracle of the multiplication of buses. They went on that saying : Better half a loaf than none. Reduce frequency......but that means bigger crowds waiting and fighting their way up to the bus.

Ms F Goodwin

Sep 13th 2011, 11:34

This is very strange, because yesterday was actually the first NEGATIVE day I had using Arriva. I waited a long time in the hot sun as two full buses drove past, then suffered the familiar crowded conditions I associate with the old bus system, barely able to squeeze on and off. The cockney driver shouted at people waiting at the stop to go away, and when they expressed their unhappiness at having to wait so long in the sun only to be turned away he said "It ain't my fault, is it?" Maybe not, but a more temperate and understanding demeanour wouldn't go astray.

In short, Arriva needs more buses. The overcrowding and tendency for buses to just drive by were among the worst aspects of the old system, and unless they get more buses on the routes this problem will persist. One last thing: if they get more buses 'custom' made in China, maybe they should actually put some thought in this time and get a narrower model to suit the Maltese streets?

Mr Lawrence Fenech

Sep 13th 2011, 11:32

Id-drivers tal-Arriva saru cowboys, it-toroq taghhom u "zuli minn nofs l-ewwel jien".

Mr j mifsud

Sep 13th 2011, 11:15

guys i hope you all know that your complaints are falling onto deaf ears here...its not even worth it..

R Cassar

Sep 13th 2011, 10:25

The ride takes an hour (and sometimes even more) from Birzebbuga to Valletta... with a private car it takes only 20 mins max...with a motor cycle even less. N.B the route before Arriva used to be 30mins max, which was quite reasonable. Right now, it is still not viable to go by bus to Valletta.

Mr Malcolm Mifsud

Sep 13th 2011, 09:58

To be able to arrive in Valletta from Fgura this morning, I had to take the 91 bus to Marsascala at 6.40 a.m., stop on a Zabbar bus stop, cross to a bus stop on the opposite side of the street and finally be able to manage to board a bus from Zabbar to Valletta. I punched present at the office at 7.31. Had I waited on the Fgura bus stops to reach Valletta I would have been late for sure. It's useless sending half empty buses from Marsascala, the populations at Marsascala, Zabbar, Fgura and Paola are far to big for one single route. Stop trying making a profit on a shoestring budget please and give us a decent service.

J Degabriele

Sep 13th 2011, 09:53

Come off it Arriva! My husband uses the bus service to go to Valletta once in a while. Up to 3 weeks ago he spent 10 minutes at Rabat to get on the bus to Valletta - extremely reasonable. Today he spent 45 minutes at the same bus stop waiting for a bus to arrive!! Is this what you call improvement? Shame!!

Adrian Muscat

Sep 13th 2011, 09:41

This is a new system for the better....locals need to learn how to make the most of it (trade unions often say that we are a special breed blessed by special talent!)....some passengers are obviously picking either the wrong bus or wrong bus stop.... and complaints of overcrowding and mass meetings at bus bays should be taken as positive... residents are eager to use public transport. Tune up the system to be on punctual pls....and btw driving standards are declining....right hand hanging out of the window....indicators not working....especialy so in the case of bendy busses. Good Luck.

PAUL BUSUTTIL

Sep 13th 2011, 09:36

Dear Mr. Barstow it seems you are a failure and your words cant be believed.

Jurgen Rekkers

Sep 13th 2011, 09:33

Just traveled from Msida round-a-bout to Sliema Ferries. I was at the bus stop at 8.25. Till 8.50 no bus came (from any route). At 8.50 no 11 came already full-up (how is that possible, how many stops are there between Valletta and Msida?). At 9.00 a bus came, arrived at Sliema at 9.15. This is unacceptable, 45 minutes to travel from Msida to Sliema. I pity anyone who has to use Arriva for any other longer route. I'll be using my car again for the rest of the week.

Francis Attard

Sep 13th 2011, 09:31

Dear "Arriva",
Why don't you go back where you came from and never set foot on this island of ours any more. We were, by far, better-off, before you came here, in spite of all the problems the public transport might have had. You are more stubborn than the bus owners we had before. The commuters are continuously 'begging" for you to opt for the old routes, and you keep 'Arrogantly' to ignore them. Therefore, do us a favour and GET LOST.

Mr Victor vella

Sep 13th 2011, 09:21

I was very pleased to hear that Arriva is trying to report a positive day. Yesterday I was told that people who wanted to go from SLH to Mosta had to wait for more than half an hour for a bus to arrive!!! Yes indeed a very positive day!!!!

Maria Debono

Sep 13th 2011, 09:02

Who do you think you are kidding Mr Bastow? The peolple of LIja who found that they have been excluded from NO43 to give their place to the students of Goivanni Curmi? or the people of M'Scala who have to wait for more than an hour for their bus to tuern up? Or those people waiting for a bus to Mater Dei which wouls arriv an hour late making ptients late for appointments. Mr Bastow, you are accountable... to the maltese people

John Spiteri

Sep 13th 2011, 09:02

Why don't you ask working people travelling from the North of the Island what they think of the new service, not pensioners going to the market, who are not under pressure to get to work on time. The bus services including the first number 12 and 31 from Qawra are running late in the mornings by 10mins. I am still arriving to work 15 minutes later than i use to with the old service!

Getting a bus from Valletta after 3pm is stilla nightmare. You cannot get on a number 11, 12,31 and i always fail to see the 41. God help the people of Mellieha. Its dreadful because the choice of service is so limited and the routes are far too long still!

john muscat

Sep 13th 2011, 09:00

According to your report above it seems that only Mr. Bastow have seen an improvement, otherwise all the blogs were complaints. Where are the TM officers? Or they don't use Arriva?

j brincat

Sep 13th 2011, 08:36

It is not what Arriva says, it is what the commuters feel about their service that counts.

Judging by progress to date Arriva has still a long way to go!

(jb)

Mr V Mercieca

Sep 13th 2011, 08:16

I believe that Arriva must work harder to get its house in order.

Two incidents I met with yesterday Monday 12th.

On the bus stop Tal-Pieta I waited for about 45 minutes for bus 122. This bus is supposed to pass every 30 minutes. I had to give up take the first bus to Valletta and walk it to the Custom House area.

I took bus 23 from Valletta to San Gwann. When I arrived at my destination I noticed that there were 2 other Arriva busses behind the one I alighted from. One was 21 and wonder of wonders the other was another 23 and without any passengers.

When abroad I use public transport and I observe that drivers do stop on bus stops even if there are no passengers to pick up and also in some instances they drive rather slow while at other times they drive rather fast. I learned that they do this to keep up with the scheduled time table as otherwise if they drive past empty bus stops they would be early at the next bus stop etc etc

I believe it may take years for Arriva to arrive at this stage and must take a lot of discipline on the drivers to accurately calculate the arrival time at each bus stop.

Stefan Mifsud

Sep 13th 2011, 07:24

I would suggest that to avoid having the route 91getting full up easily, I would reroute new bus service 84 (of ta ganza area) to pass from Fgura and then to tac-Cawsli. From this Fgura commuters would benefit a lot: 1) more chance of finding a bus with available spaces, 2)would be able to commute directly to Zejtun

Catherine Caruana

Sep 13th 2011, 06:56

From the amount of comments published under this article it seems that Mr.Bastow does not know the meaning of the word POSITIVE.Very sorry to say this.But far from positive sir.Especially for us Kalkara residents living in St. Liberata Street everything remained the same. Still no bus transport service here.With Arriva we can say that we commuters went from bad to worse.

Joseph Fenech

Sep 13th 2011, 06:15

It is useless to stay here commenting. They are saying it was a positive day and this for me means they arrive doens't care about the people. I had to wait another 1 hour for Sliema to Mellieha. So if today was a positive day, what will happen when schools open again?

C Muscat

Sep 13th 2011, 05:55

Veru l-poplu malti kbir biex jiflah ghal dan is-swat. Mhux ta b'xejn irbahna il-gwerer. Kellu bzonn il-Madonna terga tidhol ghalina f'din is-siegha ta' prova. Swat minn kullimkien.

James Camilleri

Sep 12th 2011, 23:36

@Mr Mark Seychell – (and Mr Cassar). My how lucky you are! So we do not know how to cope with change? When this change entails that you had a bus route and you do not have it anymore of course we cannot cope. When the change entails that one has to walk for over 15 to 20 minutes to get to a bus stop (I personally do not mind it but I am thinking of elderly people and mothers with babies) and then to have to wait for over 30 minutes (at times even an hour) to board a bus, then yes one cannot cope with the change.
I live in the Fleur de Lys, B’Kara. During the old bus service days we had the 71 route which was very efficient with buses leaving the terminus every 15 minutes. Now this is one of the routes (among quite a number of others) which has been disconitued. People in the area have now to walk up to Mriehel or to Valley Road to catch either a Rabat or Cirkewwa bus. Both these routes are heavily patronized. So by the time they get to our area they are full. My wife had an appointment last week at Zejtun at 10. So she was on the bus at 8:15. She managed to be in Valletta at 9:20. She waited for over three quarters of an hour to board a bus to Zejtun. After waiting for such a long time without any success she had to forgo her visit and return back home. More of the same. I usually used to take my children to the beach two or three times a week. This summer we had to do without these outings because after trying for three times and not managing to board a bus to St Paul’s Bay for over an hour each time, I decided to take my children back home each time. I did not try to go anymore because I do not want my children to keep getting disappointed.
So you see we have been relative prisoners in our own homes because of our lack of coping with this change. Had it been a change for the better we might have coped. However since the change was for the worse we couldn’t but moan, groan and unable to cope with it.
The buses are definitely better looking and more comfortable. The drivers are definitely better dressed and less rude. The rude, spitting, swearing cowboys (many of whom, I found to be quite the opposite to how you described them, although there were a number who fitted your description) in their rusty tins on wheels (a number of which were new as the new Arriva buses but without the A/C) serviced us very well. New buses and well educated drivers do not make a service on their own. Punctuality, frequency, and routes do. Until we have these, I am sorry I will not be able to cope with the change.
Those who are comfortable themselves, whether because they drive or whether because the service in their area is up to scratch and therefore couldn't care less what others are enduring are just arrogant people with no empathy whatsoever.

J. Pace

Sep 12th 2011, 23:17

I don't use Arriva and will never do since by the time I walk to my nearest bus stop I am already at work! So since I use my car, I do observe a number of points as follows:

1) I see a lot of buses going to Mosta from Lija - EMPTY. Why?

2) Many bus drivers are just stopping in the middle of the road jamming traffic. Now if you pass them, expect a ticket or a head on collision with another car coming from the opposite direction. Constitiution Str.near the car dealers showroom is just one example from many I have seen.

3) I also noticed that indicators are not always being used. I nearly saw an accident today where the bus was overtaken, there was no indicator and the bus drove off. Everyone can make mistakes, but seeing it quite frequently is not a good sign!

4) Last Sunday I was driving near dingli cliffs coming from Girgenti. And I saw an Arriva bus coming from the limits of Siggiewi. Wow!. What on earth the bus was doing there!!!!! Who leaves there? Who goes there? Maybe a family or two, but I am sure they have a car. I am also pretty sure that the people at dingli want to go home ASAP and not going for a sightseeing tour.! I followed the bus loughing all the way. Than I saw a minivan with route x108 or x107 I forgot and that route seems to be even worse.

5) And why the software is not ready? That is Arriva fault - no excuses!

Mario Desira

Sep 12th 2011, 22:41

Rubbish! Route 72 is still running late and not keeping to schedule, with buses either not operated or late - and at times departing early! Buses leaving on time as per schedule are still a minority. So if this is still happening when now Arriva has enough drivers and buses, then it boils down, like pointed in previous observations to incompetence!

Mr Tony Camilleri

Sep 12th 2011, 22:25

STOP THIS CHARADE.
GIVE A LICENSE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO OPERATE ON THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE.
DOES THE EU COMMISSION KNOW ABOUT GONEZI REPLACING ONE MONOPOLY WITH ANOTHER?

Mr Charles.C. Brown

Sep 12th 2011, 22:18

i said it berfore and i say it again unless you go back to theold routes and timetables this new network is never going to work . public transport is for the maltese public to use daily for work and to go whever they please in the shortest way possible and not to go sightseeing round malta. this is not something that people are going to get used to, like for instance the change to the euro. This is going to cost the PN loads of votes no commuter nationalist labour or whatever is happy in this situation . this is going to cost the PN the election big time . the PN should check to see if those in transport malta who caused this chaos are some labour diehards who are trying to put spanners in the spocks for the PN. If then they turn out to be PN they should be sacked from there jobs. its better to lose their votes then thousands of votes. as i said before all the people wanted was new buses and decent drivers , they got that alright, and then some HMAR from TM comes along and ruine everthing. PN take note!

E. Azzopardi

Sep 12th 2011, 22:03

To those suggesting to bring back the old, dirty, uncomfortable buses, with the arrogant and rude drivers, I say: Haven't you inhaled enough dangerous and toxic fumes detrimental to your and everybody's health? Haven't you boarded enough filthy buses with brooms all over the place? Haven't you been shouted at, ignored whilst waiting on the bus stops etc etc? Or are your standards so low that you accepted all this with grace? How short is your memory. No, the old filthy buses with their rude drivers will never come back. I am ready to be patient some more time at all costs. When Arriva get its act together, which it will, you shall be full of praise.

J. Azzopardi

Sep 12th 2011, 21:52

Transport Malta and Arriva are asleep at the wheel - choosing to ignore all complaints and comments from the commuters and stating that there was a "positive reaction from the majority of our passengers". Drivers on the other hand, pass the buck by telling the passengers to complain to Arriva and it's not their problem!!

Howcome nobody complained about the change of drivers in Marsa park and ride... It took over 15mins for the drivers to change whilst we were waiting on the bus... which means another 15mins added to our never ending journey from Valletta to B'bugia, as if the passengers have nothing better to do after a day of work!!!

@M. Mifsud - "Min xarrbu kielu l-bakkaljaw"

Is-servizz ta' qabel kien hazin u l-bakkaljaw kien tiga mxarrab! Il-bidla definitavament kien hemm bzonnha!! L-problema hi li l-bakkaljaw kompla jixxarab min nies bhal ministru li ma jirkibx tal-linja u biddel kollox kif jahseb hu minflokk qieghed jisma' n-nies li ta' kuljum jirkbu tal-linja!!

Sharon Scicluna

Sep 12th 2011, 21:20

The service will never ever be better not even if Arriva introduces more bus routes. With the old system we were served with bus terminus nearly in every town - Birkirkara for example had two bus terminus, one by St. Helen's Church and the other by the 'Gnien l-Istazjon, Mosta for example had a bus terminus which was situated by the Fitwell showroom, in Hope street, and from 6am to 11am, bus 58 used to leave this terminus to serve the people of Mosta and beyond to Valletta, At present the people of Mosta and Birkirkara have to wait for the buses coming from Cirkewwa, Bugibba etc and then one wonders why they are always full up.. Yes, kemm konna ahjar meta konna aghar... Introduce the same old routes Austin Gatt!!

J. Debono

Sep 12th 2011, 21:19

We must admit that though the service is far from perfect, it is improving.

Improving is the KEY word, as in the old bus system, routes were left as status quo for the past 50 years.

With this service, routes launched were a bit better than before, and they are being amended regularly to reflect the need of the Maltese people.

Regarding Zurrieq are, I must say we are much improved. Before we only had 34 to Valletta and that's it. All connections in valletta.

Nowadays we have route 71 replacing route 34 to Valletta.

New routes are the circular through our villages 117, and 118.

Route 102 to Hagar Qim Lapsi and Siggiewi.

And from the Airport we have 4 routes to Cirkewwa, Bugibba, sliema and Birzebbugia (whereas before we had to go to Valletta for these connections)

Therefore route wise, we are much better. Regarding punctuality, that is still a bit of a problem, but admittedly improving.

john farrugia

Sep 12th 2011, 21:13

always sliema what about the villages

john farrugia

Sep 12th 2011, 21:10

To Mr John Montague...
what about Gudja and Ghaxaq 2 villages with No service.where do you live?

joe Grima

Sep 12th 2011, 20:53

The Maltese could only be happy if they complain. get used to it ...ti's their favourite pass time and they are experts at it !!

Mr John Montague

Sep 12th 2011, 20:50

"I'm pleased to report a positive day with all buses out, all shifts covered including by the newly added drivers, and a significant increase in the number of journeys provided in addition to the new routes which started yesterday - I am encouraged by the positive reaction from the majority of our passengers,"Mr Bastow told timesofmalta.com."

And the source of this "positive reaction" is - possibly the comments below???

Time for Government intervention!

Isabelle Zammit

Sep 12th 2011, 20:49

I waited for almost an hour for the bus 123 from pembroke to go to mater dei but none came! The service before the 11th september at least was always on time. They added certain roads to the route to accomodate us residents that live in Pembroke. So far so good! But they didn't even appear this morning for the first time!! I complained with arriva and said they have noted it down but i think it was useless..

FRANS H SAID

Sep 12th 2011, 20:44

There can NEVER be content unless the majority of the old routes are re-installed. The fault is not ARRIVA but the minister and his collaborators.

A. Borg

Sep 12th 2011, 20:30

Dalghodu fuq l-istage ta Zabbar Road il-Fgura hsibtu li kien hemm Mass Meeting bin-nies li kien hemm jistennew din l-imbierka Arriva! Minhabba li hafna Zabbarriin irhewlha lejn il-bahar l-ghada tal-festa bdew jghadu mill-Fgura mimlija. Irid ikollhok mohh ta tigiega biex ma tikkalkulax dan il-fatt u tahseb minn qabel ghal izjed xarabanks.

J Gauci

Sep 12th 2011, 20:21

GET THE OLD ROUTES. IF ARRIVA WANT TO HAVE FULL BUSES THEY ARE TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE.

Mark Amaira

Sep 12th 2011, 20:01

41 and 42 dejjem imbullati u rari! vergogna!

Mr francis darmanin

Sep 12th 2011, 19:55

Is Sliema Local Council happy with the situation of the complete disappearance of the 63 bus which was also fromerly known as the "C". This route existed for at least 50 years now some smart aleck has just eliminated it. Does the Sliema council still exist? This afternoon on my way to the Exiles beach I passed through the Gnien Indipendenza and I saw a Sleiam Council sign that said: No Dogs; No Skate-boards; No Bicycles, No Topless bathing. Had I had a crayon I would have been tempted to add: NO COUNCIL!!

Maurice Cini

Sep 12th 2011, 19:12

To TRANSPORT MALTA & ARRIVA : BRING BACK THE OLD TRANSPORT ROUTES. WE URGENTLY NEED TO HAVE THE OLD BUS ROUTES AGAIN TOGETHER WITH THE SAME FREQUENCIES IN DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS.THE NEW ROUTES ARE JUST NOT PRACTICAL FOR COMMUTERS ALL OVER THE ISLAND. WE DEMAND TO HAVE THE OLD ROUTES BACK.

JOE ZAHRA

Sep 12th 2011, 18:59

Why is it that the Saqqajja bus stop is only for embarking. With winter coming asking people to use the main terminus by the Roman villa to embark and disembark is cruel and crazy especially to those people who livein the area of the old Verdala hotel as its a fair walk to that area from the terminus.
all I can say is that the people who designed the routes have never been or lived in Rabat .

David J Cassar

Sep 12th 2011, 18:37

Bugibba has to be served better. Valletta to Bugibba( and return) is an arduous trip. Route 31 should be streamlined to serve its primary purpose, that is to get commuters as fast as possible from Bugibba to Valletta. The meandering along the way has to be eliminated......L'iklin, Naxxar in particular, After all both of these zones are already served by other routes! Hope that Arriva settles this paradox ASAP

Mr Raymond Milford

Sep 12th 2011, 18:31

A few days ago my wife noticed some people waiting for a bus in Tower
Road Sliema in the hope of going to San Gwann and beyond whilst she
was walking to a shop in Triq ic-Cikklamini, San Gwann. On completion
of her shopping she decided to walk back home to Sliema and to her
surprise noticed the same persons that she had previously observed still
waiting for a bus. Now come on boys and girls this is not an acceptable
service for either commuters or visitors to Malta. If Arriva can not or will
not provide an acceptable service then another company that can provide
one should be found without further delay otherwise tourism will suffer
and more will wish to use their own motor vehicles on the already
congested roads.

M. Mifsud

Sep 12th 2011, 18:19

@ all of you who are lamenting in the comments posted down here:-

I remember a saying which my late grandma used to say. It goes like this :- "Minn xarrbu kielu l-bakkaljaw."

You wanted change in the bus service , you've glamoured for change in the bus service. Now you've got the change. Now you've got the change that you have been yearning for.

Now you don't like the change that was imposed on us by Transport Malta. Tough luck. You've asked for it. You wanted it.

Now stop lamenting.

"Minn xarrbu kielu l-bakkaljaw".

Joseph Borg

Sep 12th 2011, 18:17

The X6 from Cirkewwa needs a stop at one of the Xemxija bus stops for the convenience of all Xemxija residents. Bus 41 arrives at Xemxija already full from the previous stops so making an extra stop for X6 would help to reduce this problem slightly. And don't say this is an express route! An extra bus stop will not change much and students and workers from xemxija needing to travel to central Malta get a much needed extra bus! Hardly rocket science. Come on Arriva see sense!

Anthony Pace

Sep 12th 2011, 18:06

We B'Kara residents were promised a bus from the old terminus to Valletta. It appears that this is being combined with the the one from Cirkewwa, every 30 or 60 minutes depending which bit of the brochure that they sent you read.

Charles Vassallo

Sep 12th 2011, 17:54

Why is it that the Pembroke residents, since 3rd July are still without a bus service that allows them to travel to Msida, Pieta, Floriana, Valletta, and as a connection to the South.

Just because bus number 34 stops at Pembroke Park & Ride, is no justification to say that the residents are being served. The place is a MINIMUM 15 minutes walk to the nearest residential area, and the walk provides no shelter from buildings as it is an open area.

May the authorities realise the unnecessary hardships being caused to the young and old alike and solve this problem without more delays.

Therese Spiteri

Sep 12th 2011, 17:53

mqabba local council have voiced their opinion today.... what about ghaxaq local council... i still have not heard of anything!...and same problem still persists there too...no bus link available directly for valletta, but now one has to get two buses to go from point A to B if this happens to be outside of Ghaxaq.... journey taking you over 1 hour which is not comparible to any other transport means.

Mario Frendo

Sep 12th 2011, 17:52

I used bus 43 to go to Naxxar, (which is a good thing as before, one had to catch 2 busses to go to Naxxar from B'Kara) and it DID enter Hal Lija, and went around the Belvedere as usual before heading off to Naxxar.

Mr M Borg

Sep 12th 2011, 17:21

@ Andrew Sare` ( (15.26 )

" just pick up the phone and call customer service 5 times a day if you want something to be done that is what it's there for. "

And what do you think I and many others have been doing ??

It is of no use, they just listen and pass on the message. When to phoned to complain about the new route being taken by bus 32 ( it used to pass through Savoy and Dingli Street on its way to Valletta , it is now passing through Mrabat ) I was told by them that the route still passes through Savoy. According to them Mrabat is Savoy.

These people do not care, and I do not mean Customer Care but Arriva and Transport Malta. Before they admit that the routes are a mess. That we do not want to go round the island before getting to our destination things will not get better.

James Aquilina

Sep 12th 2011, 16:17

We've heard Arriva tell us that the routes will be fixed and the service timley..... They're starting to sound like Gonzi and Muscat together.......

Thank god I have a motorcycle....

Ms Carmen Galea

Sep 12th 2011, 16:16

I am sure I speak for a lot of people from Mgarr. We only have 1 bus for our village No. 23..... waiting to get back home from Valletta it would take 1 hour to actually wait for our bus to get to the terminal. Then it would take us another 1 hour to get back home to Mgarr. We get to go on a merry go round, what a waste of time, could someone please see to this...... not long ago I was waiting with my son and grand daughter to go to Gnejna from Mgarr pjazza......it took over 1 HOUR!!!! after phoning Arriva helpline, we got the same answer as we always get...."it should be coming very soon", we gave up at the end and went back home to get our car..... it's great to see the new buses on the road and it would be even better for the Mgarr residents if we could get to and from our destination in less time as we are now........

Victor Pulis

Sep 12th 2011, 16:16

Now that two months of frustration have passed and it seems that the second D day (D for Disaster) has come excuse me for raising my voice but here goes.
BRING BACK THE OLD ROUTES! TRANSPORT MALTA STOP BEING STUPID AND LISTEN TO THE THOUSANDS WHO ARE TELLING YOU TO GIVE THEM BACK THE OLD ROUTES. YOURS HAVE FAILED. FGURA IS WITHOUT ADEQUATE SERVICE AS ONLY UMBER 91 PASSES THROUGH ZABBAR ROAD BUT THIS BUS HAS ALREADY PASSED THROUGH MARSASCALA AND ZABBAR AND BY THE TIME IT REACHES FGURA IT'S FULL. GIVE US BACK THE DIRECT SERVICE TO MATER DEI. DON'T BE PIG HEADED. DON'T PUSH MR. BASTOW TO THE FRONNT LINE TO FACE THE MUSIC. AND GET OUT OF YOUR AIRCONDITIONED OFFICES AND CONFRONT THE PUBLIC YOURSELVES. YOU HAVE EATENTHE PUDDING NOW EAT SOME HUMBLE PIE AND ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG.

FRANS H SAID

Sep 12th 2011, 16:12

We are in desperate need for the old routes 49 and 58. but those who decreed otherwise are well served by an official car and driver. I am refering specifically to three particular residents lining in St Paul's Bay.

Wake up Prime Minister. you are there to lead and to be led by the nose!

Ms Carmen Galea

Sep 12th 2011, 16:10

I am sure I speak for a lot of people from Mgarr. We only have 1 bus for our village No. 23..... waiting to get back home from Valletta it would take 1 hour to actually wait for our bus to get to the terminal. Then it would take us another 1 hour to get back home to Mgarr. We get to go on a merry go round, what a waste of time, could someone please see to this...... not long ago I was waiting with my son and grand daughter to go to Gnejna from Mgarr pjazza......it took over 1 HOUR!!!! after phoning Arriva helpline, we got the same answer as we always get...."it should be coming very soon", we gave up at the end and went back home to get our car..... it's great to see the new buses on the road and it would be even better for the Mgarr residents if we could get to and from our destination in less time as we are now........

G Buhagiar

Sep 12th 2011, 16:04

Sal-lum ma tantx deher xi kambjament, dalghodu karozzi tal-Arrivva bdew jghaddu mimlijin mill-Fgura u n-nies spiccaw ma rikbux. L-istess qed ikun hemm numru ta' nies fix-xemx jistennew il-venda tal-Belt! Wara xahrejn li bdew jahdmu seta' sar xi arrangament mhux kull filghodu kwazi dejjem b'xi kummiedja!

Hmistax ohra jibdew l-Iskejjel u minn jaf x'gej. Hafna karozzi jimtlew malajr bl-istudenti u n-nies jibqghu jistennew fuq l-istage, apparti minn dan qed isir xoghol f'certu toroq principali u t-traffiku ha jdum iktar.

Veru li sar titjib, pero` baqa' iktar xi jsir. Umbaghad jghidu ghax in-nies igergru. Min ikun komdu u jasal fil-hin ghax-xoghol m'ghandux ghalfejn igerger. Anke t-turisti qed jilmentaw! Bizzejjed insemmu li dawn qed ihallsu d-doppju li nhallsu ahna u qed jaghmlu sighat jistennew fix-xemx.

Gabuna nitkellmu wahidna!!!

Mr Paul Borg

Sep 12th 2011, 15:47

I welcome the Valletta -Swieqi direct bus. We even saw people applauding for it's return. And the drivers were smiling back.

Mrs M. Attard

Sep 12th 2011, 15:44

Where is Bus no 91 passing from Triq il Qaliet as detailed by Arriva and TM in the revised routes info published on 22nd July in the year of our lord 2011?? Or were they referring to the revised Marsascala service starting in year 2021??? This is so pathetic, ok im going to start a hunger strike next week, will do my diet some good!!

Mr Edward Attard

Sep 12th 2011, 15:35

Today was a nightmare travelling by Arriva from Sliema to Valletta

Ms Josephine Campbell

Sep 12th 2011, 14:43

Yes, TRANSPORT MALTA PLEASE NOTE : please give us back our route 43 beginning from the Lija Tower. Every 15 minutes or 20 is sufficient. Locate another route for the Naxxar locality. Pass the 43 past Robert Mifsud Bonnici Street down to Balzan, etc, as the former 40. If not, the 43 should remain as it was. Route 54 MUST pass like the former 40, NOT FROM THE BOTTOM OF BALZAN FROM BIRBAL STREET and puctually every 15 or 20 minutes without bypassing and truancy. 106 should be limited to early morning, then maybe every hour, then at hospital visiting hours two or three trips at 15 minute intervals. The rest is a waste of time and resources. TRANSPORT MALTA PLEASE NOTE.

Clinton Farrugia

Sep 12th 2011, 14:42

Yesterday evening it took me less than 20 minutes from Gzira (Manoel Island) to Valletta and Valletta to Hamrun. I only waited for less than a minute at the Gzira Bus Stop and less than two minutes at the Valletta Bus Terminus. It was the second time that I used the Arriva service after last Friday (which was also very satisfactory). This morning it took me about 3 minutes to board a Bus from the Valletta Bus Terminus.

I'm not saying that the service is perfect but until now I think that this service is better than the previous one!
Stop politicizing every issue and let us work for a better service because at the end of the day we're the ones using it!!!!

Michaela Portelli

Sep 12th 2011, 14:20

We were promised a direct bus from Gudja to Valletta - we didn't get it. And even worse: we are still not served by Arriva but our route is subcontracted which means 1 minibus drives from the airport to Marsaskala and back, nobody knows when and all you can do is go to a busstop and wait and wait and wait.... What did improve on 11th September is that it's not that hot anymore whilst you wait.....

Catherine Caruana

Sep 12th 2011, 14:19

Do the Arriva authorities know how ridiculous they can be when they promise commuters that come the 12Sept.everything will run normally??This morning I was at a Cottonera stage at 5mins.to 8 am.hoping to catch the 8o'clock bus.always taking Mr.Bastow words for granted.But how deluded all the waiting commuters including myself were!!The 80'clock bus was skipped and we had to wait another half hour to catch the half past 8 one.Very sorry Arriva.For us Cottonera residents nothing changed.You are giving us a very mediocre service and taking us for a ride.

Mr Alfred Dimech

Sep 12th 2011, 14:17

I noticed that the Arriva drivers are obeying traffic laws like the Right of Way, never ignoring red traffic lights and never threatening to push any overtaking car off the road. They also wait for elderly to get off the bus properly before driving off. Absurd! This has to stop! How do they expect to arrive on time with this sort of behaviour? Where do they think they are, England? Bring back the old Kings of the Road, chest hair and all.

Seriously, some of the unchanged routes are taking much longer than they used to and I'm noticing that the drivers are more timid than their predecessors.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Sep 12th 2011, 14:13

Trial and error. This is not the way to manage a public bus service.

Mr Angelo Vassallo

Sep 12th 2011, 13:56

"All buses are expected to run according to schedule as of tomorrow" Arriva director Piers Marlow said on Sunday 11/09/2011, that is, only yesterday

The above was only reported yesterdat by this same site. From feed back all of us are getting is that it is a total FLOOP once agaiin.

@ Arriva, Marlow and Bastow: You should all be ASHMED for this joke you are operating in Malta. You made us the laughing stock of the whole European Union.

@ TM - Imisskom tisthu, intom ukoll hammartulna wiccna mal-Erwopa kollha. Lis-settur turistika tajtuh DAQQA ta' HARTA kbira.

Sepliciment IDDISGUSTAT.

Mrs M. Attard

Sep 12th 2011, 13:54

D- Day = Disater continues day lol ;-))

Joe Brincat-LL.D

Sep 12th 2011, 13:53

At Valletta Terminus, at 12.30 crowds. It is becoming more evident that Arriva is trying to make miracles. To transport more passengers with too few buses. I met two ladies from Senglea, on my way to the Terminus. The bus from Senglea was really on time ! They waited from 9.00 until 9.45 a.m. (Sorry, not standard time but Arriva time)

Neville Roberts

Sep 12th 2011, 13:49

Well done Arriva, your doing your best under this extreme situation and the way you have been treated is despicable. Having worked in the transport Industry in the UK all my life and experienced this sort of attitude, no matter how good you are, the public will always knock you down even if your better than before. Here in Malta they moan and moan but never do anything constructive. Half these people don't even use the buses, just sit at home on the computer having a moan at everything. I have used the new buses and I find them very good, clean and comfortable unlike the old ones which usually had only one gauge working " the oil pressure gauge", never the speedo and sometimes dodgy brakes. Keep it up Arriva they will go on moaning until you call at their front doors every 5 minutes, but ignore them, your doing a great job !!!

P Scerri

Sep 12th 2011, 13:46

"The Valletta-Bugibba route 31 appeared to have more buses deployed, but a dispatching problem persisted. At one time, at 9.25 a.m., three buses, one of them a bendy bus, were following each other North bound along the Birkirkara Bypass"

The same happened earlier in the morning. I waited for the 31 bus for 30 mins from 7.20am to 7.50am then 3 buses turned up at Bombi bus stop at the same time.

I was optimistic this morning that I would get to work on time but was quickly disillusioned!

Joe Camilleri

Sep 12th 2011, 13:45

The introduction of route 54 from Valletta to Attard is very much welcomed.Today I managed a trip from Valletta to Attard in 35 minutes (including the 10 minutes that it was late) During the past two months it took me even two hours! Unfortunately the printed time table on bus stops is not correct as it says every hour when it is every 30 minutes. I hope that every locality will benefit from some good changes.

Grace Caruana

Sep 12th 2011, 13:40

Arriva & Tumas group have to invest more money in the system to make it work better!! Who is going to fork out this money?? The contract was signed on what we have at the moment with this amount of buses.We wait and see.

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

Sep 12th 2011, 13:34

ARRIVA HAS TO GO - THE PEOPLE HAVE LONG SUFFERED TOO MUCH INCONVENIENCE. THEY HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A LOUSY PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE AS THIS,WHEN THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UP TO SCRATCH SINCE DAY ONE, LET ALONE THREE MONTHS LATER!!!

A local Public Bus Transport Service has to be properly structured,avoiding all the avoidable obstacles Malta had in the past. ARRIVA has to compensate THE PUBLIC [ not the Government or any one of its Ministers ]to the liquidated amount per day commencing since ARRIVA was marked to begin operations at state-of-the-art level.

Public Buses must be commeasurable with our road structure,so there is no room for these extremely dangerous bendy-buses,much less for drivers who drive such buses recklessly and some of the Arriva drivers are doing exactly just that.

Malta requires a well-organized Public Transport Bus Service which has to be managed by Maltese who at least comprehend local culture as to how we carry out our affairs.

ARRIVA - ARRIVEDERCI...................prego!!

D. Armeni

Sep 12th 2011, 13:31

Finally there is a bus for Psaila Street B'Kara / Santa Venera, and the bus shelters are not for decoration anymore. Could not understand the map updated on ARRIVA website regarding Bus 54. Does it take too much to put up a proper map from departure point to arrival point on a website? Does it take too much to decide at what time is the bus going to leave Valletta or Attard? On the map it says 60 min underneath it says 30 min. Only in Malta. :) Does any ARRIVA employee check the information before putting it on the website? Do we have to make a fool out of ourselves?

So I deceided to follow the route on various bus stops from Psaila Street towards Valletta. I lost it at the end by the roundabout near Hamrun. Wondering where the bus would proceed (as there was no indication) i phoned up the Customer care. A polite lad informed me that it would go through the tunnels in Santa Venera and take a detour towards Marsa, Mainroads apparently. There are few bus stops there, if any? I am sure from Dicembru 13 street other buses go through. towards Valletta.

So it's not rocket science to get the bus going on straight ahead through Hamrun, passing in front of LIdl, Kuncizzjoni and proceed towards Valletta from there. this mainroad has been deprived of any bus. Come on, be realistic, you stop a service in the middle of the street?

Why do we have to complicate life when things are so easy. Why?

And to all those who say that the Maltese people are always complaining, I say that when the Maltese people are satisfied, (hence happy) nobody says a thing, nobody complains. Surely it's not the case here. Isn't it ARRIVA?

j brincat

Sep 12th 2011, 13:30

@Mark Seychell

"I have used the system multiple times (even up to 6 times a day!!!) and have never found a problem aside from the odd day once in a blue moon. And I use the system both in the North and the South of the Island"

Then, you are living in a completely different planet than the rest of us!

(jb)

Mr M Borg

Sep 12th 2011, 13:29

@Mark Vella (11.44)

" If the busses are passing Full Up , it means that the service is being used. "

That is not the main reason that " Buses are passing Full Up ". These new routes are a mess. When you have the same buss going round half the island you are bound to get a full bus.

If I have to go to San Gwann, Mater Dei, Kappara University before coming to Sliema does it not stand to reason that the bus will be full ?

Gordon Borg

Sep 12th 2011, 13:10

My friends come from Germany every year,they always used the buses,this year they gave up and rented a car-the reason, journey from Sliema to Ghadira bay took 1 1/2 hours.It means three hours travelling on a tiny island.

Mr Ernest Vella

Sep 12th 2011, 13:04

I just arrived from Valletta....Arriva had a very good performance to Zebbug: Route 61...a very helpful driver, nice voyage....indeed a very good service compared with the old service...the same can be said to the University and to Mater Dei...my first time but sure not the last time

Mr Michael Buhagiar

Sep 12th 2011, 12:50

as the minister rightly said complaints will always be there even if a fly passes by while waiting for a bus. But YES, the service is ameliorating itself and very soon we will have what truly we deserve, a civil bus service. Rude drivers are to be reported immediately so that they will be thrown out of the company.

Mr George Calleja

Sep 12th 2011, 12:50

Haga hija certa u din hi li l-gazzetti u l-mezzi l-ohra m'ghandhomx affarijiet ohra x'jirrappurtaw u allura qed ifittxu lil xi hadd li jgemgem u malajr jaghmlu storja. Halluhom jahdmu u tkomplux taghmlu l-bsaten fir-roti.

Mr Carmel Farrugia

Sep 12th 2011, 12:47

Reading most of the blogs it seems that few people are understanding that the routes and their frequency has nothing to do with Arriva but were drawn up by Transport Malta. It is on the basis of these routes and frequencies that Arriva placed its tender. If these keep on changing then the scope, price and end result of the tender will also change. Arriva is responsible to keep the original routes according to the original timetable. Now since these keep on changing every other day I cannot see how Arriva can be blamed....

mario gellel

Sep 12th 2011, 12:28

DON'T WORRY GUYS. AGOSTINO GAVE US THE GO AHEAD TO MOAN FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

Mark Seychell

Sep 12th 2011, 12:17

I've said it many times and I've said it again..we Maltese do not know how to cope with change.

I have used the system multiple times (even up to 6 times a day!!!) and have never found a problem aside from the odd day once in a blue moon. And I use the system both in the North and the South of the Island.

One time, the number 23 bus came 45mins late at Golden Bay, that's when the Czech dignitary was in town. Another time, when I was traveling to St. Julian's, none of the 11/12/13 buses did not pass for 20mins, when they are supposed to have a frequency of every 5 mins or so. Another time, the 31 bus did not turn up at Bugibba until 15mins after it was supposed to leave, despite having a frequency of a bus every 10mins.

Aside from these three isolated and unrelated incidents, I have never found a problem with the Arriva system since I started using it back in the beginning of August.

But enough about me. Yes there will be complaints. Yes there will be problems. No system is perfect, from out bus system right to London Transport. But on the whole, I think the system has changed ten times for the better from the old system.

I have one thing to say to the government, and any other future government (given the elections are so close): Stop changing things for the better for the Maltese community. We cannot handle change. Scrap these comfortable, air conditioned, and mostly punctual buses, sack these polite, helpful well dressed drivers. Bring back the rude, spitting, swearing cowboys in their rusty tins on wheels.

Jairo Mifsud

Sep 12th 2011, 12:10

I Waited for 45 minutes for routes 33-34 to show up... supposingly

route 33 every 30 minutes
route 34 every 30 minutes

in 15 minute either one of these routes should have came by.....

STILL THE SAME RUBBISH

J Drury

Sep 12th 2011, 12:07

waited exactly 1 hour for bus 22 heading to Valletta this morning. Was on the stage at 08.20, bus came at 09.20, arrived at work at 09.45 (whereas i am supposed to start at 09.00).

Well done for the improved service Arriva - you are simply a Joke!!!!

Who will be / is responsible if someone god forbids get's fired for reporting to work late???

This is totally unacceptable!!

We demand an answer, i'm sure im not the only person asking this question!!

FRANS H SAID

Sep 12th 2011, 11:55

Unless they re-install ALL the old routes, people will not be satisfied. The Minister responsible should gulp his pride and admit that hios false theory was wrong. If he is too proud he should either resitgn or the PM should remove him.

We are not in a dictatorial regime and the people have the final say.

Dear Dr Gonzi, listen to the people.

Jerry Jones

Sep 12th 2011, 11:50

Kien ikun opportun li kieku l-Ministru Austin Gatt rega’ nieda permezz ta’ konferenza stampa t-tieni tentattiv tan-networking tar-rotot il-godda tal-Arriva. Kien ikun meqjus Ministru ‘tal-genn’ li kieku hareg imaqdar l-buzullotti tal-Ministeru tieghu u l-inkonvenjenti li ghaddejna minnhom mit-3 ta’ Lulju. Pero l-Ministru ghazel li jinheba. Ghandu ragun ddecieda li mhux se johrog ghall-elezzjoni generali li jmiss. Well done Minister best decision taken so far.

Mr Paul Caruana

Sep 12th 2011, 11:48

The next step, once full staff complement has been acheived, is to look in detail where, and at what times, delays are occuring compared to the published timetables, and where, and at what times, full up buses are leaving frustrated commuters stranded at bus stops, and react accordingly ( and rapidly!)

Rod Enderby

Sep 12th 2011, 11:44

Is Arriva now responsible for routes or is it still Transport Malta? it is no good blaming Arriva for route problems if they do not have the say.
If it is TM, I doubt they will ever get it right.

Mark Vella

Sep 12th 2011, 11:44

If busses are passing Full Up, it means that the service is being used. I think Arriva needs to have more busses deployed on frequently used routes, such as Bugibba ones.

I won't complain if a bus is 5 mins late, since during a route a bus cant come over quite some obtacles, like cars parked incorrectly, roads which are closed, etc. I'd complain in a no-show scenario, which doesn't seem the case.

Mr A Spiteri

Sep 12th 2011, 11:40

u r-risposta tal-ministru koncernat fuq dak il-fjask?!?!

il-maltin dejjem igergru!!

Carlos Espinal

Sep 12th 2011, 11:37

Any opinions on how the infamous Maltese traffic and gridlocks may be hampering the performance of the buses?

If I see three buses from the same route one after the other, the only explanation for me here is traffic jams...

Anthony Pace

Sep 12th 2011, 11:35

What Arriva does not seem to realise is that it doesn't have enough buses and drivers to provide a service as scheduled.

It needs double the number of buses as some are in for repairs or in need of servicing.

It or TM is combining route like Cirkewwa to Valletta via Fleur-de-Lys when the previous bus left every 15 minutes from B'Kara terminus and picked up all the people from the route to Valletta. The bus offered is every hour and by the time it reaches Fleur-de-Lys and Hamrun and will be full.

TM and Arriva do not undersatand that the previous routes are needed. We cannot have an interchange system with bus frequencies of an hour!!!

Mr Malcolm Mifsud

Sep 12th 2011, 11:34

I use route 91, the bus that leaves Marsascala to Valletta. I board from Fgura. To arrive in Valletta I sometimes have to either walk four stages up or take a bus in the opposite direction, stop on Zabbar stages and hope that buses coming from Marsascala are not full up. So far Arriva has not regained my confidence.

Mr Paul Mallia

Sep 12th 2011, 11:33

X'servizz servizz!!!!
Dalghodu mort fuq l-istejg ta' Hal-Qormi hdejn il-Policlinic u dan kien fis-6.10. ma' nafx x'gara ghax sas-6.45 kienet ghadha ma' ghaddietx karozza. Billi noqghod ferm vicin irragunajt li ahjar naqbad nuza l-karozza tieghi ghax sakemm ninzel il-Marsa ghandi ftit minuti mhux hazin (tikkunsidra l-hin li jakkumula hafna karozzi hdejn ir-roundabout tal-Lovenbrau), u wara nispicca nitlef il-X-buses kollha li jkunu tielghin l-ajruport dak il-hin. Sal-gimgha l-ohra dan il-kaz ma' kienx jezisti ghax il-karozza tal-linja kienet tasal fuq l-istejg comb fis-6.35 ta' filghodu u allura no problem, imma minn din il-gimgha inholqot problema gdida. X'gara? ma' nafx ghax anqas nista nirrikorri ghall-websajt tal-Arriva halli nara l-hinijiet jekk inbidlux. Insomma herba ghamlu aktar milli qatt kien jezisti. PROSIT - Erghajtu ghaxxaqtuha. Tinsiex li Hal-Qormi m'hemmx aktar karozzi hlief is-61 ghax dik ta' Hal Qormi (San Gorg jigifieri is-63), suppost titlaq kull siegha, u biex nirkibha tigini aghar. Nispera li jirrangaw ghax kont drajt nitla bl-Arriva!!!!!

Chris Tanti

Sep 12th 2011, 11:29

In Dingli today Route 52 departing at 6.20 (which used to be punctual last week), today arrived 15 minutes late at 6.40. At that time there is no traffic! I bought a one-week ticket and whilst last week I was given a sort of container-card for this week ticket, this time I was just given a ticket. There is no consistency whatsoever!

Chris Attard

Sep 12th 2011, 11:27

As for Routes 81 and 82 what about shortening the routes so that it will go directly to Valletta instead of wasting time passing to Marsa Park-and-Ride? I knew of a lot of people who complained with arriva customer care about this...but seems like they were all ignored!

Stefan Fenech

Sep 12th 2011, 11:27

I wonder how Arriva can regain the confidence of the Lija residents. ROUTE 43 was supposed to be extended so it would cater for Naxxar Higher students. Therefore the original route was supposed to remain unchanged. Now, not only that the route has changed but the ROUTE 43 is no longer entering near the Torri Belvedere of Lija. To catch the Route 43, Lija residents have to walk to the bus stop next to Bathroom Design, which in Winter due to heavy rainwater, one would probably need a gondola to cross to the other side. The most ridiculous thing is that even Arriva's help desk and customer care didn't know about this changes because in the own words "It is only an extension and the original wasn't meant to be changed".

K. Vella

Sep 12th 2011, 11:27

Way back in July, we were promised that ROUTE 81 will be revised, to-date we did not receive any news.

I hope that this 1 hour long journey will be included as part of these changes.

J. Falzon

Sep 12th 2011, 11:24

this morning 51 and 52 buses were full up and not punctual I hope that arriva will take note of this !!!

Mr Charles Falzon

Sep 12th 2011, 11:23

Bqajna xorta!!!!!

Marty Matthews

Sep 12th 2011, 11:13

So far their new improved 100 % service has not worked out.....I missed a bus at 9.00am this morning going from Qawra to St Juliens....according to their timetable a No 11 bus is there every 30 mins and a number 12 every 15 mins (4 per hour) so how come no buses turned up until 9.40am ???? a wait of 40 mins, by my calculations we should have had at least 2 No 12 buses and 1 No 11 !!!!!!!

Nicholas Cassar

Sep 12th 2011, 11:11

sorry ta imma l-ahhar kumment kien ta wihed ragel u qal li rah impruvja hafna iservizz pero qal ukoll li l-ewwel darba li uza is-servizzi ta l- Arriva. Tikontradixxi wahda ma lohra din il bicca. Il-problema hija wahda li qabel kelna karozzi tal-linja b'numru imdaqqas u issa bdawn il- karozzi il godda mandnix karozzi bizejjed li jaghmlu rottot addatati bhal qabel. Manafx ghaliex dan il pajjiz ma jarax fejn hu hazin u isewwih u it-tajjeb ihallih tajjeb ghax dak hu garantit li hu tajjeb ax tkun pruvajtu mhux it- tajjeb tibdlu ukoll u terga tihu riskju biex tara tahdimx sistema gdida.

Marco Farrugia

Sep 12th 2011, 11:03

Delays in Zurrieq today as well... Waited for 35minutes...

JOSEPHINE BORG

Sep 12th 2011, 10:58

We Fgura commuters have been posting comments from day one.....,.however it seems to fall on VERY DEAF EARS!!!!!!!!!!!! How long are we going to get more frequent trips so that we won't have to wait for more than 45mins to board a bus to valletta. Before the ARRIVA era, we had the luxury of having 6 buses operating our route..............now we are served with only one!!!!! We are all frustrated and ANGRY - but what else can we do when everybody is ignoring us.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Sep 12th 2011, 10:49

Tardiva, the joke of the century.

Mr Victor Calleja

Sep 12th 2011, 10:46

Yes I was one of the unfortunate commuters at a Fgura bus stop. After an hour waiting I decided to use my own car. For us in Fgura the service is still mediocre.

Mr d. attard

Sep 12th 2011, 10:45

the new Ċirkewwa bus ...service was welcomed and well patronised. It was especially welcomed by commuters in Fleur-de-Lys,

Can someone explain why the excellent route that stops at Mellieha, Burmarrad, San Pawl Tat-Targa Mosta and B'Kara does not stop at Xemxija? This two minute issue would convert the nightmarish experience of Xemxija residents heading towards the Hamrun into an excellent service. Why?