‘Illegal parking is getting in the way of our buses’

Arriva buses are being hampered by “indiscriminate illegal parking”, even at junctions, making it difficult for them to manoeuvre, managing director Keith Bastow has complained.

There is indis­criminate illegal parking all over, even at junctions

“Accidents involving Arriva buses are within the parameters expected. We must not forget that three-quarters of our 800 drivers are new, which heightens the potential for accidents,” he said.

“However, there is also indiscriminate illegal parking all over, even at junctions, hampering our buses and making it difficult for our drivers.”

Arriva buses have been involved in nearly 300 traffic accidents since the new service was introduced on July 3, Transport Minister Austin Gatt told Parliament last month.

Mr Bastow was speaking during the launch of an advertising campaign on 75 of its buses urging people to drive slowly, wear their seatbelts and refrain from using their mobile phone while driving.

The campaign, designed in collaboration with the police, follows an internal one the company organised for its drivers in November. The campaign also coincides with the festive season.

“Safety is always high on Arriva’s agenda. Our buses are only a few of the vehicles on Malta’s roads and we must all be aware of the responsibilities we have when we get behind the wheel,” he said.

Police superintendent Martin Bayliss said speed, the lack of use of safety belts and mobile phones were three major causes of traffic accidents in Malta. The police are also worried about the use of mobile phones to send text messages while driving.

Some 50,000 people die across Europe for not wearing their safety belts, he said, adding that the law also covered passengers sitting in the back seat.

Mr Bastow said the company planned to extend the campaign to other issues, including the use (and misuse) of the 112 emergency number. The campaign was launched at the Pembroke park-and-ride facility which is being inaugurated in time for the Christmas season, providing motorists with the possibility of using 19 bus services linking this car park with the Sliema shopping area, among others.

Asked about the park-and-ride in Floriana which, ever since Arriva started charging €10 a week, is barely being used, Mr Bastow said the rate compared favourably with those for cars parks closer to Valletta and the rate to enter the city.

“People avoid paying, it’s obvious, but our rates compare well. We will soon announce three corporate clients who will be using our parking facilities there,” he said.

Work on the Marsa park-and-ride facility is still under way.