Does it really pay to use public transport?
Car ownership is exceedingly high given the size of the country. At the end of last year, the stock of licensed motor vehicles stood at 311,947. Of these, 76.9 per cent consisted of private vehicles and 15.5 per cent were commercial.
Higher fuel prices thus affect the pockets of many. When the latest increase in the price of fuel was announced, Arriva’s public relations arm noted publicly that not only would the rise in fuel prices not affect fares but that it also paid to use the buses. It even listed examples of how much it would cost a commuter to use one’s own car as against public transport.
The difference between what one pays in fuel when using one’s own car and a bus trip can be quite significant. However, when Arriva flagged this, it did not take into consideration other reasons why many still prefer to make their own transport arrangements.
Although complaints about the service offered by Arriva are few compared to when they started last year, there are still a lot of disgruntled commuters, as a cursory look at the letters’ pages would show. Readers complain that buses are seldom on time, that, at times, they do not show up and that buses change routes leaving commuters stranded, just to mention three of the more common complaints.
What action is taken when reports are made to customer care?
And what about the driving? Do Arriva officials board the buses regularly to see for themselves or do they only stick to their cars?
It seems that some drivers have not yet got used to the new buses, braking suddenly, driving in the middle of the road and failing to stop close to the kerb to allow passengers to get on and off easily while, at the same time, also stalling traffic. There are a few who act as though they are the kings of the road too.
When Arriva took over, getting on the bus was a welcome experience and a change in attitude was immediately evident. However, this has all changed and there has been a re-emergence of arrogance, generally speaking, of course.
Responsibility for the choice of buses, some of which tend to be too big and wide for our roads, lack of adherence to timetables, better customer care and not taking commuters for a ride should be shouldered by those in charge. It is about time heads rolled for it is no use saying that the service is still new and that things will settle down eventually. More than nine months have passed since Arriva buses hit our roads and the promised improvement in service seems to be forever eluding us. This is no longer a case of tolerating teething troubles.
If Arriva does not do it, then the authorities responsible for public transport should see to it themselves, even though they too have a lot to answer for. They must ensure that the buses run on time, stick to their designated lanes and not take up entire roads by not using bus bays or stopping in the middle of the road.
The police and wardens have a job to do too and must ensure motorists do not obstruct buses in any way.
It is only once a marked improvement in the service is seen that people will start to use the buses. It is only then that it would definitely pay to use the buses and that would hopefully result in a marked drop in the number of cars on the road.
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Adrian Muscat
Apr 26th 2012, 11:20
Not until we all pay for parking in busy areas
Carmel Vella
Apr 23rd 2012, 06:46
If we had smaller , but regular buses driven well , and properly priced, we would have to be nuts to keep using our own cars for most travel. Get rid of the current monsters driven by arrogant and dangerous drivers at times. Let's have many more smaller buses, instead. If that happens, mark my words, traffic in Malta, shall be so much lighter, and the air would also benefit.
Joseph Calleja
Apr 20th 2012, 18:13
Suggesting Solutions:
Make drivers drive according to their license plates. For instance, if your License Plate ends in an ODD number, you can drive your vehicle on Mondays, Wednesdays. If your plate numbers end in an EVEN number, then you can drive your vehicle on Tuesday and Thursdays. Friday, Saturday and Sundays will be a FREE FOR ALL and everybody can dive their vehicle at will. This is only a suggestion but it will cut the numbers of cars on the road by half. By the way anybody caught driving on the wrong day will have his vehicle impounded on the scene and heavily fined. This rule of course will exclude, Emergency vehicles, Public transportation vehicles, Government vehicles and of course commercial vehicles, delivery etc.
Don't kill the messenger, this is only a suggestion which should be seriously looked into. How about it Transport Malta, Do ya Feel Lucky? Try it for six months and see how it works, if by any chance it does not work, you can always blame it on me. No more traffic jams especially, on Monday through Thursday?
Carmel Vella
Apr 24th 2012, 23:42
Singapore started that system in the early eighties, with very serious fines for violators. They also would not allow anyone to get a new car without first handing over the old one to the government for disposal.
Stefan Limongello
Apr 20th 2012, 14:04
I tend to agree with this well-balanced article. If I may add, buses tend to be dirtier than in the beginning, most of the bendy buses make squeaking noise that indicates that maintenance is not a priority and drivers tend to park in the wrong bays and easily get arrogant when a customer asks if the number displayed is the wrong one.
Not to mention other minor things such as the displayed directions on the side that have been eliminated (they never were the correct ones anyway) and the numerous mistakes that come from the speaker.
Lately, I noticed a bus that had number 21 in front (electronic), 91 on the front windscreen (paper) and 82 on the side (electronic). This bus was nearly full up and was going to Zurrieq! Therefore none of the numbers corresponded with the route taken.
Godfrey Camilleri
Apr 20th 2012, 12:34
Customer care: need an example? Just a simple question asking for the times the bus should be at two specific bus stops has gone unheeded for over two weeks. Many bus stops still do not show the time the bus is due. If drivers are ahead of schedule they don't wait but drive on regardless of leaving people stranded. Yes a lot still has to be done to convince us leave our cars behind and use the buses.
Joseph Calleja
Apr 20th 2012, 19:34
"AND THE BUCK STOPS HERE". He said. Seems like we are moving forward, stuck in the same old place. The PM seems to be just as good as his predecessor. You know who I mean? Maybe Mep Simon Busuttil should take over Arriva, and then maybe we'll get somewhere. I have to admit, he is a man of his word.
James Grech
Apr 20th 2012, 11:09
There is also the issue of compensation which Arriva is being given due to changes effecting its routing plans, which have increased considerably. Thus over and above the amounts that commuters are paying for the service one should also factor in these amounts, after all these are coming from the ppl's taxes.
Francis Sammut
Apr 20th 2012, 11:06
Minister Gatt, Mr. Delia of the Ministry of Transport and Prime Minister Gonzi, the above editorial are wise words indeed. It would do you and us commuters a lot of good if you were to listen for once and take heed!
ANTHONY PAVIA
Apr 20th 2012, 10:55
May your prayers be heard.
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