Arriva: Better but a long way to go - AD

Although the public transport service had improved, the country was still a long way away from a public transport revolution, AD chairman Michael Briguglio said this morning.

Addressing a press conference near the bus terminus in Valletta, Dr Briguglio said:

"It is positive that Malta had got rid off its previous fleet of heavily-polluting junk buses and that public transport is no longer run by cowboys.

"Yet, what we have now is a public transport service, which, despite various improvements, still leaves much to be desired, especially with regard to certain routes which were removed or downsized.

"It is also very disappointing to hear of the exploitation of Arriva workers who are paid a pittance for long shifts.

"I appeal to such workers to find strength in unity. It is clear that the government, which refuses to give adequate funding to public transport, keeps washing its hands off responsibility for universally accessible public transport with goob job conditions."

Transport spokesman Ralph Cassar said it was clear that the system was not coping with the demand.

During certain period of the times the timetable and frequency of routes were not adhered to. The problem could be that there were not enough buses.

Mr Cassar said that Transport Minister Austin Gatt introduced a system which reduced subsidies but with unsatisfactory results.

The two different tariff systems were also hampering the driver with the result of longer trips and waiting times.