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Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 15:18

Bus crash: Police list the injured - Arriva says diesel may have mixed with rainwater on the road

All three buses were just 16 months old

Two Arriva drivers and 22 passengers were injured, two of them seriously, in a collision involving three buses at Portes des Bombes this afternoon. 

Sixteen were hospitalised and the rest were treated at Floriana health centre. None of the injuries are life-threatening.

The accident happened at about 3 p.m. when a bus heading out of Floriana crashed into the side of Portes des Bombes. It tore off part of its side and dislodged stones off the gate. Two other buses then crashed into each other, with one of them then crashing into a centre strip. Damage included a smashed windscreen.

A fleet of ambulances arrived on the scene within a few minutes and the injured were given first aid on site.  One passenger was seen being placed on a stretcher with her neck in a brace. Others were seen with blood on several parts of their body. Arriva said that one of the two seriously injured persons is a driver.

Some of the passengers who were not seriously hurt were taken to Floriana health centre in another bus, accompanied by a nurse.

The road  was closed to all traffic after the accident and a big traffic jam built up in St Anne Street. At one time there were 14 buses stopped on the lane to Marsa between Portes des Bombes and the lion fountain while another 12 buses were crawling along behind them and being diverted towards the Mepa offices.

ARRIVA STATEMENT

In a statement, Arriva said: “While our first thought goes to any persons injured in the incident including our drivers, we continue to cooperate fully with the Police and rescue personnel on site.”

"All three buses involved in the incident were purchased new for the contract and were 12m rigid buses registered for use in June 2011 and as such are only sixteen months old.

"The cause of the incident is unknown at this point and we are fully cooperating with the Maltese authorities in any investigation.

"Our incident investigation team on the scene have confirmed that road conditions at the time were wet following a heavy rain shower and there appeared to be traces of an additional substance mixed with the water on the road surface, thought at this point to be diesel."

MATER DEI HOSPITAL STATEMENT

In a statement, Mater Dei Hospital thanked all Accident and Emergency personnel who assisted those injured in the accident.

It said the A&E incident plan was immediately activated and followed accordingly.

"At 2:50 p.m.  the A&E control room received a call to assist a number of injured people involved in a road traffic accident. Ambulances were dispatched immediately to site. Two A&E consultants were deployed to the scene to assess the situation while other five A&E consultants took over the hospital's A&E department while various other professionals including nurses and other paramedics and MDH senior administration were assisting with the situation.

"In total the numbers of casualties assisted were as follows:

"A total of 16 patients were seen at the A&E department None of the casualties are in danger of loss of life and most of them will be discharged home. A few are still being treated at the A&E department and may require further in hospital observations.

"The patients admitted to MDH were all Maltese, save one Italian, one from Somalia and one from Congo.

A number of people were given treatment at the Floriana Health Centres for minor injuries sustained." 

POLICE LIST THE INJURED

In a statement the police listed the injured and their condition - although the definition of serious injuries appears different from that of the health authorities and Arriva.

The drivers were a 26-year old man from Qormi, a 44-year-old man from Hamrun and a 32-year-old man from Congo, resident in Sta Venera.

The police said a total of 26 persons were given medical assistance, 16 in hospital and 13 at Floriana health centre. The police gave the following details of those taken to hospital:

A woman, 52 of Attard, seriously injured;
A woman, 66 of Zebbug, seriously injured;
A boy, 16 of Qormi, seriously injured;
A Somali boy, 16 resident in Sta Venera, slightly injured;
Woman, 32 of Qormi, slightly injured;
Man, 29 of Hamrun, slightly injured;
Woman, 63 of Marsa, slightly injured;
Girl, 17 of Kirkop, seriously injured;
Boy 16, of Qormi, slightly injured;
Woman 54, of Qormi, slightly injured;
Woman, 61 of Qormi, slightly injured;
Woman, 69 of Hamrun, seriously injured;
Boy, 13 of Zebbug, seriously injured;
Man, 32 of Congo, slightly injured;
Woman, 64 of Qormi, slightly injured;
Italian boy 17, seriously injured;

None of the injuries are life-threatening.

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Kathy Elliot

Nov 27th 2012, 12:18

Evidently, you never drove in Italy... but yes, here it's no cheesecake either.

Bernice Vella

Oct 27th 2012, 21:55

Sinjura, l-accidents jigru. Pero il media taffetwa hafna kif naraw l-affarijiet! Ma rridx nghid li l-Arriva mghandhomx il hazin taghhom ghaliex mhux veru, pero ma tistax tghid li is-servizz ta qabel kien perfett lanqas. Il bicca xoghol hi li min mindu dahlu l-Arriva, kull pass li jaghmlu tigi mhabra fuq xi ahbarijiet. Personalment jien inhossni aktar safe fuq bus bil bieba mghaluqa.

Vincent (27) Cutajar

Oct 29th 2012, 14:47

The only think I like to say that this new Buses of Arriva are big for our roads. And we still shod keep the old once ruining as the tourist us to like them more then Arriva. Here in England we have the same problem in some small Cites, Do not see just London come around and see like Bath, Swindon and Speak most of the time Arriva buses keep the traffic still for hours.

Saviour Sam Agius

Nov 12th 2012, 17:16

When I hear these comments, I wonder whether the people who make them have actually used the old disservice on a regular basis. I've experienced all sorts of accidents on the old buses, and I'm not much of a frequent user. Let alone those who use buses regularly. I guess they'd have plenty of stories to tell.

Sue De Nym

Oct 25th 2012, 18:09

Exactly my thoughts!

Joe Fenech

Oct 25th 2012, 15:30

And how did the previous drivers cope with that? Don't blame it on the roads - blame it on the drivers and whoever employed them.

william cauchi

Oct 25th 2012, 18:25

Joe Fenech, you might be right on this one, cause if you brake a bit too hard just before that narrow gap, you are all over the place. But the point I wanted to make is the awful finish of the top layer of our roads. Many times with a front wheel car, even driving uphill, your wheels start spinning with the smallest increase on the accelerator. Meaning grip ZERO. Thanks a lot M.T.A.

Joe Fenech

Oct 25th 2012, 20:51

William, professional drivers are trained to drive in all weather conditions and all road surfaces. International drivers will tell you what they face when trucking round Europe.

Alex Buds

Oct 25th 2012, 14:13

Let me see if I read this correctly. The minister should be jailed because there was a traffic accident!

Maybe I better go drink more coffee. The world doesn't make any sense right now...

daniel muscat

Oct 25th 2012, 14:18

It's difficult to control a car or a bike on diesel, i can't see how one can manage to control a truck in that condition and in a slight down hill road. To add to this matter we use cheap tarmac not like abroad where the tarmac is harsh and can grip more, make it more safe for drivers and more road holding

Jon Vercellono

Oct 25th 2012, 11:31

I just wonder....how many times you have passed that stretch of road personally and seen the conditions personally. Maltese Drink Drive laws and lack of enforcement have caused accidents in that very spot - as have speeding many times. It is a dangerous road and needs a complete resurfacing - go to the root of the problem Ms. Fenech and not try a patchwork solution. Diesel only made it worse.

Ms S. Fenech

Oct 25th 2012, 12:32

Dear Mr. Cervellone, actually I pass from there everyday since I work in Valletta. The conditions of this road is MUCH better then the conditions of many other roads in Malta. Saying said that, I never had an accident in that spot since I, like many other drivers, drive sensibly. If someone wants to SPEED DRINK DRIVE, they can do so on any other road outside Malta. Or can they???

Paul Azzopardi

Oct 25th 2012, 11:06

You speak like that because you are not one of the injured. Probably you can afford to have your own car and probably you haven't used Arriva since they were here. I do not think we need the help of the FBI to say if it was diesel or not. By now we should have the result. Have you seen the report regarding the overturned trailer at Marsa? I think you are the ignorant.

Joe Naudi

Oct 25th 2012, 11:25

Hi Mr or MS Zammit

I fully agree with you that we should all wait for the police report before judging or making any comments at this stage. Joe Naudi

B Cassar

Oct 25th 2012, 12:00

I know drivers of about 24 and 26 years that drive buses even bendy buses. I'm sorry but to my opinion a driver of that age is not even enough experienced on a small family car let alone on such huge titanics. I dont' know what type of criteria Arriva uses for selecting drivers, but I'm sure as hell it's definitely a wrong one. I knew a guy that at age 24 was first a driver and then instructor.

Christopher Bianco

Oct 25th 2012, 20:19

@ B Cassar, age is a number i've been driving from when i was 18 and never had an accdent now i'm 29 years, age is a number!! its the mentally which is the problem as you can have drivers of 57 years worse then 23 year olds.

Secondly when the old buses where in services 23 year olds drove them too and we hardly had accdents

A.f Ellul

Oct 25th 2012, 14:41

You are right, to much drivers thinks that they are alone on the roads, driving angry ,using mobiles, loud volume that can be heard from 5 kilometer apart,no using of indicators, bright light which is very danger to others opposite drivers specially the blue light that makes you see only blue light and see nothing else.Need discipline on the roads.

Pancrazio Grech

Oct 25th 2012, 09:43

if there was diesel on the road , all cars should have skid into the gate

Jon Vercellono

Oct 25th 2012, 09:45

There have been many accidents in that very same set of lanes (southbound) over the past few years - its not the safest section of road at all. Please troll the Times archives for detailed reporting of these accidents.

M Manduca

Oct 25th 2012, 13:04

Dont exxagerate my friend, third world countries ride donkeys not buses.

Ian Mamo

Oct 25th 2012, 09:28

Jista mhux ikollok absss ghax jekk kien hemm il fuel ma l art lanqas gaffa ma tieqaf

John L Galea

Oct 25th 2012, 12:10

@Ian Mamo: you are presuming that there was fuel on the road, but if there weren't any then what?

Jon Vercellono

Oct 25th 2012, 09:22

There were lots Mr. Galea, and someone or myself can troll the Times archives to find them (they were all reported) and all not nice. I invite you to take a look at the archives.

John L Galea

Oct 25th 2012, 12:07

@Vercelleno: I meant yesterday not in previous incidents. I meant that if diesel was on the road where the incident happened yesterday, then other vehicles should have skidded too.

R Axisa

Oct 25th 2012, 08:24

allura l-Arriva biss skidjaw bid-diesel???

joe galea

Oct 25th 2012, 09:51

Agreed 100%

MT Caruana

Oct 25th 2012, 08:24

@M.Micallef,

In the meantime waqat dak il-hmieg u cekciek kollu, ( as you put it) qatt ma grat din il-bicca waqt dak iz-zmien!!!!

James Dewar

Oct 25th 2012, 12:07

Yes they should, they are meant to be professional drivers and should all times drive in accordance with the road conditions. Why did numerous other vehicless using the same stretch of road not crash?

Tessa Taylor

Oct 25th 2012, 08:57

At last a sensible and rational comment from someone!!
When diesel on the road is mentioned,why do all these people blame the buses for spilling it?!
There are so many cars dripping oil and so many roads in Malta which would not pass a Friction test.
One example is the hill near Sparkle Image in Marsaskala which is like an ice rink after rain and where there have been many accidents to cars.

David Pace

Oct 25th 2012, 18:12

Thank you Tessa

Michael Grech

Oct 25th 2012, 07:48

In the past some politicians apparently dear to your heart used to churn out nice phrases about responsibility, accountability and 'kultura tar-rizenji'. When it is their turn to face their responsibility and be accountable however, they and their lackeys start talking about 'axes to grind', destructive criticism and similar nonsense.
To the injured go my sympathy and prayers

john muscat

Oct 24th 2012, 21:05

Mr. Bartolo, what excellent service? Why don't you say that they drive like having a sports car, speeding, turning corners at high speed, so as to keep to their timetable.

Graziella Saliba

Oct 25th 2012, 06:44

no one knows what really happened!!! how you say he was tired???? as they are saying probably diesel was mixed with water and the road gets really slippery after some rain and with diesel it gets really worst... so don't come with conclusion as you don't know what really happened.

Louise Borg

Oct 24th 2012, 21:14

jien bhalek niraguna.

Stannis Baratheon

Oct 24th 2012, 21:53

What you say is true, but in this case you cannot blame the drivers if the there was diesel mixed with water on the road. Blame all those careless truck/van drivers who do not take care of their own mini vans and trucks who are responsible for the presence of diesel on the road in the first place!

Michael Grech

Oct 25th 2012, 07:51

Mela Gordon, nassumu li ghandek ragun. Kien zball li l-gvern fada s-servizz lil kumpanija li timpjega nies, flok halli nies li jahdmu bil-vetturi taghhom?

Ray Pisani

Oct 24th 2012, 20:37

Well said Pamela Borg for two days ago I was enjoying a nice drive along a quiet Salina Coast Road when at the sharp bend an Arriva bus driving on the centre lines narrowly missed my car and was driving over the limit, I was driving correctly and well on my side but still had to swerve to avoid a head on which could have spelt the end for me. Is this why we need to widen the road?
Ray Pisani

David Pace

Oct 24th 2012, 20:37

most in Malta need to discipline themselves when it comes to driving, most sensible drivers i bet have driven considerably abroad, im not sure there is anyone that i would call qualified to teach a new driver how to drive properly in Malta and this is why the standards are unlikely to get any better.......as for overtaking on yellow lines i think that's a perfect example of what i am trying to say.

Alan Xuereb

Oct 24th 2012, 20:26

ghax ghandek tkun taf, li qabel kienet il karozza tieghu u issa m'ghadiex! ma tridx tkun genju JB

David Pace

Oct 24th 2012, 21:34

and as far as i am aware the old regime of buses werent insured at all

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 21:58

I am certain that if negligence can be established and proved against Arriva and / or their drivers injured parties will certainly be able to claim for compensation. If they can not be found to have been negligent then they would not be liable to be sued.

Stephanie Vella

Oct 25th 2012, 00:49

Where did you read this information as I cannot locate it anywhere, thanks

John Benner

Oct 25th 2012, 07:35

I think you will find Arriva is responsible if it is found they caused the accident , otherwise they could not operate a service in Malta , it is unconceivable to think they have no insurance , I think you need to read the conditions of carriage .

George Reeves

Oct 24th 2012, 20:24

Mr Spiteri, you are 100% correct. The so called route planners don't go out on the roads to see how the route's they created don't work, if they travelled by bus themselves they'd soon get something done about it.

William Caligari

Oct 24th 2012, 20:35


u Manuel Delia???

Stannis Baratheon

Oct 24th 2012, 21:55

Arriva go out of business? Arriva do not operate only in Malta, they probably regret every moment of it when they decided to "expand" their business to Malta.

Luke Formosa

Oct 25th 2012, 14:08

Well, the Maltese branch anyway. I doubt the overseas branches are going to be too happy to have to constantly pump money into the Maltese division just to keep it afloat.

George Reeves

Oct 24th 2012, 20:27

Francesca, why do you blame ARRIVA, it's the drivers to blame for the accident's, and the route planners for the tight timings, not ARRIVA!!!

Francesca Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 19:24

Bis serjet qed tghid?? Int xi hadd ta TM jaqaw? How many accidents have been reported we wonder about how many go unreported ) and the man hours lost by passengers, and their injuries in this case - will they be abl to claim insurance?

Mr robert micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 19:38

yes unless its you lying in hospital Noel why all the fuss.

mark borg

Oct 24th 2012, 19:43

u zgur why all the fuss ,sewwa qed tghid xi elf u seba mitt accident f sena joperaw go malta....issa normali ....u dawn incidenti li kienu irrapurtati min jaf il veru numru ! .........din ohra bhal tal klandestini go malta ! hadd ma ghandu idea vaga kemm hawn !

Peter Murray

Oct 24th 2012, 19:44

No one to blame-really?On what grounds do you base such an uninformed and injudicious conclusion?

Joseph Galea

Oct 24th 2012, 20:00

@Noel Int bis-serjeta jew qed ticcajta?!!

Josef Schembri

Oct 24th 2012, 20:01

im a driver luckily not for arriva so i can tell you what i c every day... do you think you can learn to drive a bendy bus in 3 weeks? cause thats how long it takes you to get the special license with arriva.

Joseph Sant

Oct 24th 2012, 20:15

In 20 years that I remembered the old buses, I never heard of one single accident. The issue here is that the driver is not the owner and he does not give 2c if he crashes or not. If it was his bus then he would take care of it and drive it carefully.

edward borg

Oct 24th 2012, 20:23

Jaqaw int mhux xi kandidat nazzjonalist li ma tisthix

Reuben Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 22:15

That's the problem you get with freedom of speech! White collar Arriva employees have to defend their job after all!

David Pace

Oct 24th 2012, 21:17

yes sending SMS while driving is a very serious problem, i must say a lot more dangerous than speaking on the phone, trouble is the enforcers are guilty of this also, many a time iv seen a Poice officer or Warden with his head looking down at his phone while he or she sends an SMS, not a very good examply im afraid from those employed to enforce regulations and make our roads safer!!

Oliver Sammut

Oct 24th 2012, 22:47

I compleatlyi agree with you , also near schools with the police present they drive with no seatbelts children on the front seats , it seems that some peple think they are special and nothing can happen to them or thier children , and if somthing happen mater dei is few minutes away mhux hekk .

Francesca Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 19:22

As the Minister responsible for this chaotic situation Austin Gatt should tender his resignation and Arriva's contract should be terminated forthwith. It is a national disgrace, every day we hear of accidents, delays, unperformed trips and so on. Its time to stop this particular circus.

Glenn Barry

Oct 24th 2012, 19:23

He certainly will not since he is not contesting!

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 19:35

Why? Was Austin Gatt driving any of the vehicles in the incident today? No, so please stop posting pointless comments.

David Pace

Oct 24th 2012, 21:38

TM is too busy collecting astronomical registration taxes to be able to effectively enforce regulations, similar story to MEPA re building regulations............both do little good but hey they dont half collect some taxes.

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 22:11

@ C Cassar: No he wasn't driving any of them but he was responsible for bringing them to Malta so must expect criticism in respect of the ongoing shambles after his propaganda and promises last July. Had it all gone to plan (there was never a chance) he would have been more than happy to take the credit and bask in the glory!
@ Francesca Abela: Francesca, for once I agree with with you!

Lino Busuttil

Oct 25th 2012, 01:44

No Austin GATT was not driving any of them, he just drove the whole lot of public transport into its present state!

Mr M Spiteri

Oct 24th 2012, 19:46

i think we are already wishing we had our old government....the labour government which built this country from the foundations.

Cornelius Murphy

Oct 24th 2012, 21:23

I can't tell if you're joking, Mr Spiteri.

In any case, look at this graph and try and understand it: http://bit.ly/TGBSvR

George Formosa

Oct 24th 2012, 19:13

anyone can skid on wet tarmac. I bet you if we were with the old buses and this happened, the bus that hit the gate would've gone through the wall, with the impact of the crash people would have been KILLED not injured, and I can assure you that the drivers would have had a go at each other, if we were with the old bus service that is.

Anthony Paris

Oct 24th 2012, 19:48

Mr Formosa, can you recollect a 3 bus accident with 22 people hurt with the old bus system? Can you recollect anyone being KILLED in an old bus? And we are talking 60 years of old buses versus one year of new buses.

George Reeves

Oct 24th 2012, 20:35

Victor, why don't YOU go to the ARRIVA bus depot and speak nicely to the drivers and ask them to SLOW DOWN and make sure they drive fit for road and weather conditions. Also ask them to be a bit MORE SYMPATHETIC to the passengers, that would be a first for a lot of the drivers. Don't blame ARRIVE blame THE DRIVERS that have the crashes. I'm no fan of ARRIVA, I've waited hours for a bus.

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 22:15

@ George Formosa: Yes especially if they are not driving in accordance with the road conditions! It's an almost certainty but bus drivers are meant to be professional and competent and take account of these things. They are responsbile for a very valuable and fragile cargo.

Benjamin Wirth

Oct 24th 2012, 18:51

I have also experience a bus skidding while riding on it. This incident also happened in wet roads which led me to look at the tires of many buses

Luciano Pace Parascandalo

Oct 24th 2012, 19:15

usual problem with japanese and asian vehicles where the tyres are to hard for our surfaces and too slippery when wet...however i'm sure the secong and third bus crashed trying to avoid the first one

Reuben Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 22:21

did you ask yourself if such accidents happened before when the old buses were in operation? We rarely heard of a bus accident!
- Buses were OLDER
- tyres / engines were WORSE (no abs on a 100 yr old bus!)
but there was only one difference
- The drivers (with all their faults) were much more experienced at handling large vehicles!
- so NO it's not the tyres i'm afraid!

George Formosa

Oct 24th 2012, 19:15

nahseb dan huwa l-iktar kumment b'sens u sugu fih li qrajt s'issa.

J Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 18:21

Yes, they should in fact.

Doris Farrugia

Oct 24th 2012, 18:32

But Mr.Muller, when we had the other bus service, the roads were even worse and we never had these chaos on our roads as we have today.If you say that the traffic has increased, I believe you 100%, but you can't blame the people for not trusting the present service,and now after what happened today!

Kevin Muller

Oct 24th 2012, 19:18

@ Doris Farrugia - I agree with you. On top of messy roads, we got a messy bus service. Beside they have chosen the wrong bus fleet (too big for our narrow roads) obviously the drivers are stressed by keeping the schedule on one side and to deal all the time with selfish car owners who stop their car wherever they like on the other. As long this problems are not tackled, nothing will change.

J Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 18:05

X'jigifieri, Mr Cauchi, tigi tmaqdar dak li dawk l-ghorrief hafna gew jaghmlu f'pajjizna?
Mela tridhom jibilghuk? Ma tarax? Kellna tant imhuh brillanti jghidulna biex nghalqu halqna ghax il-Big Daddy jahseb fina u kull ma jaghmel Hu kollox sew.
Issa tara kemm ha jmaqdruk fuq il-kummenti tieghek jahasra...u jesemmu incidenti u d-duhhan tal-karozzi antiki-kellna id-doppju buses u incidenti nofs!

Robert Lewis

Oct 24th 2012, 18:08

Mr Cauchi I would like to add to your comment. And one used to travel seated most of the time, not like today, where one has to travel most of the time standing up, making ends meet to cope with their braking system. Its either something wrong with the drivers, they cant control the brake pedal, or the braking system is hopless.

S Scerri

Oct 25th 2012, 02:10

Except that the London road surfaces have a proper grip, not a non-existant grip like the roads in Malta.

M. Bartolo

Oct 24th 2012, 18:27

It seems you never used Arriva because they may be a little bit more civilised, but surely not better at driving!!!!

Jackie Hammett

Oct 24th 2012, 20:42

you are right about the speeding when i walk down to the village in mellieha ,the speed arriva they drive down the main road is terrifying one day something very bad will happen if they lose control alot of pedestrians will get hurt. something as to be done soon.

Tony Zammit

Oct 24th 2012, 19:24

Me too I drive to work now, I used to use the bus transport before, but with arriva always late for work..
unless we have a bus service that one can depends on we have to use our cars which is causing more traffic

Vince Cachia

Oct 24th 2012, 17:46

Jien nippreferi is-sistema, antika bil-hazin kollu li kien fiha ghax konna moqdijin ahjar SUR XERRI!!!

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:54

Maybe more than you would think if it meant staying alive!

marit pedersen

Oct 24th 2012, 17:55

People have very short memories Angelo, but then perhaps it does not suit them to remember, all they seem to be able to do is criticise Arrive. which I am sure is for there own agenda

Evan Zahra

Oct 24th 2012, 19:16

really should be wearing a uniform) up to my knowledge they had uniforms and as smoking in the bus it was fined if caught without. Regarding the routs and efficiency the routs before were spectacularly magnificent for us maltese and tourist to visit each corner and be catered in a decent time, which is not the same I am hearing about the new routes and predisposition. It is also true that with

Evan Zahra

Oct 24th 2012, 19:18

but stay as they were, that was serving us maltese and that was keeping a smile on the 85 to 90 percent of the tourist.

Louise Borg

Oct 24th 2012, 21:19

I will!

M Cachia

Oct 24th 2012, 17:49

you`re right,and who is the victim in suffering in all this,are the clients.IL POPLU MALTI....

Keith Pelham

Oct 24th 2012, 17:45

konna ilna 100 sena bit trakijiet antiki qatt ma rajna accidents daqs kemm kelna f din is sena li ilna bl arriva

Daniel Vella

Oct 24th 2012, 17:52

u iz-zlieq minn suppost jara li ma jkunx hemm???

Andrew Cumbo

Oct 24th 2012, 18:04

Le skuzi f'dan il- kas mhux tort tieghu imma ta l-Hon. Ministru Austin Gatt li kien qalilna li zmien il- buzzulotti spicca. Jekk kien iz- zlieq mishom hadu il- prekawzjonijiet kolla, bhall ma jaghmlu il- maggoranzza ta' sewwieqa l- ohra fi toroq. Ghax ma tghidx li fi zmien tlett gimghat ta' pratikka qeghdin nitfaw dawn is-sewwieqa fi toroq Maltin b'detriment ghalina ilkoll.

Mr Tony Gatt

Oct 24th 2012, 17:26

I passed two car crashes on my way from Marsa to Marsascala- both shunts. People will drive up each others tailpipes.

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:28

Obviously far short of what is necessary.

Tony Zammit

Oct 24th 2012, 19:35

vera

Anna Sullivan

Oct 24th 2012, 17:41

Definitely agree here... make them accountable for their errors... most of the old buses were owned by the drivers i.e. they cared about their assets and took great care of them. They were accountable for their possessions...

these drivers do not own the arriva buses i.e. do not care about them. Something needs to be done to make them feel responsible and accountable.. NOW not LATER...

J Grima

Oct 24th 2012, 17:42

and what about drivers of cars? with the same reasoning most of them are not human beings either. many drivers have no lane control, cause bottlenecks because they cant keep a lane, drive on tail so you go faster or maybe they think you will fly over the car in front, the list goes on......

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:59

@Anna Sullivan, the old buses were dangerous wrecks, they were neither maintained or looked after. They were effectively scrap for the last 30 years of their lives. People have such short memories.

Anna Sullivan

Oct 24th 2012, 18:53

@ Cassar, I agree with you completely that they were scrap etc. and in no way wish for those times to return. My point is that these bus drivers do not have any ownership and hence don't give two hoots about bumping here, there and anywhere...

G Buhagiar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:27

Hemm bzonn li l-Maltin iqumu u ma jibqghux igergru biss! Minn mindu gew l-Arriva fit-toroq Maltin holqu KAOS KBIR, grazzi ghal min ghamel il-kuntratt u l-ftehim basta qalulna li ha jkun l-ahjar servizz fl-Ewropa!

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 17:14

these were not bendy buses!

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 17:16

these were not bendy buses!

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:26

Can't agree with your assessment Justin, it can't be dismissed as "an accident". No, indeed the crash was NOT the direct responsibility of Dr Gatt etc but WAS probably a result of the casual and careless driving standards of Arriva drivers that can be seen daily. The old regime drivers were not all perfect but they were at least competent drivers.

mark borg

Oct 24th 2012, 19:51

allura li swewlna xi 50 miljun maltin biex hlisna mill imbarazz li suppost kienu nehhew mit toroq ta l-anqas xi 20 sena ilu .....issa li wikkewlna din l-imbarazz ta kumpanija li kissret hafna nies bid dizastru ta servizz , x tipretendi li noqodu nghidulu prosit min bellahomlna ????? ara li irnexxiet is sistema x daqq ta trumbetti e dak il kummidjant qed idoqq

Justin. G. Saliba

Oct 24th 2012, 23:04

James it's an accident, we have to remeber that even the old bus's use to crash... but we forget, just remeber before Ariva started, that a bus has crash ? thanks god no one was on that bus becose it would be worst then this one. When something like this happens we all be a police man and start to go to our conclusions. I use Ariva everyday and I find it very good .

R Axisa

Oct 24th 2012, 17:24

Amen

Mr Alexander Azzopardi

Oct 24th 2012, 16:57

Change the Drivers again ?? AUSTIN with the excuse of the old bus drivers and the old routes he introduced arriva, and now you come andsay we should change the new drivers!! whilst we allready had to re introduce the old routes just after week they where introduced. for me it seems that it was way better the old way.

Eddy Privitera

Oct 24th 2012, 17:00

Mandy Portelli: Ma tindunax li hemm ZEWG problemi kbar. 1. Dawn il-buses huma aktar difficli biex issuqhom minhabba l-kobor taghhom. Mela d-drivers irid ikollhom esperjenza. 2. Hafna mid-drivers QATT ma kienu jsuqu buses jew ingenji kbar hafna. Ovvjament qed jintbaghtu jsuqu wara ftit zmien minhabba li drivers qed jergghu jitilqu l-imjieg ma Arriva ! X'tistenna mela, mhux dawn l-incidenti ?

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 17:03

100% agree - without the union attached. Look at the problems that were caused when the service started.
But some of the drivers have been very good, and very cautious - we should look out to compliment them.

Robert Attard

Oct 24th 2012, 17:03

O yes Mandy, kemm ghandek good reasons jahasra:-)) I really like il-mod that you write. Really tajjeb....

Mandy Portelli

Oct 24th 2012, 17:10

Yes!!!! the drivers are the problem ...isnt it clear to you??? don't you see them driving like crazy maniacs??? they never give way and speed like there is no tomorrow....Yes unfortunately we have lousy Maltese drivers....even with the old buses they used to drive like crazy and have hurt many people....I know I used to get buses all the time but now im petrified...only and ONLY because of drivers

Laura Holmberg

Oct 24th 2012, 17:23

For your last comment: as I understood, buses do have the right of way, and I don't see nearly enough drivers respecting that. That being said, some drivers do drive with the bulldozer mentality of "only people in small cars should be cautious", which I obviously do not agree with.

m. borg (slm)

Oct 24th 2012, 18:51

Mr Vercellone tell that to the 22 injured people?

Why all the apologies? It simply has failed?

To err is human to persist in error is daibolical.

Robert Attard

Oct 24th 2012, 17:11

forsi wehel fit traffic Austin Gatt miskin....imsomma jekk dak jeqleb Austin 1100...jaqqadhom tnejn u jaghmel wahda ta James Bond....

Laurence Saliba

Oct 24th 2012, 17:11

ghax huma ma jirkbux fihom!!

Mandy Portelli

Oct 24th 2012, 17:18

What on earth does Austin have to do with it??? mela he drove the buses?!?! it;s the drivers doing it on purpose hu daqshekk

R Axisa

Oct 24th 2012, 17:25

ghax Mandy ruhi ....... don't you remember li Austin said that zmien il-buzzullotti spicca???

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 16:58

What about the raw sewage that was pumped directly into the sea for hundreds of years. At Sleima Ferry was an example an thankfully the EU put a stop to all of it. That was a disgrace let alone a a few hours traffic jam that you call a fiasco.

denise hobson

Oct 24th 2012, 17:09

Sure is buddy. Hank Marvin

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 17:05

dedicated bus lanes on all roads where buses travel with fines for private cars using them. that will solve the problem and keep the timings up -

Justin. G. Saliba

Oct 24th 2012, 17:00

Thay are all in automatic....

Yanika Quintano

Oct 24th 2012, 17:04

The buses are almost of all of them Automatic! so in this kind of weather they shouldn't have pressed way too much the gas pedal on focus more on the brakes! because everyone knows how slippery the roads get! and when having passengers it's not even funny!

John Baldacchino

Oct 24th 2012, 17:09

@ Samuel

You mean these cars are not even equipped with (ABS) and other similar anti-skid mechanism?
Mela dawn mhux godda?
No my friend you must be joking. The problem is the SPEED! And inexperienced drivers! And the busses are too big for our roads.

Keith Brincat

Oct 24th 2012, 17:17

The problem is obviously these skiddy roads because not only arriva busses skid but also cars.. arriva busses have an as tronic transmission which enables them to change gear even if the bus is automatic

John Baldacchino

Oct 24th 2012, 19:19

Two wrongs do not make one right even if other cars skid, SPEED is still the culprit that is, if the roads are slippery (and here we agree) then drivers must reduce speed. the mass of the truck with that inertia is deadly as we may see here. this was also revealed in a study carried out by an expert in Malta, I am not contesting who is at fault. but i can witness the arriva busses overspeeding

Raisa Marie Garcia

Oct 24th 2012, 16:46

Best comment so far :)

O Ghigo

Oct 24th 2012, 16:53

Good One! Well said!!

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:47

Valid observation Richard, good one!

Sarah Camilleri

Oct 24th 2012, 16:58

why should foreign drivers be any better than locals who are supposed to know the roads?

Dorothy Fenech

Oct 24th 2012, 17:01

Oh yes! How clever!!!!!!!!!!

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 17:50

I have been thinking about how to politely respond to your comment but still can't think of any other more appropriate word than "rubbish".

phyllis butler

Oct 24th 2012, 17:54

Are you joking? 'Modern buses with modern technology' Are you referring to the Bendy buses with no air conditioning and their wheels having seen much better days. These should have been scrapped or retained in England with their foreign drivers who have such a great track record.

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 18:02

@Sarah Camilleri: Well, you don't see this incident in many other countries. The Maltese simply have no aptitude at driving any vehicle and this fact is displayed hundreds of times each day all over the islands. No discipline, no responsibility and no accountability. Take a look in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, Scandanavia and see the driving standards and vehicle conditions.

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 18:04

@phyllis butler: Compared to the wrecks of the old 'system', these buses are space age an the Maltese just don't understand how they work.
Also, there were no articulated buses involved in this incident, so unlucky for you they had nothing to do with it.

Marthese Azzopardi

Oct 24th 2012, 22:27

Mhux hekk hux, ghax ta' Malta xejn mhu tajjeb. Mhux nirrangaw is-sitwazzjoni u nirrevedu il-kundizzjonijiet tax-xoghol, u naghtu tahrig jekk hemm bzonn, lix-xufiera Maltin; LE, ma tarax, dik mhux soluzzjoni. Is-soluzzjoni gib il-barranin, u lil dawk iva ghatihom paga ahjar!!!

Fejqan ta' malajr lil dawk kollha li wegghu f'dan l-incident.

John Baldacchino

Oct 24th 2012, 17:14

The air conditioning system don’t have climate control it is only designed for the number of air changes when the bus is fully laden in summer waste of fuel and uncomfortable!
(tal-qamel bil malti jew l-irhas)

michelle gaffiero

Oct 24th 2012, 16:51

the maltese hate arriva drivers cos they talk what the media is telling them to say. its aqll politics here in every thing. when a car crashes they all have nice words to comfort the driver. but when arriva is involved they talk crap. you're a real human being joseph

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 18:04

No not on purpose but probably out of carelessness and failing to take account of the prevailing road conditions. Surely common knowledge amongst drivers (especially professional drivers) that road surfaces are lethal when wet. Not one Arriva driver but three it seems Understandable that the driver would be upset at the consequences.

Anthony Mizzi

Oct 24th 2012, 16:40

As Speedy GONZales is known to say ."Arriba! Arriba! Ándale! Ándale!"

Arriba and ándale are phrases meaning "Come on!"

Anthony Mizzi

Oct 24th 2012, 16:40

As Speedy GONZales is known to say ."Arriba! Arriba! Ándale! Ándale!"

Arriba and ándale are phrases meaning "Come on!"

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 16:38

What's this got to do with China? The problem is the drivers because they were made in Malta. China has been into space several times, has the Maglev train and a whole raft of high tech companies making it the biggest economy in the world. What has Malta got? The word irrelevance comes to mind.

R Mallia

Oct 24th 2012, 16:59

China? Do you think this is because of the buses? It's bad driving end of story.

Evarist Sciortino

Oct 24th 2012, 16:33

Thank God!

m. borg (slm)

Oct 24th 2012, 16:34

Will be one of these days.

Jan Chircop

Oct 24th 2012, 16:42

Thats a piece of news in itself now is it not?

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 16:41

No but they shortened the lives and killed thousands of Maltese citizens and foreiners by their deadly emissions which were due to no maintenance or investment. Nice, so you think that was better. It sums up the mentality of the Maltese to environmental health. They're only interested in the euros in their pockets and where what they will have for their next meal.

Eddy Privitera

Oct 24th 2012, 17:11

C. Cassar: The former bus owners could have been forced to change their bus engines and/or buses. Routes could have remained the same, and possibly improved. More discipline introduced. And proper uniforms. Any bus and driver not up to such standards, would not have been allowed on the road.

Eddy Privitera

Oct 24th 2012, 17:13

Chris Vella: If what you wrote is what is happening, then it is obvious why we are having all the accidents by Arriva buses.

Chris Vella

Oct 24th 2012, 22:46

Mr. Privitera

its just all that I mentioned above.

also on the news I noticed one of the drivers is foriner. did any one care to explain the road conditions on rainy days and the no one indicated dengerus areas than you can add manegment malfunction as well to the list.

these are toys not buses it should be easy driving them but somehow they'r messed up

Janet Bayes

Oct 24th 2012, 16:48

Quite right Malcolm. Good job we never get snow and black ice - - the hospitals would be bursting at the seams.
Here where I live, on a quiet road in Gozo there have been 2 accidents in the wet. These have taken place where the near misses happen at least 3 times a day, but in wet weather people still drive the same way.

James Dewar

Oct 24th 2012, 18:20

Changed?? Have they ever been CHECKED one wonders!

J Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 16:27

No they are not.

I just go to know that a lady driver that joined Arriva had managed to make a mess of her tiny private car every time she drove it.

An now she's behind the wheel of an Arriva Destroyer!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!

Joe Naudi

Oct 24th 2012, 16:35

Dear Ms Falzon

I fully agree with you, it has nothing to do with the buses or the wet roads, it is to do with the reckless driving, the drivers drive too fast and are always speeding. Abroad they get wet roads and also snow and the bus drivers drive carefully. Arriva and Mr Gatt do something about it quickly and now, get your act together. Joe P,

Joe Naudi

Oct 24th 2012, 16:39

Dear Ms Falzon

I fully agree with you, it has nothing to do with the buses or the wet roads, it is to do with the reckless driving, the drivers drive too fast and are always speeding. Abroad they get wet roads and also snow and the bus drivers drive carefully. Arriva and Mr Gatt do something about it quickly and now, get your act together. Joe P,

Janet Bayes

Oct 24th 2012, 16:52

we had poor quality buses and poor quality roads before the arriva of Arriva.
The problem is poor quality driving. Some people should not be issur=ed with a licence to drive a pram.

Phil Bell

Oct 24th 2012, 16:36

Was it snowing? Was it Icy? even 90 year old people can drive in the snow and ice without crashing. The bus drivers are terrible drivers, what would they be like if it was in another country that had snow and ice? As for the roads being bad, what a load of rubbish. This is a main road that if driven at the correct speed and with full attention and awareness of the weather is not a problem.

J Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 16:28

Manwel Delia???


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Biggest joke he actually expects people to vote for him!!!

Ian Bugeja

Oct 24th 2012, 15:40

before commenting where any of the buses bendy ones?

jonathan galea

Oct 24th 2012, 15:41

x ghandu x jaqsam AUSTIN GATT mela u kien qed isuq? it triq hemm tizloq kif tara ftit xita, ahjar tajt xi talba ghal min seta wegga

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 15:42

sorry ta, but one of the buses pictured is not a "bendy bus" as you're describing; secondly traffic conditions (i.e. "typical" Maltese driving - a la private cars) was not described; buses are often cut off - lets hear the whole story before jumping to conclusions.

Chris Mifsud

Oct 24th 2012, 15:42

I cannot see any Bendy Buses in the pictures or in the video and there is no mention that the buses were Bendy ones. I can see 2 normal ones though.

Think before you open your mouth.

J Busuttil

Oct 24th 2012, 15:46

@ A. Scerri

Were you on the scene? Were they bandy buses ?

David Calleja

Oct 24th 2012, 15:55

Correction - Boris Johnson did not ''DUMP'' anything anywhere - he just told Arriva to get them out of London - issa exactly why we (MALTA) felt comfortable taking them is an issue we need to answer - not dear old Boris... maybe a few of our 76?? elected majors could get together and do the same ....

Vince Deguara

Oct 24th 2012, 15:55

This proves your idiocy... have you seen any bendy buses in the photos?

Dennis Zammit

Oct 24th 2012, 15:56

From the photos attached to this article, the buses in subject are the Chinese new King Long.

I think that Boris Johnson was referring to the Mercedes Benz bendy buses.

Gordon Galea

Oct 24th 2012, 15:56

Had Boris also 'dumped' the UK roads to Malta, such accidents would not happen - there is just no grip on the roads and several injuries and fatalities are directly related to sub-standard road infrastructure.

saviour frendo

Oct 24th 2012, 15:57

Arriva is just a comedy of HORROR or should I say TERROR for poor passengers. thanks a lot DR. Austin Gatt-----END OF BUZZULOTTI.

M Spiteri

Oct 24th 2012, 15:58

qed tara xi bendy bus int?

keith chetcuti

Oct 24th 2012, 16:00

sry but its not austin gatt fault but ARRIVA fault they knew what type of business is so they should have geard up them selves better

Ian Mamo

Oct 24th 2012, 16:01

OH quit your wining. Kont taf li ma jistawx jaghmlu emergency breaks tal linja??????? Habba in nies!!!!!!!! Anzi ghal tlett karozzi mhux hafna wegghu!!!!! Ikbru naqa, Kieku habtu l antiki, kulhadd wiccu infaxxat minhabba il hadid tas seat ta quddiemu!!!!!

J Martinelli

Oct 24th 2012, 16:02

You are pointing fingers in the wrong direction, I'm afraid.
You should have asked whether the drivers involved were: (1) Former bus drivers. (2) New inexperienced drivers. (3) Not adequately trained if new on the job. (4) Whether they were racing to reach their destination on time, and other pertinent questions like these.
Surely the new system was purposely designed to cause accidents! Crazy.

Chris Finch

Oct 24th 2012, 16:02

Boris Johnson was referring to the bendy buses. None of which were involved.

Patrick Jansen

Oct 24th 2012, 16:03

Another stupid comment. Do you see a bendy bus?

James De Giorgio

Oct 24th 2012, 16:03

just goes to show how uninformed your comment is. Boris Johnson only dumped the bendy ones; none of which were involved in the story above.

Jay Oatmon

Oct 24th 2012, 16:06

These buses were not bendy buses (from the pictures), and anyway it is not the fault of the buses it is simply stupid driving on a wet road.
To avoid this problem completely the buses needed to leave more space between themselves and the vehicle in front - they can then stop in good time - simples.

Ann Clark

Oct 24th 2012, 16:10

What are you talking about? None of the buses concerned are bendy buses! Just normal single decker buses! And if I am not fed up with the comments on this board about Boris Johnson sending bendy buses to Malta. Yes, maybe London did get rid of their bendy buses but they are used in many other English cities with no problems at all.

Fran Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 16:16

A. Scerri - it does not appear that the buses involved in the accident were bendy buses.

J Martinelli

Oct 24th 2012, 16:31

BTW, it's 'speech', not 'speach'.
Need to attend a 'repeater' class?

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 15:43

it wasn't part of the old bus driver's cirriculum either.

Svetlana Borg

Oct 24th 2012, 15:54

@Mario Giuliano,

if they were given a "crash" course, they have taken it too literally :-(

Mr Mark Bartolo

Oct 24th 2012, 15:58

"ARRIVA only gave them a crash course in Summer"

Seems like they took the crash part way too seriously!

Fran Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 16:19

OK then the injured passengers can sue Arriva for the drivers' dangerous driving if this is so proved ?

Fran Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 16:19

OK then the injured passengers can sue Arriva for the drivers' dangerous driving if this is so proved ?

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 15:44

passengers have to get to their destinations on time despite the ever increasing amount of cars on the road.

Joseph Barbara

Oct 24th 2012, 15:48

I use three to four buses a day and most of the bus drivers drive with only one hand on the steering wheel. The other resting on the driver's door or sometimes on the mobile with calls even from Arriva centres. This is also done on roads like Naxxar Road, Valley road and Fleur-de-lys and Psaila Junction, B'Kara.

David Cremona

Oct 24th 2012, 15:50

perfectly correct...never seen a warden or policeman booking any bus for over speeding on Tower Road.....wait till one Arriva bus knocks down somebody i suppose !!

Charles W. Sammut

Oct 24th 2012, 15:46

"Driving to the conditions" would mean stay at home.

These roads are deceptively slippery. If just one bus was involved, one would perhaps assume that it's the driver's fault. But when several are caught out, it has to be something else. It is shameful that in the 21st century, Malta's roads are still in this sorry state.

Not one single road is up to EU standard. Taxes are though.

B. Jones

Oct 24th 2012, 15:46

Spot On!

Gordon Galea

Oct 24th 2012, 16:01

While I agree that there's alot of stupid drivers on our roads, one cannot deny the fact that roads are way below standard and even if you are travelling at 30km/h and need to brake suddenly you will skid ... and that's using an average car let alone using a truck/bus which gathers more momentum. What do you do C Cassar - drive everywhere at five km/hr?

Mr Nathan zammit

Oct 24th 2012, 16:05

well said mr cassar.. wishing a speedy recovery for those involved!!

J Martinelli

Oct 24th 2012, 16:12

You hit the nail on the head.
If they don't already do, ARRIVA should adopt a 'Safety points system' where the driver receives demerit points for each accident and more points for passenger injury.
To be fair, drivers should be awarded points leading to bonuses for good driving records. This system automatically creates a disincentive for carless driving and an incentive for safe driving.

Victor Pulis

Oct 24th 2012, 16:20

L- aqwa li ma jdahhnux u n-nies li qed imutu bil cancer naqsu bin nofs!

L. Borg

Oct 24th 2012, 16:16

Ezatt!

Franco Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 15:48

IT'S THE SAME PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRIVA!

A Trapani

Oct 24th 2012, 16:00

the road where the accident happened is not in a sorry state.... the drivers should be sorry for causing this havoc not the government as you obviously try to put it.... as usual.

Chris Finch

Oct 24th 2012, 16:00

Or maybe the drivers for not driving according to road conditions. Many others pass by there during all conditions without incident.

J Martinelli

Oct 24th 2012, 16:19

A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
How many thousands of cars and buses travel on that particular stretch each day? Why are there not hundreds of accidents daily? Does it have anything to do with how some drive, irrespective of road conditions?
How about police investigating accidents taking into consideration tyre tread-wear as the real cause? Who's responsible for vehicle maintenance?

Charles W. Sammut

Oct 24th 2012, 17:01

@ A Trapani

That stretch of road is in a sorry state because whenever it rains it becomes extremely slippery. It is not a case of more slippery than when dry, as can well be expected. But dangerously slippery.

The coefficient of friction can be measured by a MuMeter, like they have at the airport. But it has never been used on public roads. The results would be shocking.

J Martinelli

Oct 24th 2012, 16:24

Mur gibek issuq xi mitt mil kulljum lejn u lura mix-xoghol fuq triqat miksija bis-silg!?

Kieku tirbah it-tigrija tas-'Slalom' kulljum u kull mument!

Peter Bonello

Oct 24th 2012, 16:38

if you skidded while doing 25, something is very wrong with you tyres!!! for the sake of your self, your family and for the general public i would check them out, possibly get a new set fitted asap. and choose something from a reputable make (Japanese, European, etc, but not Chinese!!)!!

Fran Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 16:11

I distinctly remember that some of the buses on the previous bus service did in fact have a notice 'ride at your own risk'.

R Axisa

Oct 24th 2012, 16:00

Raining is not something new! Have you ever seen such accidents with the old buses?? There's nothing wrong with raining, admit it, there's something very wrong with these Arriva buses.

Fran Abela

Oct 24th 2012, 16:23

R. Axisa - you must be joking or have a bad memory - do you really mean to say that the previous buses never skidded ?

R Axisa

Oct 24th 2012, 17:53

Fran Abela - but surely not at this rate!

C Cassar

Oct 24th 2012, 15:59

Considering the huge increase in bus journeys compared to the old 'system', accidents are much lower in total per km driven. The old wrecks had been operating for 50 years so reporting their frequent accidents over that period of time became a non-news item.

Peter Bonello

Oct 24th 2012, 16:35

@CCassar: are you for real????????? Old bus drivers were expert drivers capable of maneuvering their vehicle as if they were toy cars and they knew their limit well... we rarely heard of a crash involving a bus!!! We rarely heard of a bus blocking a road because the driver thought the gap was "wide enough".... come on, your comment is rubbish!!!

Jan Chircop

Oct 24th 2012, 16:46

C Cassar, so as the self proclaimed great authority on Arriva and government tenders, how is arriva going to compensate us maltese minions after syphoning out millions of our taxes and destroying our national heritage? Not to mention injuring maltese citizens...

Jon Vercellono

Oct 24th 2012, 17:13

Dear Mr. Bonello - you didn't hear about accidents with the old buses, because they were not reported. Secondly, from what I understand, if there had been an accident, the old buses were not insured either! And there were quite a few accidents with the old buses prior to them being phased out.

Julian Borg

Oct 24th 2012, 15:58

I guess Austin Gatt must have been driving all three buses at the same - it's all his fault!

Patrick Jansen

Oct 24th 2012, 16:01

What an stupid comment! Sure, blame the buses and not the drivers.. My God, what a mentality!

Joe Minuti

Oct 24th 2012, 16:32

Hope all the injured people get better soon and that they employ a good lawyer and sue the ass out of Arriva they should wake some of them up to all the problems they create.

Alfred J. McEwen

Oct 24th 2012, 15:57

Hilarious !! Good one that !

J Micallef

Oct 24th 2012, 16:30

Yep, Paul Camilleri I have to give you credit for that one!

Of course, only now tha tI know that my wife was not on one of the buses, I was really worried.

I wish them all a speedy recovery, and perhaps a lawsuit agaist all those responsible.

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