Bendy buses? They are absolutely great – Arriva
Operator CEO says they carry 150 people and are a cost-effective solution
Arriva CEO Richard Hall says bendy buses are great for Malta. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Bendy buses, which were ditched by the London mayor, are “absolutely great” for Malta, according to the company that operates them.
The extra long buses can carry 150 passengers, with Arriva CEO Richard Hall calling them “a cost-effective solution”.
Speaking yesterday in an interview with the national broadcaster, Mr Hall said bendy buses carried as many people as two double-decker buses.
The Times has been chasing Arriva for an interview with Mr Hall for the past few days but the requests fell on deaf ears until yesterday afternoon when a company spokesman said this would be possible later next week.
Speaking in the wake of severe criticism this past week over the company’s poor service on certain routes, Mr Hall said Arriva was committed to improving punctuality and reliability.
However, he ruled out increasing the bus fleet. “The number of buses we operate is absolutely correct in terms of the contract with Transport Malta.”
In a scathing letter reported by The Sunday Times, the transport regulator said that certain routes were ill-serviced because of lack of buses, which made it unfeasible to adhere to advertised timetables.
Mr Hall admitted that not enough buses were deployed on certain routes, adding Arriva had to improve reliability and this included working in partnership with the regulator, the Government and the police.
“We are starting to deliver, we have a number of action plans, we have addressed a number of service groups already and we are addressing another service group, the 70s,” he said. The latest controversy concerned the 71, 72 and 73 routes that service Żurrieq and the outlying villages.
Mr Hall said that, unlike European cities where Arriva operated, Malta presented a different challenge because the system had to be created from scratch.
“The integration of an entirely new network was a huge challenge, not only for the company but also for the skills of the people who were employed,” he said, adding the Arriva service was a huge improvement over the old service.
On accidents, Mr Hall said a transport company that covered millions of miles was bound to have accidents. He admitted that some accidents were the drivers’ fault but insisted there were other factors to blame, including traffic and road conditions.
Mr Hall said the company recently signed a collective agreement with the General Workers’ Union that will see drivers’ salaries rise by 36 per cent over three years.
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Franco Attard Trevisan
Nov 23rd 2012, 16:50
"He admitted that some accidents were the drivers’ fault but insisted there were other factors to blame, including traffic and road conditions"
The old buses were driven on the same roads with the same traffic but didn't crash a fraction of the number of times Arriva did... Can Mr Hall explain this phenomena?
James Dewar
Nov 23rd 2012, 17:14
Yes, I previously commented on that as well, but as for an explanation, don't hold your breath, Arriva continue to make statements (many grossly inaccurate and unsubstantiated) but explanations are never forthcoming!
Gianluca Falzon
Nov 23rd 2012, 16:04
"adding the Arriva service was a huge improvement over the old service."
You know, when contrary to the old service, I end up arriving late thanks to Arriva, I don't see how the old service was any worse. Just because everyone is wearing a uniform and because the buses are more modern, doesn't make it a better service.
Luke Stivala
Nov 23rd 2012, 13:52
Did CEO Richard Hall bump his head before blurting out such a comment to the press ??
Raphael Dingli
Nov 23rd 2012, 02:33
bendy buses may be great for Arriva's bottom line - but they are totally inappropriate for the narrow winding Maltese roads. Surely the bigger picture should have been considered.
James Wightman
Nov 22nd 2012, 21:57
Unfortunately their length & articulation makes them a particular hazard when passing cyclists. They just never end and there is no way of telling it apart from the front. Bendy's are a menace.
I'm afraid I can not accept the disclaimer that due to the KMs travelled that accidents are inevitable/acceptable, there's such a thing as due diligence. If an airline said that it would go bust!
Paul Smith
Nov 22nd 2012, 21:45
Who are you trying to kid, Mr Hall?! What Malta needed was a lot of minilink buses.
Robert Lewis
Nov 22nd 2012, 19:59
Mr Hall bendy buses carry 150 according to you, (110 standing like chickens and may be 40 seated.) For your information trains carry 1500 and mostly seated, that is more cost effective. And for C. Cassar, I dont have a doubt that Mr Hall is experienced, but it does not neccesarly mean that what is good for other countries can be also applicable to our country.
Chris Tuckley
Nov 23rd 2012, 11:33
Please dont talk about trains to Arriva They run a rail service in the UK. Yes you have guessed, appallingly timing is usually within the hour .
Alfie Lewis
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:46
To MRC, Cassar I happen to be an ex bus inspecotor with the than LEEDS CITY TRANSPORT than change job and worked for the big NATIONAL EXPRESS,So I Tell I KNOW HOW BUSES ARE SUPPOSED TO operate' IM 100%SURE I KNOW moreTHAN YOU
Mr.W Cassar
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:49
LIKE!!
James Tyrrell
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:40
Has anyone, for example a journalist, considered doing a survey on the number of passengers carried on average on bendy busses in Malta? Might be interesting to see if it ever comes anywhere close to 150. Somehow I doubt it.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:47
On most roads being used by Arriva, bendy busses are not "great". They are "big", much too big in fact. What Malta desperately needs are shorter buses, shorter routes, more frequent departures and reasonable punctuality.
R Axisa
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:43
They are absolutely great - fil-veru sens tal-kelma. Xtaqt nghaddi kumment rigrward il-fatt li se jirrangaw ir-rotot taz-Zurrieq, Safi u l-inhawi. Hawn hafna nies qeghdin isaqsu - ghaliex ir-rotta taz-Zurrieq biss?? Ir-risposta hija wahda - ghax wiehed mill-irjus kbar li kien imdahhal fil-bdil tar-rotot joqghod iz-Zurrieq u bhalissa qieghed ihabbat il-bibien u xebgha jisma' tgergir.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:17
He admitted that "some accidents were the drivers’ fault but insisted there were other factors to blame, including traffic and road conditions." - Not to mention the unsuitability of bendy-buses.
"Cost effective ?" - In other EU countries, operators wouldn't be allowed to cram people into every square centimetre of bus space, so why are we being treated like sardines and EU inferiors ?
Victor Pulis
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:36
Bendy buses are cost effective and that's what interests Mr.Hall! of course he considers the bendies absolutely great!
Victor Pulis
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:31
Bendy buses carry 150 passengers and yet there are always huge crowds at the valletta terminus and on practically every stage. The system need not have been created from scratch. We did not ask for new and sometimes nonsensical routes which take you halfway across Malta before you reach your destination.
John Azzopoardi
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:27
no they are not........Not for a place like malta's towns and villages. They clog traffic. Period. Even the small ones clog traffice.
Angelo Polidano
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:01
James, there is nothing wrong with foreigners running businises in Malta, in fact there are a few that really showed their abilities, like who ran Malta airport, Bov, Air Malta and so on, it is upsetting when one makes a hash of things and then try to bamboozle us with excuses and try to make us believe how good one is.
Charlene Debono
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:25
They're great are they? I wonder if Mr. Hall would survive a bus ride without emerging with post traumatic stress disorder.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:01
Seriously, I would be interested to know how many of Arriva Malta's executive or higher management have so far taken the time to travel on route buses or sample routes and services with a view to commenting with some knowledge and authority on their suitability or with a view to making beneficial changes?
Shirley Debono
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:32
Haha good one
Tom Broadley
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:40
Arriva would say that, they would not admit to making a complete botch of the transport system would they.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:08
To be fair I don't think that they are totally responsible as TM must have some liability. It would be nice if Arriva were even to admit to their share of the chaos! Mr Hall's comments seem to suggest that is becoming less and less likely! I think that he is in the process of convincing himself (and eventually others) that all is well and Arriva have solved Malta's public transport issues!
Angelo Polidano
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:22
Here is Mr. Hall rubbing salt into the wounds and we lap it up. Are we going back to conolianism, having a foreigner telling us what is best for Malta? Then he has the cheek to blame the drivers for the accidents. Who engaged the drivers? Just goes to show how professional they are.
joe vella
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:04
sorry angelo but he is 100% right take it from an experienced bus driver with a 100% record
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:16
The fact that he is a "foreigner" is hardly relevant. The fact that he and the rest of his management team continue to prove that they are completely out of touch is highly relevant and insulting to the Maltese travelling public.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:18
@ joe vella: Joe, with respect to your stated experience, he is probably accurate in the carrying capacity / cost effective aspect but totally wrong regarding their suitability for Maltese roads, towns and villages.
Chris Tuckley
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:32
I am the same nationality as Mr Hall the difference is I live in the real world not the one he lives in. From what he says about the bendy buses I can only believe it is cloud cuckoo land. Bendy buses are ok if there are no corners to go round or the route was built for the buses. They where no good in London with wider streets and roads. Maltas roads are narrower and tighter.
E. Azzopardi
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:13
These bendy buses are part of this "service" ARRIVA is giving, which has been stated as being "unacceptable"!!!!
And it is not Mr Richard Hall who has to confirm that they are great for Malta but his PASSENGERS!
I'll leave it at that.
Mario Camilleri
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:56
Now Richard Hall a foreigner is singing the same tune as Gatt and Delia, telling us what we should or shouldn't have. An insult towards all the Maltese. No wonder why London mayor Boris Johnson laughed with all his heart while saying that he's pleased to announce that they "are now clogging up the streets of Malta. We were, are and will still be "Maltese gemgem"
Ramon Casha
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:30
Sure the bendy buses are a cost-effective solution: Arriva gets by while paying fewer drivers, at the cost of everyone else who uses the roads or the buses themselves.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:18
That's it in a nutshell!
Mr Duncan Scerri
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:24
I am tired of hearing the same excuses, often peddled by Gatt. The bendy buses may be able to carry more passengers than smaller buses, but they're not always full, therefore the argument falls flat. They do, however, *always* block the roads. They are unsuitable, should never have been brought to Malta and all those associated with the decision should be removed from all positions of authority.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:22
He keeps harping on about "traffic and road conditions" as though they were not present when the former buses were operating!! He is showing himself to be as out of touch as his stresssed predecessors and does he really believe what he says about bendy buses in Malta ? It's all about cost / profit to Arriva and less about service.
Alfie Lewis
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:17
With regards to the comments by Mr.Hall, I WOULD SAY THE SAME THINGS MAYBE EVEN MORE IF i was getting his huge wage and perks, I WOULD EVEN SAY THAT BENDY BUSES ARE THE BEST THING that was ever invented since sliced bread, as long as Arriva coffers are full.Hallina Mr. Hall.
C Cassar
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:29
Yet he has many years experience of working, operating and designing modern transport infrastructures in major European cities. You have none. Therefore it's quite simple who to believe.
Peter Murray
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:12
C,Casasar,
Unless this comment is intended to be ironic and judging by your previous input's you never struck me as being a disingenue.As it just makes Mr Hall's comments a damage -limitation exercise which fly in the face of reason.Trust no one sir, especially those with vested interests to defend
Toni Borg
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:34
Cassar... is not a European city but a town full of pathways! Therefore Mr. Hall's experince is useless for Malta roads
Deo Catania
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:21
C.Cassar, can't you realize that you're making a fool of yourself? actually you've bored everyone now and still your nonsense comments are published.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:53
It is good that Mr Hall continues to make such wide of the mark statements as it serves to confirm what many already know and some (C Cassar amongst them perhaps) have yet to realise: 1. Arriva don't listen. 2.Arriva don't care. 3. Arriva have only their own commercial interests at heart.
Mr.W Cassar
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:52
@ C. Cassar
I guess Boris Johnston is wrong too.. he is not Maltese!
Hallina!
Peter Murray
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:17
Ask him this question please -How many bendy buses have been involved in road incidents -ALL road incidents -including blocking the road or damaging other vehicles when" jammed in " and how and why are these buses suitable for Malta's needs and roads when they were clearly unsuitable for London and other UK cities?1 other question -How many supervisors /inspectors do Arriva possess?
darren deguara
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:07
maybe they got stuck cause some stupid's /arrogant , park on double lines or to by cheesecakes, on a bus stop ( or in malta maybe we can call it "pastizzi parking" ) if police or TM really want to work hand in hand with arriva, we drivers have thousands of photos with cars badly parked that block public transport.
Chris Finch
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:16
Mr Hall, calling the bendy buses a 'cost effective solution' only makes them absolutely great for Arriva and your bottom line.
They are too long and too wide for Malta, and the drivers lack the skill to drive them safely.
C Cassar
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:28
No they are not. I agree that Maltese drivers will never have the skills or aptitude to drive any bus under a modern and professional organisation.
Paul Kew
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:45
Mr Finch according to King Long and Mercedes Benz web sites the specifications on width are the same they are 2.55 metres wide.
James Dewar
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:57
@ C Cassar: Surely an insult to the hundreds of Maltese bus drivers past and present who have capably and skillfully driven buses probably millions of miles on Malta and Gozo over the years without the chaos that has marked the current transport providers efforts so far.
darren deguara
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:10
if we lack the skill, what about private cars , and delivery vans? dont be stupid, 10 hrs a day driving and you say we lack the skill. the agreement with gwu thats making the drivers go nuts. yes the G.W.U !!!!
Louis Saliba
Nov 22nd 2012, 21:05
@ C. Cassar
Over the years, Maltese drivers have amply demonstrated their ability to drive any bus. What this has to do with working under what you call a modern and professional organization only you know.
Quite a lot of people have now become sick of your insulting and racist comments on everything Maltese, and we would all be grateful if you vent your spleen somewhere else.
Please choose the reason of your report below: