Bendy bus drivers flag absent safety features
‘System discourages reporting of faults’
A number of Arriva bendy buses lack working safety features designed to minimise the risk of passengers falling under the vehicle, two drivers have said.
Driver interlocks, which automatically prevent the snaking buses from moving if doors are open, are “almost always” switched off, according to a former Arriva driver.
The driver also claims that cameras aimed at buses’ middle and rear doors are often not working and sometimes missing, meaning that drivers sometimes cannot tell whether doors are still open when their buses start moving.
“It’s a tragedy waiting to happen and nobody seems to care,” Rosie, a former Arriva driver, said.
Rosie, who does not wish to be identified, resigned shortly after speaking to The Times over safety concerns and working conditions.
A recently retired bus driver and instructor, Gary Simmonds, who drove bendy buses in London until their removal in 2011, said he was “horrified” by the number of bendy buses in Malta missing the safety features.
Any bus without working door interlocks or cameras “would not be allowed on UK roads”, he said.
An Arriva spokesman said missing door cameras were sometimes out for repair and insisted that such devices could never replace drivers checking the doors through their side mirrors.
The company also said that while door interlocks were never switched off, drivers could disable them in emergencies by pressing a manual override switch.
Neither safety feature is explicitly mentioned in the company’s public transportation contract, which prohibits Arriva buses from moving if any doors are open. Transport Malta said use of cameras was “encouraged” and its inspectors had “noted a few instances where buses were in motion without the doors being closed and the respective penalties have been applied”.
However, Mr Simmonds said: “Bendy buses have these features for a reason. No new bus should move when its doors are open. No driver should be driving a bus unless they have working door cameras. It’s that simple.”
Rosie said cameras were out of order “so often that it can’t be a matter of repairs”. When challenged with Arriva’s statement that any disabled interlocks were down to drivers disabling them, she agreed, but said the company showed little interest in stopping the abuse.
“I’ve told management about this problem but they just shrug it off. And the system actually discourages drivers from reporting faults,” Rosie said.
It is drivers’ responsibility to check buses for defects when they pick them up from Arriva depots in the morning. They are given five minutes to do so, Rosie said.
“In those five minutes we’ve got to collect our duty sheets, find our bus and check it. And once you sign for your bus, it’s your responsibility. If you get stopped by a warden, you, not Arriva, pay the fine.
“We’re allowed to refuse a bus but three refusals get you a warning – even if you had valid reasons each time,” Rosie said.
Despite several reminders, Arriva did not reply to questions about its bus checking procedures. As a result, drivers tended to gloss over tests, she continued.
“Transport Malta inspectors sometimes come aboard and check but most only check the basics: breaks, indicators, headlamps, that sort of thing.”
Transport Malta said inspectors did not specifically check for working door interlocks, as these were a “standard safety issue”.
Inspectors had noted two buses that moved with their doors open in recent months, it said.
One bendy bus driver showed The Times his camera panel. Monitors were installed but not working.
“Drivers switch them off and nobody checks for them, so everyone’s happy,” another driver said when asked about door interlocks.
Mr Simmonds told The Times he kept a log book detailing various faults he noticed on Maltese Arriva buses. It details the bus registration number and its faults, from “cracked windscreen” to “bus moves with door open” or “smashed rear panel”.
Arriva is paid an average of €685,000 a month to run the public transport system using its fleet of 285 buses. It has also received various taxpayer-funded, one-off payments, including more than €235,000 to ship 30 buses to Malta and a further €244,000 to refurbish 28 vehicles it bought from Transport Malta.
Its original €6.2 million yearly government subsidy was upped to €8 million a year after widespread complaints of inadequate service led to a route overhaul.
Mr Simmonds said he had turned to the newspapers as a last resort.
“I’ve been to Arriva’s offices four times to tell them about safety shortcomings but they don’t seem to care. They just take my number, say they’ll call back and never do.”
Rosie, at the time still employed by Arriva, voiced her frustration.
“Whenever I complain, I’m told I should be grateful we’re not driving the old buses, with their exposed engines and no doors. But I didn’t sign up to drive those. What’s the point in buying modern buses if we’re not going to use them properly?”
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Carmel Brincau
Apr 1st, 13:19
Why should the newspapers be as a last resort,As I have already wrote about this issue, I would like to point out that the main people responsible are TM because they are more concerned about stopping Heavy plant lorries to check emissions which is good,but instead do they follow these means of transport for VRT inspections?especially when more safety is to be monitored on these vehicles.
Robert Jamieson
Jan 4th, 21:21
Having read all the comments to date, it seems to me that only C Cassar knows what he is talking about !
These buses work extremely well all across Europe and many Londoners miss their ability to move large crowds of people quickly and efficiently. I've been a little surprised at how fast the Maltese are driving these artics over such poor roads but that's the Maltese, not the buses.
Andrew Holland
Jan 4th, 11:51
Arriva is frequently a poor operator, even in my home country (UK). It's pretty clear here that a combination of poor standards (both operational and servicing), poor/weak/ineffective management at Arriva Malta and inadequate intervention by TM have lead to *vital* safety systems being inoperable (if they were not vital they would not be there!). TfL would not stand for this, nor should TM.
John Scerri
Jan 4th, 07:24
Until some years ago we had a conductor on every old bus who whistled or said ''Ejja'' to indicate to the bus driver to move on. This was done for safety of the passengers.
Should they be re- introduced , at least when buses sometimes lack door safety sensors ?
Otherwise the only way out of this is not to qualify unsafe buses to provide service until they are repaired.
Judy Vassallo
Jan 4th, 04:20
These buses should not even be on the roads of Malta, they are too big and cumbersum for the tiny streets of Malta.
Mario Pandolfino
Jan 3rd, 21:15
Il gimgha l'ohra tlajt fuq bus fuq rotta 72 lejn il belt u telghat tfajla bil wheelchair u ma kienx hemm problema .Wara ftit fuq l-istess bus telghat omm bil pushchair u l-istess ma kienx hemm problema.Dawn qabel ma setghawx juzaw it-transport publiku ghax ma kienux attrezati ghal dawn it-tip ta passigieri.Grazzi lil transport malta u Arriva.
E. Azzopardi
Jan 3rd, 17:52
The earlier we get rid of them the better.
vincent Lia
Jan 3rd, 18:49
You are very much wrong Mr Azzopardi, bendy buses carry more than twice as many passengers. Standing passengers are safer as they are low from ground level making the bus more stable. They are more friendly to disabled people using a wheel chair and mothers with prams. They are very friendly when there are many people waiting for a bus. In Malta passengers are only allowed to board from the front
joe vella
Jan 3rd, 20:22
the earlier we get rid of the maltese management the better they are the problem not the buses
Natalie Mallett
Jan 3rd, 22:53
Do you use them yourself? I am very happy with the service I am getting so please stop moaning and get some positivity into your life.
Henry S Pace
Jan 3rd, 17:24
Scap them all.
Malta has become the laughing stock of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
vincent Lia
Jan 3rd, 18:43
Bendy buses were originally introduced by Ken Livingstone a labour Mayor of London and taken out of service by a Conservative Mayor. He got rid of bendy buses as passengers were not paying the fares. A uniformed inspector comes from one door fare dodgers come out of another. In London to ride a bendy bus you must have a prepaid ticket and the driver does not check as you can enter from any door.
Ronnie Callus
Jan 3rd, 17:09
Veru mit-Tajjeb ghal ahjar Dr.AustinGatt / Manuel Delia.Veru tal-misthija qiesu ma' qed jigri xejn. Widnejn torox u ghajnejn mghottija.
vincent Lia
Jan 3rd, 18:55
In Malta all becomes a political issue by those of 'team maqud' complaining just about everything be it a bridge, a hospital, a school, vouchers for electricity, a smart city, a recycling plant, a sewage plant, low unemployment and even a good budget that gives tax cuts when other countries have more tax budgets.
Fran Abela
Jan 3rd, 16:28
Joseph John Camilleri - people who were and still are against the bus transport reform will never ever find anything positive to say about it. That goes to show how unfair they are but once the buzzword has been 'say everything against the new bus service' that is what they are doing. Again I say no one said the service is working 100% but neither is it worse than the previous bus 'service'
James Dewar
Jan 3rd, 17:27
Fran, the problem is that Maltese commuters and tourists were deluged with unrealistic promises about the new service and when it failed to deliver they had a right to be dissatisfied. The service has so far fallen far below the standard promised. To suggest that it is not worse than the previous service (and some would debate that) is hardly encouraging given the money spent and promises made.
C Busuttil
Jan 3rd, 17:52
I was in favour of the reform, however today I regret the old system with those rude drivers and by the way I am a nationalist as you will never even dream to be one.
Admitting that it has been a failure will be the honourable thing to do, I am certain it was not intended to be such. However facts are facts and I am afraid that soon we will hear more about Arriva
Andrew Pisani
Jan 4th, 11:10
After all the money that was thrown at Arriva and all the alterations Malta did to accommodate them, I would definitely hope it's not worse than the old system. However I feel it is. But that's my opinion. The main disappointment is that as always we were promised paradise and got Arriva instead. And as always the minister involved and his side kick Manuel Delia are nowhere to be seen
Helen Caruana
Jan 3rd, 15:26
L-ikbar zball li ghamel il-Gvern meta gab il-kumpanija Arriva biex tiehu post it-trasport li kellna ghall hafna snin meta kull sid tal-karozza tal-linja kienu jiehdu hsieb li isewwu u ihallsu l-ispejjez li jinhtiegu. Kienet skuza li l-Gvern qieghed jaghti s-sussidju lis-sidien tal-karozzi, is-sussidju kien qieghed jghin lil-poplu biex ma jaghallux il-fares u issa qieghed ihallas izjed sussidji.
George Cremona
Jan 3rd, 14:28
U mhux l-aqwa li l-arriva tibqa tahdem at all costs sa l-elezjoni basta ma tidirx li hija faliment totali umbad wara naraw, mhux kollox hekk qed jahdem go dan il-pajjiz.
Michael Camileri
Jan 3rd, 14:21
I am not surprised by the inadequate management with Arriva Malta.. endless complaints with suggestions never seem to work.
Boris Johnson on Bendy Buses and Malta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfaFLHyIfxM
john muscat
Jan 3rd, 14:14
My suggestion is, throw those bendy buses over the cliffs if the London Mayor doesn't want them back. I've seen one with the aft part acting like the wipers of a car, skidding from one side to the other.
W. Cassar
Jan 3rd, 14:13
Health and safety in Malta is a joke, its not just Arriva...... building practices, the Gozo Ferry, the state of the roads, lack of VRT on commercial vehicles, Gas bottle problems, the list is endless!!
Peter Murray
Jan 3rd, 19:16
Hear ,hear sir!
Louise Vella
Jan 3rd, 13:46
My grandmother, an 80 yearl old, was very lucky to escape a serious accident while going down from a bendy bus. Her handbag got stuck while the rear door closed and the bus started moving, dragging her along until other passengers started shouting and the driver stopped the bus. The safety features are there for a reason - the buses shouldn't be allowed to operate until everything functions well!
James Dewar
Jan 3rd, 14:08
Perfect illustration if there are still those that need one!
O Galea
Jan 3rd, 13:39
The only risk to life and limb are these god-forsaken bendy buses on the road. They are a danger and a menace to other motorists !!!!!
They have a sticker on the back of the bus depicting that overtaking (even on a dual carriageway) can cause a collision. As tho the sticker somehow makes it OK !!! These buses should be removed from our roads. Punto e basta !
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 14:24
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the articulated buses. The problem stems from those who drive them and other road users who don't give them enough space. The warning signs on the back are there for a reason, so why don't you heed them? This is typical of Maltese who simply ignore road signs and warnings. There really needs to be a sea change in the attitude of all Maltese drivers.
Alan Cotton
Jan 3rd, 15:57
@C Cassar, Very true words, driving here is an nightmare, does anybody really know what an "STOP" sign means???????????????
O Galea
Jan 3rd, 16:25
@ Mr. Cassar...(before you judge me). i was driving up regional road minding my own business... when one of these buses sped up the hill and in order to go around the roundabout swerved into my lane and nearly rammed me into the side wall !! Yes of course you are right... it's the people who drive them. I wouldn't dream of overtaking them coz i do not have a death wish. I reported him of course
M Farrugia
Jan 3rd, 13:38
Dwar l-Arria smana hafna mtul dwn l-ahhar xhur, kien hemm ilmenti gusti u ohran semplicment ta propaganda.Il-poplu japprezza hafna jekk il-Partit Laborista meta jasal il-waqt li jibda jjizvela partijet mill-propgramm elettorali tieghu jghiilna ukoll x'se jaghmel sabiex itejjeb it-trasport f'malta peress li huwa kien kritiku hafna dwar din il-kumpanija.
anton portelli
Jan 3rd, 13:35
Sur Tony BORG X 2, Interesanti hafna l affarijiet STATE OF THE ART li ghadna illum!Wahda minnhom hi.il-BWSC power station li ma tahdimx u dahhan u tmarrad.!
Kate Smith
Jan 3rd, 13:21
Funnily enough, just yesterday I was on a bendy bus where an elderly woman was getting off the by the door at the back. When she was half way out - due to her age, she was getting out slowly - the driver just shut the door and trapped her in it! There were loud screams but I think she was generally unhurt although that's not the point. BUT, they are still 100% better than the old bus system.
Mr Lawrence Mifsud
Jan 3rd, 15:06
...100% better than the old bus system - that does not make them GOOD, does it?
Steven Smith
Jan 3rd, 19:02
more then likely the cameras not working therefore could not see anyone getting off !..can not totally blame the driver...its the lack of maintainence
Dione Pace
Jan 3rd, 12:45
Ma kellux jispicca zmien il-buzullotti? Jew sejjer zball?
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jan 3rd, 12:41
a "LONG VEHICLE" sign is the least on should expect on such buses. As far as i know any vehicle exceeding 40ft is legally bound to carry such sign. Why not buses?
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 14:27
They do carry the warning signs indicating the length of the bus. The problem is (as demonstrated here) is that Maltese drivers have very low or non-existent concentration levels. They have very little spacial awareness and never look ahead. All articulated buses have a warning sign indicating their length. Next time take a look rather that make a phone call/sms, eat food or smoke a cigarette.
Alan Cotton
Jan 3rd, 15:59
@C Cassar, totally agree.
MT Caruana
Jan 3rd, 12:36
Imma l-importanti li il Buzullotti spiccaw, no further comment.
Renato J. Costigan
Jan 3rd, 12:34
Nixtieq inkompli mal-kumment li ghamilt qabel. Xi nghidu ghal uhud mix-xufiera li huma arroganti
sahansitra jiftahru li ghandhom diversi rapporti ghax tirrapurtah u jibqa xufier. Jien sahansitra
gejt maghjjar min dan ix-xufier ghax nuza il-karta anzjan. Rapport sar u l-Arriva ghada ma haditx
passi. Kienet qed tahdem il-'camera' biex jaraw ezatt x'gara?
joe muscat
Jan 3rd, 12:33
@Tony Borg Borg Sur Borg jiddispjacini imma il-kumment tieghek ma jaghmilx sens , jekk is-servizz qabel kien hazin issa dak suppost inbidel , issa suppost servizz state of the art u daqshekk buzzullotti , u bilhaqq tinsiex ukoll li Arriva qieghda tiehu tmin miljuni fis sena bhala sussidju, u l-ahhar punt ma nahsibx li s sur Simmons ghandu xi interess politiku , allura kliemu trid tixtarru sew
Renato J. Costigan
Jan 3rd, 12:25
Just yesterday the X1 - 05.30hrs bendy bus from the Airport to Cirkewwa took nearly 45 minutes
to arrive at Pembroke due to slippery roads and had FLAT tyres and began SKIDDING, besides the
smell we had inside of either the clutch or burning tyres rolling in vain. The driver stopped the bus
for our safety and transferred to another bus.
George Lewis
Jan 3rd, 12:10
After reading this article which is exposing such negative comments where life and limb are at stake the competent authorities and particularly government who is constantly dishing out money to Arriva should take immediate action.Let's not wait for an accident to happen before something is done.Commuters' safety should come first.
Joseph Barbara
Jan 3rd, 12:04
Ghadna sejrin bil-buzullotti....u nibqghu.....u nibqghu.....u nibqghu anki sas-seklu li gej. Prosit Rosie.
Joseph John Camilleri
Jan 3rd, 15:14
Issa jitla' l-PL u l-buzllotti kollha jispiccaw.
Peter Murray
Jan 3rd, 11:39
So what is the comment from Arriva's Health and Safety officers(do they have any) the OHSA and the workers Union?
Michael borg
Jan 3rd, 11:32
Its a disgrace I've used these new buses and for me these vehicles are not as one can say as new as they seem but are a dangerous type especially for the elderly and the passengers standing up. For me Arriva is abusing power and its high time that those who are responsible face the music. The Maltese are not 'Cwiec' and so its high time that better VRT and maintenance is done!!!
Jean-Michel Azzopardi
Jan 3rd, 11:17
Good job for standing up to them!
Hector Buttigieg
Jan 3rd, 11:09
This grace mishap will enforce me not to use the buses ever.
Tony Borg Borg
Jan 3rd, 12:00
Mr. Buttigieg qabel kont tirkibhom kollha minghajr bibien? Dawk li kellhom qatt ma uzawhom.kull meta irkibt sissa dejjem bil-bibien maghluqa.
A.Felix Busuttil
Jan 3rd, 11:03
Sahme on Wistin
Joe Busuttil
Jan 3rd, 13:47
Yes,yes, shame and a double shame. Soon he will disappear form the public scene,but the woes he leaves behind will be with us for a long time.
B Attard
Jan 3rd, 10:57
Do these buses stand a VRT test?
Arthur Taliana
Jan 3rd, 10:41
Whatever happened to the Task Force that had to deal with public transport issues?
Peter Murray
Jan 3rd, 11:40
Good question Turu -and I would like to know the answer to that one also.
Luciano Chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 12:04
Perhaps it got carried away.
MT Caruana
Jan 3rd, 12:35
ghadhom bil Christmas holidays. Jew gejjin b arriva u ghadhom ma waslux.
Harry Cameron
Jan 3rd, 10:27
An Arriva spokesman says the cameras may be out for repair. If that's true then quite simply the bus should not be used in service
A missing camera causes as much danger to passengers as do dodgy brakes. There should be sufficient spare buses to cover those currently out of service for repairs, especially during the times of the winter timetable.
Luciano Chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 10:26
Mela t-TM ma kellhomx jaghtu ultimatum biex l-Arriva jirrangaw sa dakinhar tal-Budget?
Jaqaw ghax m'ghaddiex il-Budget, spicca l-ultimatum? 8M euro fis-sena mit-TAXXI TAGHNA fuq 285 vetturi igibu 2339 euro kull vettura kull xahar, barra n-nollijiet li l-passiggieri jhallsu. Ftit kalkoli juru li l-Management tal-Arriva qed jiehu salarji gholjin izzejjed b'inefficjenza u oxxenita' enormi!!
Deo Catania
Jan 3rd, 12:32
dik kienet biss kummiedja biex taparsi TM hija awtorita serja, pruvaw jidhru sbieh mal-poplu imbaghad fl-ahhar qalu li raw improvement qawwi.
Philip Pace
Jan 3rd, 10:20
Mr. C.Cassar. You are being too generic! As usual you are commiting the usual mistake of generalising.
Mr.Fran Abela. Assolutament ma naqbilx ma dak li ktibt. Jien kont favur it Trasport il gdid.. Li gara hu semplici. Ahna gejna imwieghda trasport hafna superjuri ghal dak il 'racanc' li kellna qabel.
Izda sena u hames xhur wara ghadna nassistu ghal kummiedja imqanzha.
.
joe muscat
Jan 3rd, 10:19
@Fran Abela Imma jekk mhux sejjer zbaljat dan kellu jkun servizz state of the art , u suppost daqshekk buzzullotti , ikkoregini jekk mhux hekk
Luciano Chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 11:03
Mela jekk State of the Art, allura veru li din hija ohra li tixrob il-flus tat-taxpayer Malti u mhi effcjenti xejn; bhalma huma l-Mater Dei (hela ta' spazju u pazjenti mibghuta fi sptarijiet ohra), it-tejatru bla saqaf imma b'tinda fuq il-palk u l-mostru biex suppost jintuza minn 65 parlamentari (meta jfettlilhom jattendu ghas-seduti), l-ahhar tnejn hassru l-identita' ta' belt storika wkoll.
Tony Borg Borg
Jan 3rd, 12:07
Sur Muscat tiftakar l-ikbar buzulotta ta meta konna nistennew karozza u minnflok kien immur izarma? Tiftakar buzulotta ohra meta f'certi rotot is-servizz kien jieqaf fis-segha u nofs u llum idum ghaddej sal hdax ta' billejl? Dawn u hafna buzzulotti ohra l-gvern kien johrog mit-taxxi taghna sussidju ta' iktar minn ghaxar miljuni.
Luciano Chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 17:37
@Tonio Borg Borg
Forsi veru li dak iz-zmien meta l-vetturi kienu propjeta' privata, xi sewwieq (u mhux dejjem biex ma niggeneralizzawx) kien izarma kmieni. Dwar is-sussidju, ma tantx inbidel ghax ghalkemm minn 10miljuni issa qieghed ihallas mit-taxxi taghna 8miljuni, tinsiex li dak iz-zmien konna nhallsu 47c u issa 1.50 euro - 3 darbiet aktar li jekk tahdimha issib li Arriva qed idahhlu aktar.
P Mangion
Jan 3rd, 10:15
i don't agree that the matter is incompatibility between Maltese and technology. i think the problem is that if lack of appropriate training and possible ms-management. from what i remember drivers where given a very short course on driving and operating these buses. referring to the 5minutes allocated to make sure the bus is in good condition, this is simply outrageous and malpractice.
anton portelli
Jan 3rd, 10:09
The independent A&AB Productions ,should do a nice documentary about TM and ARRIVA! Now that would be very interesting!
Tony Borg Borg
Jan 3rd, 12:12
Sur Portelli ikun interessanti dokumentarju dwar id-dhahen tal-karozzi li kenna qabel 2011.Interessanti wkoll l-apparat state of the art li halilna gvern Socjalista, is-sistema ta' telephone Strowger.
Silvan Said
Jan 3rd, 09:56
@ C Cassar: you cannot possibly be serious! This is a case of mismanagement and incorrect procedure. T.M should come down on Arriva like a ton of bricks. As always it is a question of lack of accountability and resignation culture. Such a report should be investigated by TM and the conclusions made public including the actions recommended and followed up. It's that simple.... But not in Malta.
Mario Camilleri
Jan 3rd, 10:07
@Silvan Said,
The prime negotiators and authoritarians are the Ministry and TM. Arriva is only the operator. Remember the Mayor of London Boris Johnson who wanted the bendy buses off the streets? That's how it should be here!! No reports, no investigations no nothing, they are dangerous, unreliable and inadequate!!
Steven Smith
Jan 3rd, 10:18
mario...they are only dangerous in the wrong hands, only unreliable because they are not being maintained by the Maltese !
carmel cassar
Jan 3rd, 11:07
I like your humour.Perhaps Austin carries this ton of bricks and drop it himself to make sure of a job well done. If I may borrow your quote NOT IN MALTA.
James Dewar
Jan 3rd, 17:38
@ Steven Smith: Perhaps it is their unsuitablity for Maltese roads and villages that makes them dangerous. As regards maintenance it is the absolute responsibility of Arriva to ensure that it is carried out on time and as per manufacturers instructions. Anything less is gross negligence leaving Arriva liable to claims in event of injury or damage.
Mr Terry Gosden
Jan 3rd, 09:51
I hear much of the same by people I know who 'try' to do a good job at Arriva , If they crash the emphasis is always on blaming the driver to make him/her responsible, and if he/she does not pay for damages caused by bad roads or real accidents. Then they are taken off pay. The head of international Arriva should be informed of these developments. Its their good name being destroyed.
Lawrence Hallett
Jan 3rd, 10:41
sorry but when did arriva ever have a good name?
N Galea
Jan 3rd, 09:50
@ Joe Muscat
It's not a question of politics my friend. As C Cassar mentioned below, it's something most of us do to keep on working. Modern technology and Maltese don't seem to be made to go together. Maybe it's because we have been using so much 'racanc' and second hand equipment that now it's part of our system! Unfortunately very few Maltese companies seem to invest in new equipment!
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 10:17
Yes. Take a look at most of the crane operators in Malta, ageing equipment that would have been condemned 20 years ago in all othe EU countries. Take a look at the number of ageing commercial trucks that leak diesel and oil on the roads, again they would have been scrapped more than 20 years ago in other countries. Why don't the Maltese invest in modern equipment? Is it that they don't understand
Deo Catania
Jan 3rd, 12:29
C Cassar since when Arriva is a Maltese company?
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 14:29
@Deo Catania:
Where did I state that Arriva was a Maltese company? No, I didn't. It's the management and employees in Malta that are the problem. They have no concept of working in a professional service infrastructure and the results show this fact. There are plenty of professionals in other parts of the EU who would run the system in Malta on a professional basis.
Alan Cotton
Jan 3rd, 16:07
@C Cassar, again you have hit the nail on the head, in the UK unsafe Buses stay for repair, here it seams they go out on service, the driver say's "NO" then the driver is told to take the bus out, its not ARRIVA its the people running ARRIVA by Maltese and its all done by fear............
Victor Pulis
Jan 3rd, 09:45
An Arriva spokesman said missing door cameras were sometimes out for repair and insisted that such devices could never replace drivers checking the doors through their side mirrors.
So why not remove them altogether?!
Come summer even the AC will go.
Same old story. Looks like Arriva has learned the Maltese national game of passing the buck.
A lame duck will remain a lame duck no matter what.
Brian Gatt
Jan 3rd, 09:40
PN Lackeys please comment....this is another job Well done brought to you by GonziPn
Fran Abela
Jan 3rd, 16:25
You seem to be a very tolerant person Mr. Gatt. So, according to you anyone who has the brains to debate about the new bus service is a PN lackey. I would say that some people just do not want any reforms. Criticise if you must, but do not insult people who try to find something good in the new bus service. No one said that the new bus service is perfect and one admits more can be done.
A Vella
Jan 3rd, 09:37
Transport Malta, particularly the Road Section, has been the worse chapter of this administration, managed by truly incapable people. Shame that no one resigns!
joe muscat
Jan 3rd, 09:34
u issa naraw xi bloggers b-ghajnejhom blue jghidulna li dan mhux veru jew li xorta is-servizz ahjar.
Fran Abela
Jan 3rd, 09:52
Jien mhandhiex ghajneja blue jew homor habib izda nara id-differenza bejn it-trasport issa u ta qabel ghax kont nuzah fil passat u anke issa. Naqbel li ghat hemm hafna xi isir izda li tghid li mhux ahjar nhix verita jekk veru li tuza il trasport pubbliku. . Ftaqar illi il Maltin idumu biex jaccettaw u jaddaddataw ghal kambjamenti u lesti igergru fuq kollox.
MT Caruana
Jan 3rd, 12:32
@Fran Abela
Int bis-serjeta? Jien kont nuza transport l antik kuljum fil-passat u 'ssa qed nuza l-arriva, u iva u zgur li hemm differenza kbira, fil-hin u sigurta, nipreferi nirkeb fuq karrakka milli go bus mhux hazin u xejn ma jahdem fijha.
So ghalija min ifahhar l-arriva, jew blu biss jara, jew qatt ma rikeb wahda.
Alfred Spiteri
Jan 3rd, 09:32
you spit in the air and it comes back on your face
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 09:19
As I've said many times in the past, the problem is caused simply by involving Maltese with modern technology - they simply do not mix. There is no culture of improving systems with modern technology in Malta. The Maltese will break, smash and remove anything that will warn, stop or report them.
It really is time to have the transport system managed and operated by other EU management & workers.
Mario Camilleri
Jan 3rd, 10:09
@C Cassar,
What nationality are u then? It seems you are an expert in this field!!
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 10:27
What has nationality got to do with this subject? I'm a realist and don't let my nationality or political views get in the way of admitting when something has failed and who caused the failure.
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Jan 3rd, 11:02
There could be some truth in what Mr. C. Cassar is saying!
It’s worth investigating!
JC.
James Dewar
Jan 3rd, 12:10
It's the quality of the buses and maintenance issues that are of concern here and it wouldn't matter what nationality was involved, if things are broken they are broken and potentially unsafe.
Mario Camilleri
Jan 3rd, 13:02
@C Cassar,
The nationality issue was sarcastic! But implying that "by INVOLVING Maltese with modern technology - they simply do not mix" and again stating that "...no culture of improving systems with modern technology in Malta. The Maltese will break, smash.......immaturity and unfounded statements.
Better said that some drivers are irresponsible if the issue is neglegence!!
Desmond Mangion
Jan 3rd, 14:15
Other eu management & workers? i hope you are not thinking about some British ginger to come and make things worse, i work as a bus driver here in the uk, am driving an 18 year old bus, no heating, fumes from the engine coming into the cabin and if i refuse to drive it, guess what? sent home with no pay. Arriva Malta is supreme compared to some parts of the world
Louis Saliba
Jan 3rd, 19:34
According to C. Cassar, who has a Maltese surname, but whose nationality and place of residence we do not know, the Maltese can do nothing right, are unable to adapt to anything new, and so on and so forth. He appears to be utterly incapable of posting a comment without insulting anything and everything Maltese, and does not realise that his unfounded assertions are easily proved ludicrous.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 3rd, 09:15
Ma hemmx ghalfejn tigri wara l'Arriva buses biex tilhaqhom ghax weqfin l'hawn u l'hemm.
Joseph John Camilleri
Jan 3rd, 15:22
At least no thick diesel exhaust from buses any more.
James Dewar
Jan 3rd, 17:43
@ Joseph John Camilleri: Not yet but guaranteed to pollute well before the end of the contract period given the apparently poor servicing and maintenance arrangements!
Please choose the reason of your report below: