New EU compensation rights for bus passengers not applicable in Malta

C Cassar

Mar 7th, 13:30

The only people whinging about the new system are 10-20 who comment on here. These are the ones who can't understand a networked system and/or had 'interests' in the decrepid excuse of a bus service before July 2011.

Lawrence Anastasi

Mar 7th, 14:11

The old busses no matter the condition moved people to their destination on time. No waiting, no hassle they just moved people. The tourists around the globe loved them. Now you waste your time waiting and hoping a bus will arrive. These are reject buses the UK didn't want so Malta got sucked it. Someone got a sweet deal but not the population. Keep up the pressure ( you loosers call complaining)

Jon Vercellono

Mar 7th, 14:28

Mr Anastasi, it must have depended on where you were trying to get the bus from; obviously not from St. julian's or Msida. We were always waiting, never had a seat, seats in the back broken and not repaired. Night Service buses stopping at 9, swearing, not stopping at isolated stages - the list could go on, but at least they're long gone and scrapped.

Jon Vercellono

Mar 7th, 14:30

P.S. the buses in Sliema always come as advertised, at the times advertised. You havent actually said whether you use the buses or not, or are you a scripted complainer?

Daniel Vella

Mar 7th, 15:25

Yes but you are talking about a coach service. The article does not mention any difference between the two types of service. That was my point. Inter-city vs intra-city. And most probably the legislator wanted to differentiate between the 2. So not only Malta is not covered by the law but even services inside Rome, London or Paris etc etc. My point is that the article is trying to create sensation

E. Azzopardi

Mar 7th, 16:11

It is not that. It is the principle. Are we all equal in the EU or not? Today it is the buses tomorrow maybe something much more important.

Janet Bayes

Mar 7th, 12:45

HUNDREDS of people do - - - some people even travel their WHOLE holiday on a bus!

Mr Sam Spiridonov

Mar 7th, 12:47

A lot of people in the world, believe me :)
In Europe it's not so popular, of course. Europe is quite small if you are looking at the world map

Jack parker

Mar 7th, 12:48

Thats only 135 miles, many buses in the UK travel much further, like Edinburgh to London 450km.

mark johnson

Mar 7th, 12:49

Glasgow to London is a very popular bus route.

Mr Daniel Jones

Mar 7th, 12:51

Lots of people. In the UK there is the National Express buses, you can go from Cornwall to Northern Scotland.

In the US there is the greyhound buses.

Buses are cheaper than trains.

A Mifsud

Mar 7th, 13:13

Mr. Vella...there is a big world out there outside of the 20 x 40 km in Malta. Do you know some people actually take a bus rather than fly between European countries. .

JR Apap

Mar 7th, 13:26

Yeah right i think its funny too, made my day we were laughing bent backwards, not in down under in a country that size.

C Cassar

Mar 7th, 14:06

London to the Alps is around 900km and is done regularly by bus/coach in the winter season.

Lawrence Anastasi

Mar 7th, 14:17

Obviously we have someone here who thinks Malta is the center of the universe. The world is a big place, accept it, this is a regulary occurance travel over 250 km daily by bus or train outside Malta. They have WC's on these buses as well, surprise!! I bet you think Arriva is a real bus service as well and that it works.

Daniel Vella

Mar 7th, 15:04

OK Ok thank you all i see your point. but my point is this... when travelling more than a certain distance its not a bus service but a coach service. By a bus service I understand a circular route taking you from one place to another and it stops on regular bus stops on its way. What you have all kindly pointed out is a shuttle service which usually starts from a meeting point and stops once at B

C Cassar

Mar 9th, 03:21

@Daniel Vella:

No, not at all. A bus journey of 900km can stop at 10-15 different places where people can get off/on. It;s exactly the same as travelling from Mosta to Valletta but over a far greater distance. I can't believe that so many Maltese have never experienced this in Europe.

Peter Murray

Mar 7th, 12:24

Really sir ?You of course are entitled to such an opinion but that is all it is and when making such unsupported by fact claims please back such up by clear evidence?

Mr Tony Gatt

Mar 7th, 12:06

They have to travel 250km first, Peter!

Etienne Galea

Mar 7th, 12:18

Carm, ghax l-EU hargita.....! Kapix! U jekk xi hadd johrog ligi ghal Malta fuq id-distanza, dawn jghatu fejn ghandhom jghatu billi jikwotaw il-ligi ta l-EU. Kapix issa?

Janet Bayes

Mar 7th, 12:46

Tony Gatt - - - I think thats a misinterpretation on your part my dear.

Jane Falzon

Mar 7th, 15:06

As I understand this article, there are only 3 instances where the 250km 'rule' applies. The fare discrimination will be illegal.

Rachel Galea

Mar 7th, 16:04

I suggest you read the article again.

Janet Bayes

Mar 7th, 12:47

I concur there David - - - - there is no mention of journey length in that clause.

C Cassar

Mar 7th, 13:28

we started using the bus service after July 2011 as we would never, ever get on the old, filthy dirty and dangerous old wrecks. We don't have a problem with Arriva, it's light years ahead of anything Malta has had with regards public transport. I'm now not embarassed to invite friends over and they've all loved the new system. They understand it, so why can't the Maltese?

Lawrence Anastasi

Mar 7th, 14:19

@ C cassar
What planet do you live on?

Kenneth Cassar

Mar 7th, 11:28

You'll still have to take a few short trips of less than 250km each.

LES B AVINGU

Mar 7th, 11:30

Try and get a bus first, worst service in Europe!!!!!!!!

Pauline Peterson

Mar 7th, 13:23

Kenneth,

What if you just stay on the bus and not get off. :-)

Lawrence Camilleri

Mar 7th, 13:26

Go round and round Malta in the same bus 15 times without of course breaking the journey and you may claim all damages (if any) since you would have covered 250 kms.

Kenneth Cassar

Mar 7th, 13:40

Pauline, in that case, you'd probably be kicked out ;)

Pauline Peterson

Mar 7th, 13:25

I too understood the rules above like you Francis, that non-Maltese can now pay the same as the locals.

C Cassar

Mar 7th, 11:11

Exactly but too many commenting on here don't read news articles properly. It's quite embarassing reading some of the responses on here and very worrying that these people are going to vote on Saturday. A lost cause in my opinion.

Saviour Sam Agius

Mar 7th, 11:11

Kulħadd jitkellem qabel ma jkun fehem x'inhu jaqra. Inkredibbli.

John Cundy

Mar 7th, 11:11

Sir, you are wrong and I quote from the regulations EU Site:
Additionally, the following rights will be applicable to all services (including those below 250 km):
non-discrimination with respect to tariffs and contract conditions for passengers based - directly or indirectly – on nationality. Malta look out!

Patricia Graham

Mar 7th, 11:33

There are rules for over 250km as in cancellation etc and rules for under 250km as in Non discrimination in tariffs

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/transport/mobility_and_passenger_rights/tr0050_en.htm

Patricia Graham

Mar 7th, 11:59

@ C Cassar, I do hope you apologize to commenter's after reading the actual ruling. This Editorial specifically states "New EU compensation rights for bus passengers not applicable in Malta", it does not state the other rules are not applicable.

Mr Tony Gatt

Mar 7th, 12:09

@ C. Cassar
You have to take into account that some of these comments are tongue-in-cheek, as the Brits say.

Mr Mike Farrugia

Mar 7th, 11:20

X' tippretendi? Li l-ewropa taghmel xi miraklu u nikbru daqs Sqallija?????

Joseph Fenech

Mar 7th, 11:36

Mela ghadu Super One jew Joseph Muscat ma qallekx li l -Prim Ministru ghadu kif igib Ewro1100,000,000 mill - Ewropa. Ghalxejn ukoll ? Staqsi lill - Istudenti ? Ecc

C Cassar

Mar 7th, 11:09

Read the article, it's for journey's over 250km. That means everyone in the EU who travels less than 250km (which is most) won't be able to claim compensation. Quite right to as there are lots of factors that affect a bus journey on a short trip that is out of the hands of the operator. These include traffic, badly parked vehicles (particularly in Malta) and diversions.

Mr Sandro Cremona

Mar 7th, 11:23

U IL COMMISSIONS INSEJT ?

Peter Montebello

Mar 7th, 11:35

Daniel Borg, M Vella u Joseph Fenech tistghu tghiduli, jekk jghogobkom, tghiduli fejn f'Malta nista naghmel vjagg ta' aktar minn 250 Kilometru? Tajjeb li qabel tiktbu u tikkritikaw, tifhmu dak li tkunu qeghdin taqraw.

Janet Bayes

Mar 7th, 12:53

A blessing? From whom? and for what?
TM/Arriva/ discriminate against all non residents - - and the EU regulations say they should not be doing so. EITHER Malta is a member of the EU or it is not. You cannot join a club and decide which rules apply to you.