Transport and Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi is responsible for possibly one of the heaviest portfolios in government: not only for delivering results on major projects, including road building and the vexed opera house site in Valletta, but also a long-promised step- jump improvement in public transport.

While not directly responsible for alleviating the air pollution that plagues Malta, unless the minister is prepared to take steps to control traffic and the construction industry, the poisonous pollutants and dust particulates generated by private and commercial vehicles, and the quarrying and building industry, will continue to cause the high incidence of respiratory illnesses of the past few years.

The focus at present is very much on the problems caused by Arriva’s incendiary bendy buses. In a wide-ranging interview with The Sunday Times of Malta, Mr Mizzi spoke openly of his concern about their safety. He said that since he still had no certification in hand that told him the bendy buses were safe, they would remain suspended from use.

He pointed out, however, that the Government’s contract with Arriva – which was signed by the previous Administration – clearly stipulated that the company could use bendy buses to run the service. Not only was it contractually permitted to use bendy buses but, when the contract was revised by the Nationalist government, Arriva was even offered the possibility of increasing the number of bendy buses on the road.

It is against this background of the minister’s concern for passenger safety and the contractual basis under which the Government is bound that the announcement by Arriva the day after Mr Mizzi’s interview must be viewed.

The company said that following the subjection of two bendy buses – including one which had been involved in the recent fire-related incidents – to testing “under extreme conditions” over a constant 36-hour period, “the tests have been concluded as a resounding success”.

The company, therefore, said it planned to present the test certificates to Transport Malta so it would permit the return of the bendy buses to service. Work would now commence on the remaining 66 buses of the fleet.

What now? It appeared from Mr Mizzi’s interview on Sunday that Arriva agreed with the Government’s argument that the bendy buses should be phased out. And this is undoubtedly what should happen. The buses have not just been plagued by mechanical problems but they also contribute to traffic congestion. Put simply, they are just not suitable for this country’s roads.

Mr Mizzi said Arriva would have to agree how to phase them out to achieve the route changes which the Government was seeking in an effort to improve the public transport service.

However, any increase in routes would lead to more buses and drivers being required and under the contract this would mean greater costs to the taxpayer.

The Government is faced with an unsatisfactory service, using buses which are not popular with the public and that can only be improved at an extra cost to the Exchequer.

Moreover, it is known that Arriva has lost money in its first two years in Malta on the route service and mileage it already provides.

It is not an easy situation.

However, the Government needs to take the bull by the horns. It is pointless trying to blame the previous Administration. It is now in power and must find solutions to the country’s problems. This is undoubtedly one of them.