Arriva’s Malta experience never got off to a good start: a drivers’ strike, government miscalculations, wrong routes, oversized bendy buses, small streets, overheated engines, ice-cold buses, nice and not-so-nice employees, full buses leaving passengers stranded, bad maintenance, dirty buses, buses never on schedule, buses never arriving, UPS buses for €30,000-a-day, and unaccepted e-expat cards. The British operator of the German-owned Arriva was unable to adapt itself to the situation.

Arriva’s losses in Malta are increasing. Basically, the situation should be corrected according to the contract signed by both parties. It seems the contract is not clear on many points.

Somehow, the fact that buses are to provide a service for the people (and not vice-versa) has been lost.

The best solution may be to accept tenders from new capable providers.

Good riddance, Arriva.

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