Referring to Angelo Polidano’s letter ‘Bus route of shame’ (January 13), it was ever thus, sincetime immemorial.

It is almost laid down in stone.

I have been coming to Malta since 1975, when I was stationed here with the Commando engineers.

In those far off halcyon days, the buses, those lovely, quaint green machines, were full as well.

When they turned orange, and later when Arriva took over, it was the same all over again.

Even the bendy buses were packed to standing capacity, which may be why they kept burning out.

There is a particular Maltese mindset whereby bus drivers will not leave the Valletta terminus until the bus is full and then they pack in some more en route.

If one does not have a seat on the no. 12 bus, then one would have to stand until Paceville at least, and if unfortunate all the way to Qawra.

The same applies in the reverse direction. Is this company policy?

Things will only change if management and the few inspectors start to implement change.

Perhaps the soon-to-be implemented fare change will havean impact on the overcrowding. On the other hand, perhaps we should all be thankful forsmall mercies.

Substitute the Valletta-Paceville route with England’s East Coast train route from King’s Cross to Newcastle and it’s even more overcrowded, and horribly expensive to boot.

Ditto London’s underground.