I fully endorse the article ‘Adventures on route 202’ by George Camilleri. I have sent many letters to Transport Malta about this bus service with no improvement being made.

I fully sympathise with the correspondent if he has to catch this bus from Pender Gardens to Rabat. I live in San Ġwann and, as I have had to catch this bus from Sliema many times, I can understand his predicament and am surprised he has managed to get on at Pender Gardens. When in Sliema, I always go to the Ferries to catch this bus to go home, ensuring that I get a seat.

This route serves Sliema, St Julian’s, San Ġwann, Naxxar, Mosta and Rabat, all very popular destinations. By the time it reaches Spinola, the bus is usually already full, with standing passengers too, and many times has had to completely bypass Pender Gardens because there is no more room. As it is an hourly service, this means those left standing at the bus stop have the choice to either wait another hour with no guarantee they will be able to get on or change their destination.

This route warrants a 20-minute frequency service. When Pender Gardens is fully occupied and with the increase in beds in the St George’s Bay and Paceville area, this will become even more ofa nightmare.

I would suggest that Transport Malta representatives try this route for themselves.

I am certain the bus drivers would fully support our claims because they are the ones that have to deal with the complaints and, sometimes, aggression of those being refused boarding or being ferried in cattle-truck conditions.