It is not an issue of waiting for things to settle down anymore. The public transport service in some localities is simply not up to scratch. To mention some examples, people are being left stranded in Fgura, Paola and Marsaxlokk. Bus No. 41 is full up by the time it reaches Mosta. A trip from Kalkara to Msida is taking two hours. It is difficult to find a place on a bus out of St Julians early morning. Junior College students are finding it difficult to arrive in Msida on time.

I am sure readers can mention many more examples of poor service.

The main aim of public transport is getting people out of their cars, therefore a good service during the rush hour is absolutely essential.

Something tells me the system was designed to lower government subsidy as much as possible, even though it is a fact that investment in a viable public transport system requires public financing.

A few months ago Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Austin Gatt was bragging that he managed to reduce public transport spending.

The result is the bare minimum number of buses and drivers and a system unable to cope with peaks in demand while running empty late at night.

I still hope things will improve. After all people are making an effort to use public transport and it is in our interest that public transport in Malta actually serves the needs of us all and reduces traffic which is clogging our roads. Public money spent on public transport is money well spent.