Jos. J. Soler (August 31) rightfully questioned the new bus routes system operated by Arriva whereby in Marsascala, the old routes covered by buses 17, 19 and 20 have been eliminated causing much hardship and frustration to the sprawling Marsascala seaside village bus commuters. This strange inefficient pattern was repeated in almost all the new Malta bus routes.

As a result, in Marsascala for example, the area covered by the old 17 bus is now covered by mini-bus No. 124 (formerly a regular bus) that does not go to Valletta but to Żejtun. Who decided that people in this area wanted to go to Żejtun more than they wanted to go to Valletta? Sadly, these No. 124 mini buses can be seen plying the area almost always empty. It is hoped Arriva manages to rectify all these gross, stupid inefficiencies and I would like to suggest a solution, particularly in Marsascala’s case.

The 91 Arriva bus is scheduled to leave Valletta every 10 minutes proceeding to Marsascala seafront and back. Would it not make sense if the bus route is changed to the following sequence:

Bus 91a goes to Marsascala’s seafront as usual, 10 minutes later bus 91b takes the old 17 route while 10 minutes later the next bus 91c takes the old 20 route.

This repetitive sequence would see a return of a service that was covered by the old bus routes No.17, 19 and 20. Fairly simple, while Żabbar and the whereabouts would hardly be affected, if at all.