Arriva has launched a transport service campaign targeting people who have a hard time embarking on an independent life.

Through its Għinni Nasal campaign, part of its corporate social responsibility programme, the public transport provider will lend a helping hand to those who cannot make it to work because of their social circumstances. Arriva is welcoming formal requests from established organisations representing disadvantaged people in society, such as those who want to reintegrate in society but have no means of transport to get to work.

The company will provide the service for a short period until they can afford their own means of transport.

Commercial manager Thomas Dimech said the company hoped the initiative would serve as an example for other institutions.

The campaign is still in its initial stages and Arriva will be providing the service according to the requests made by recognised organisations.

Caritas assistant directorMgr Karm Farrugia said that although the initiative might seem petty, the service was significant for those who were willing to help themselves.

Fr Frankie Cini said the service would make the transition between school and work easier for the residents of St Joseph Home in Sta Venera.

More passengers, fewer complaints

Passengers travelling by bus between August 2011 and this January increased by 14 per cent, according to Transport Malta.

The new public transport service has seen an ­additional 2,223,500 passengers to the 15.8 million ­people who travelled by bus between August 2010 and January 2011.

July was not taken into consideration because the service transfer between the previous operators and Arriva Malta took place across that month.

Despite this increase in passengers, the number of complaints about the bus service fell drastically. In October, TM received 509 but by December the figure had gone down to 179, it said.