Last October, I tried to use Arriva to get to Valletta. As per the timetable on the bus stop in Psaila Street, Birkirkara, the bus serving route number 54 was supposed to have passed three times in the hour I spent there.

But there was no sign of a number 54. Calling Arriva customer service did not help.

I finally gave up waiting and went back home. Since then, I have never used Arriva to get to Valletta. A few days ago, I thought I would give Arriva another chance. Big mistake.

On the same bus stop in Psaila Street, two buses should have passed in the 45 minutes I spent there, in the rain. Again, calling customer service (this time having to press several option buttons to get through) was no help.

From my admittedly limited experience, the Arriva ‘service’ is completely and utterly useless.