Many were the reasons over the past decades that generated justified complaints about the quality of the public transport system. The problems varied. Many of the buses themselves were far from up to standard, even if many tourists would immediately fall in love with them and their colourful, noisy and smoking presence on the roads will in a way be missed. But the problem was not limited to the quality of the buses themselves. Certain drivers left a lot to be desired and many of them can be blamed for the predicament the service was in.

There were bus drivers who, behind the wheel of their vehicle, considered themselves “kings of the road”. Others bullied drivers of small cars who crossed their path and passengers who dared criticise their way of doing things. There were drivers whose behaviour instilled fear among vulnerable passengers, say, older people entitled to a special fare. There were also those who used to look at tourists as an opportunity to cheat in the fare demanded.

At the same time, though, there existed drivers who, even if less noted and appreciated, used to do their level best to respect road regulations, act responsibly and with dignity and show courtesy to both motorists and their own passengers.

One may feel that, all in all, the negative points used to outbalance the positive ones. Yet, with hand on heart, one must also admit that the problem was not entirely of the bus drivers’ own doing.

Though there had been a lot of talk, the powers that be failed to ensure that these workers were given proper continued training to be able to undertake the challenging and awkward task they were entrusted with. Bus drivers used to work very long hours in an environment that generated particular tensions. Indeed, not too many individuals were enthusiastic to become bus drivers considering that one could find a much less complex job elsewhere perhaps for the same amount of money if not more. And, let’s face, at times some commuters did not make their life any easier either.

This is not being said to pardon offending drivers; they were a disgrace to the route bus system and to their colleagues who did their utmost to render as efficient a service as possible notwithstanding the odds. These matters are being pointed out to serve as an eye-opener to the new operators, Arriva, that take over tomorrow.

Public transport is an indispensable requirement of contemporary life and the service offered was inefficient and unpopular. There was absolutely no doubt that commuters deserved a new system that provides more mobility and also help reduce environmental consequences. At this stage, one cannot but wish the very best of luck to the reform taking place with a fleet of modern buses and properly trained drivers.

Arriva has a lot on its plate. The expectations are high and the Maltese people in general and commuters in particular are unlikely to be too tolerant, bar for the initial teething troubles.

The route bus service had hit rock bottom and the only way it can go is up in terms of frequency, reliability, cleanliness, customer care and the disposition to render an efficient service to a society that rightly expects good value for money.

In a political controversy involving public transport some years back, a slogan with a sinister connotation had been used: It pays to use route buses. This time, we all hope it really does.