In May, there was an obvious improvement in the Arriva service, apart from the recurring peak time pinch points on routes 12 and 13. However, the decision to remove bendy buses from service, while wise, was accomplished, I fear, without the proper risk planning.

When comparing the maximum capacity of a bendy bus at approximately 104 to that of a normal bus at 70, every three bendy buses removed from service require four normal buses and additional drivers to maintain the same route capacity. A tightening of the timing schedule would also be sensible.

The use of contract coaches for the airport and other local services has helped but, apart from the long waits that are occasioned by the disrupted service, the condition of overcrowding is both uncomfortable and, dare I say, unsafe.

I note from Times of Malta that a further route revision is planned. I do hope that this been set against proper passenger number surveys. I have yet to encounter an Arriva inspector on a crowded, some say overcrowded bus, monitoring the actual passenger numbers.

I have also noted, unlike in the UK, where all passengers boarding a bus are counted, that in Malta only those purchasing a ticket are registered on the machine. So even the systems in place do not capture the necessary data to monitor passenger traffic patterns.

Perhaps a change in policy and practice would more fully record the actual use on all services and so inform proper journey planning.

This said, the service when provided is much better and certainly cheaper that that provided in Scotland where a day ticket costs €3.50, with no surcharge for visitors.