After almost 18 months since Arriva started operating, some improvement was registered, especially in routes. One has to acknowledge that Arriva introduced some positive aspects in public transport like less pollution, smarter and more educated drivers and comfortable, air-conditioned buses.

However, the expected reform has not really materialised.

The major mistake was when the route network, the best aspect of the old system, was changed. People never complained about the old routes, so why interfere with something that was running smoothly? And, in some places, we are still suffering on account of route changes.

At Luqa, for example, the Żurrieq bus no. 71 coming from Valletta, which before used to pass through Luqa’s main square, like the Qrendi bus no. 72, still passes through St Thomas Street. Those who live on the village outskirts who want to visit Żurrieq, especially on Thursday morning for the open air market, have to walk for 20 to 30 minutes, come rain or shine, to catch this bus.

Again, the hourly bus which takes tourists to Wied iż-Żurrieq, Ħaġar Qim and Għar Lapsi does not pass through Luqa’s main square as it used to, accommodating those who want to join the tourists picked up from Valletta.

This old system was very efficient and punctual. Now I have to cross the village to catch this bus and go and spend some leisure time at these places.

Besides, Arriva buses, especially the bendy ones, are too big for our narrow streets.

The worst aspect, of course, is having to wait for a long time on a bus stop or at a terminal for a bus to take you to your destination. Time keeping and reliability is essential for a public transport system to succeed.

In fact, the Transport Ministry acknowledged the problematic routes and is aware that the Arriva service was still dogged by punctuality problems on a number of routes. So what are they waiting for to do what they have to do and solve the remaining problems?