In the last 20 years or so, the southern town of Marsascala has experienced an influx of new residents and around 14 years ago the local authorities were compelled to reschedule the public transport network so that buses would reach practically every corner of the town. Thus the No. 17 bus was directed to cover the Bella Vista, Żonqor and Jerma areas, the No.19 bus covering the St Thomas Bay area and also being of great service to students attending the Fgura schools, while the No. 20 satisfied the needs of residents of both St Thomas and the new bypass. All these routes ended their journey in Valletta. Also, the No. 300 bus covered both Żonqor and St Thomas Bay and served students attending the Sixth Form of Msida, the University as well residents needing to go to Mater Dei Hospital. But now, alas, this is all history!

Finally, after months of marketing and promotion slots on the local media, Arriva has arrived (or nearly) amid scores of motto-logos such as “Arriva will be coming to your town soon” and the (in)famous “Here to take you there”. During these months the minister responsible for transport, Austin Gatt, was kept very busy visiting the new Park and Rides, bus stops and trying these new buses. But, to put it mildly, the motto “Here to take you there” is an insult to us commuters living in the areas of Żonqor and St Thomas Bay because Arriva did not have the courage to explain to us what they mean by the word “…There” in their motto. Because in reality it means that Arriva would be taking us 14 years back. The least we expected was to be served as at present but we residents of these areas were just ignored and left out completely.

Now Arriva is telling us that if we need to go to Valletta (using bus stop nicknamed “Noqra”) we have first to take bus No. 135 (daily every 30 mins/Sunday every hour) to the airport and then change to Bus No. 71/72 to Valletta. When we need to visit Mater Dei Hospital, surely not for leisure, Msida Sixth Form or University, again we must use Bus No. 135 to the airport and change to Bus X1/X2 to Mater Dei. Those parents needing to see their children on a bus passing through Fgura to attend school must now be prepared to walk and walk in rain or shine to take bus No. 91 from the waterfront. How’s that for a service??

Luckily for us residents of Marsascala, our hard-working mayor Mario Calleja has already taken the bull by its horns and lodged a report with Arriva. I am sure that many other towns and villages are experiencing similar frustrating situations and hope that Arriva will listen to the various complaints regarding the schedule of such routes so that these would be taken care during the first revision. After all, this is one of the pledges made by Keith Bastow of Arriva quite recently.