Like many others living in upper Gżira and the Savoy area of Sliema, I am puzzled why there are no Arriva buses running up and down Rue d’Argens, a street previously served by four different route buses. Until the end of June getting to Valletta from the top of Rue d’Argens meant usually not more than 20 minutes. Now to get to Valletta means taking a 21, 22 or 32 bus, going round most of Sliema and getting to Valletta, with luck, 35 minutes later. Getting back from Valletta on a 21,22 or 23 bus means having to go along the Gżira seafront right up to the bottom of Bisazza Street, stopping at the Ferries and then groaning up Manwel Dimech Street often with a full bus.

This morning it took my bus just over 40 minutes to get from Valletta to the Rue d’Argens end of Rudolphe Street. Clearly this is far from satisfactory and will, I hope, be put right in the current revision of the Arriva routes.

Incidentally, the two buses I rode this morning, both 21 buses, featured drivers who enjoyed a good chat with passengers – and not about routes and times! I thought this bad practice was now meant to be over.