I am writing this as a warning to other bus commuters to avoid making the same mistake as I did on June 13. I was waiting at Mater Dei Hospital for the X1 service to Ċirkewwa, due at 8.45 am. The X1 appeared at 8.40am and I alighted promptly. I had not taken my seat when I suddenly realised that it was going to the airport. The door was closed and the bus had scarcely left the stop when I asked the lady driver to let me off owing to my mistake.

However, perhaps rather smugly, she informed me that as the door was closed and the bus in motion she must continue to the next stop. Being the X1, the next scheduled stop was Marsa interchange where I alighted and waited on the same bus (and driver) to return from the airport to Marsa interchange to convey me, via the scenic hospital again, and, hence, to Ċirkewwa.

The moral of this sorry tale is to always ask the driver which direction the bus is going to avoid being taken on an unwanted mystery tour.

Further confusion can also arise when some buses forget to show the correct destination.