Despite improvements to the service, there is still a long way to go for the promised public transport sector “revolution”, Alternattiva Demokratika said yesterday, a year after the reform.

Speaking during a press conference near the Valletta bus terminus, AD chairman Michael Briguglio said: “It is positive that Malta had got rid of its previous fleet of heavily-polluting junk buses and that public transport is no longer run by cowboys.”

Yet the service still leaves much to be desired, especially with regard to certain routes which were removed or downsized.

Dr Briguglio said it was also disappointing to hear of the exploitation of Arriva workers who are paid “a pittance” for long shifts.

“I appeal to such workers to find strength in unity. It is clear that the government, which refuses to give adequate funding to public transport, keeps washing its hands of its responsibility for universally accessible public transport with good job conditions,” he said.