Many bus stops in the St Paul’s Bay area do not have shelters to protect their many users, residents, students and tourists alike, from the summer heat or the winter dampness.

A year has gone by since representatives of the Labour Party brought this issue to the attention of the public. However, these bus stages remain exposed to the elements. One can, for example, imagine the rough experience of students trying to reach their college each morning throughout the winter months. It is not a rare occasion when these students have to spend the rest of the day drenched to the bone.

Evarist Bartolo (Labour) had specifically asked Transport Minister Austin Gatt in Parliament about two exposed bus stops in Qawra. The minister replied that the issue of unsheltered bus stops was being studied within the now infamous wider transport reform. The studies should have been based on the frequency and use of each bus stop.

Yet, to date, our bus stops remain without adequate shelter providing respite from the summer heat and the wintery conditions.

Can the relative authorities therefore please inform the public of the reasons why these bus stops remain exposed to all elements post reform?

May I also ask the St Paul’s Bay local council to inform residents on their efforts to remove this singular inconvenience to residents and visitors to this locality?