Nobody will deny that public transport was a mess when I took it over. Anybody who is not prejudiced will also admit that there has, in fact, been an improvement. Whether that improvement has been sufficient is an open question. I am the first to admit that more needs to be done.
Perhaps the greatest failing of the previous administration in reforming the public transport system was that it sought to implement a ‘big bang’ solution. We, instead, have adopted a step-by-step approach and I am convinced we are getting there.
We have taken major steps to ensure that consumers receive an improved service. We have increased the number of buses, removed bendy buses and instead introduced buses that are suitable for the reality and the country’s infrastructure. We can now boast of a modern bus fleet that meets EU emission standards and buses that are accessible to all commuters, including people with disabilities.
Last year, the company carried around 40 million passengers, an estimated increase of almost seven per cent. Over 500 drivers were recruited last year and 143 new buses were brought to Malta, with an additional 33 to arrive in June.
We have reviewed and improved the route system. We have increased the route network from 4,800 to 5,200 trips per day, 2,000 bus stops in Malta and Gozo have all been updated and 93 real-time information panels are being tested.
I have to admit that the improvement to the network took longer than I was aiming for because of the dispute between the operator and the unions. The representation issue was finally resolved but it meant that rather than initiate the route augmentation and changes as originally intended in a four-phase process, we needed to make up for lost time and these were introduced at one go.
We recognise the fact that these are substantial changes, and given the volume involved, cannot be perfect. We are therefore committed to fine-tuning them. Certainly we have already started to do this wherever a clear situation has been found to exist. Our research among commuters has indicated that their main concerns relate to punctuality and information provision and this will be our next focus.
The main concerns relate to punctuality and provision of information
Punctuality is not always the operator’s fault. Where it is, we have and will intervene, but often it is the traffic situation and congestion that makes punctuality difficult to achieve. It is not uncommon for a single traffic accident in one of the arterial roads to cause significant tailbacks and disruption.
It is very frustrating not to know whether a scheduled bus has passed, is coming but is delayed, or for some reason has been cancelled. Scheduled trips will be adhered to, and information will become available online, on phones and increasingly at bus stop locations.
To further strengthen the network and provide a better service to commuters, we have increased the number of bus stops in various locations to reflect changes in housing development and population movements over the years.
We regularly run mystery shoppers, who are taking trips as normal commuters but are acting to monitor the route and the interaction provided by drivers with commuters.
We recognise that public transport is not a for-profit undertaking, and if we want to encourage as many people as possible to use it, we need to provide a broad network, which is only viable if we subsidise it.
The government is often criticised because the subsidy paid to the current operator is much more than that paid to the previous operator. Arriva, with a more restricted network and less frequency, was in the process of declaring bankruptcy on the subsidy it was paid. To continue their service they requested a €45 million subsidy. The new operator is being given €29 million.
The increased subsidy that is being given to the new service provider has made it possible to modify 43 routes and add a further 24 routes, resulting in the addition of over 400 new trips every day. It has also meant we can offer even cheaper fares to students and people with disabilities. Of course, we can decide to cut subsidies and shrink the network and make an instant saving of €10 million or more but I am convinced that the social and environmental cost would be substantially more.
The results are there for all to see. Public transport usage has gone up and there are 230,000 Tallinja cardholders who are able to commute regularly and access a broader and more frequent network.
Certainly more needs to be done. I consider what we are doing with public transport as a work-in-progress that we are committed to continue to pursue and strengthen.
Joe Mizzi is Minister for Transport.