We have just returned home to the UK after yet another lovely holiday in Malta. However, I feel compelled to write about the disaster that is Arriva. I feel that the old yellow buses of Malta did the island proud. Yes, some were very old and needed repair, but they were part of the island’s culture and history. You at least had a bus service that was regular, usable and cheap.

My husband and I used to love nothing better than hopping onto a bus at 4 p.m. to pop to Mdina/Rabat or Mosta/Valletta etc., but at the extravagant €2.60 per person charge this time we didn’t bother. On the day we did venture to St Julians for our usual lovely walk into Sliema it was an arduous journey back to our hotel in Qawra. The “bendy bus” was crammed to capacity and the poor driver had lots of people’s lives in his hands. Those buses were not meant for the roads of Malta, which is why Arriva have “created” new routes.

Well I’d like to say the infrequent service, extortionate charge and too few direct buses to places of interest will cost Malta dearly.