Over the past two to three years I have been following with much interest the various steps leading to the public transport reform, which should come into effect in July.

The advantages of the reform would include:

1. New or reconditioned buses that are comfortable, air-conditioned, clean, environment-friendly and accessible to people with disabilities.

2. Efficient timetabled routes easily accessible to all, covering most towns and villages.

3. Bus shelters at stops alsodisplaying timetables either electronically or on a notice board (preferably both).

4. Smart, uniformed drivers, who are courteous and helpful.

5. Tickets issued to all, giving the required information, including the driver’s referencenumber.

In the event of complaints, an easy access number or procedure should be outlined, and acknowledged, and replied to. Inspectors should command respect of both the passengers and drivers alike.

However, to achieve these aims, a complete transformation is required. At present, passengers are not generally treated courteously; they are regularly overcharged and are lucky if any change is given if only a few cents are involved.

Over the past four weeks, while in Gozo, I travelled from Victoria to Mġarr on four occasions. Only on one trip was a ticket issued. Indeed, on November 6, the driver told all the passengers to get on and he would collect money on his return, possibly from his tea break. He returned 15 minutes later, then set off and collected the ticketless fares on reaching his destination.

Drivers could also be given an incentive to drive safely and be reported if mobile phones, one-handed steering or similar behaviour is used. A driver’s reactions are affected if he is distracted by phones or conversations.

In the UK, for example, safe driving awards and trophies are awarded every year.

This would involve a very intensive training programme and because of the generous payouts and concessions, e.g. employment for up to 10 years for most of our present drivers, they would be at the forefront.

Over the past week, while travelling on buses in Malta, there were three drivers who were very pleasant and courteous, and indeed one named Joseph on the 45 route obviously displayed a pride in his bus, which was clean and polished, a pride in his driving and also stopped on at least four occasions for passengers running to catch the bus.

Finally, I am rather apprehensive about the proposed bendy buses. Their reputation is poor, with reports of difficulties in manoeuvering round sharp bends etc., fare evasion, as the driver can only take fares from front entry, therefore relying on passengers approaching him to buy the ticket from the rear.

Let us hope that these and other initial inevitable problems can be tackled with the respect they demand by a competent and caring management team.