As a frequent visitor to Malta over the past 20 years, like many I have experienced a love-hate relationship with the buses.

The quaint vehicles, with their distinctive colours and styles, were frequent and cheap to use. More recently, we survived the Arriva contract with their revised routes, timetables and the notorious bendy buses. Now, Malta Public Transport offer a reasonable, frequent and reliable service. However, there is at least one lapse in their customer service. 

While the sign at the Chalet bus stop on the Sliema/Buġibba route shows 11 scheduled services, timetables are posted for only seven of them, including the number 13 service. The elusive timetables are 202 to Rabat, 212 to Buġibba, 222 to Ċirkewwa and 225 to Għajn Tuffieħa, possibly some of the most popular tourist routes.

Hopefully, this letter will prompt the necessary response and action from Malta Public Transport, including a survey to ensure that all bus stops on the island show correct and comprehensive timetable information for scheduled services.

On a more positive note, may I compliment Malta Public Transport on the much-improved service offered to passengers with reduced mobility. It is now the norm that the bus floor is lowered to assist with boarding and alighting and the company is making every effort to ensure that the designated seating is made available where possible. It is a pity that the same courtesy is not extended by the travelling public towards passengers with disabilities.