As someone who visits Malta three or four times a year, it is noticeable how much the bus service has deteriorated since the demise of Arriva.

Under Arriva, services were frequent and pretty much on time, as there were regular checks by inspectors. What is there now? Less frequent services, and generally finishing about 10pm. Timetables on bus stops are just a waste of paper.

If a bus does turn up, it is very seldom, if ever, at the time specified on the timetable. Times are designated to the nearest minute. They might as well put the nearest 15 minutes.

Inspectors checking times seem to spend their time at the termini, chatting and passing time with the drivers. It seems that bus services are merely to provide occupation and payment to drivers, and passengers (customers?) are of secondary importance. MPT should realise that the tourist trade is an important part of their income. Most tourists do not want to travel a couple of hundred metres. They want to get around the whole island, on reliable services.

To give an example: under Arriva the No.12 ran from Qawra every 15 minutes to Valletta, via Sliema, until 11pm, in both directions.

This has been replaced by the 212, every 30 mins (if lucky!) terminating at Sliema, and finishing at 10pm. It is only every 30mins until 8pm. Thereafter it is an hourly service.

MPT, on the other hand, have services virtually every five minutes from Valletta to St Julian’s, and Pembroke Park & Ride. Do they not realise that there are many tourists based in Buġibba and Qawra?