[WATCH] Drivers emerge as Arriva’s redeeming factor

Arriva has set September 11 as the target date for the provision of a full service, which was fatally crippled in July when 180 drivers failed to turn up for their first day of work.

Judging by commuters at the Valletta terminus on Wednesday morning, 11 days before the Arriva deadline, some are still bitterly disappointed but most are more nuanced, welcoming various aspects of the new service.

Moreover, one redeeming factor mentioned by nearly all commuters interviewed are the new drivers.

While generally praising the new service, Mikhail Debono – a young student – still finds difficulties to keep up with appointments.

“Two days ago, I had a private lesson. I had to take two buses: one from Naxxar to Valletta, and one from Valletta to Rabat. I arrived at my appointment half an hour late.”

But Mikhail still thinks that Arriva is providing a better service to the old system, which was run by the Public Transport Association.

“The air conditioners make a big difference in the summer heat and the drivers are definitely more polite and good mannered.”

Daniela Degabriele also praised the drivers but she still laments of delays to arrive to B’Kara from Valletta.

Rose Abela was one of the few commuters who had no complaints about the timings.

“Buses from B’Bugia regularly leave every 15 minutes and unlike others, I have no complaints.”

She also praises the drivers for saying “good morning” to everyone and for assisting people by explaining the new routes.

Abela also finds the week ticket system convenient and cheap. Week tickets – which cost a mere €6.50, the equivalent of 14 bus rides under the old system – can be used for any number of bus rides.

“When I go to Sliema, I have to take four buses. Previously, I had to pay on each bus ride, now I pay only once… I buy a week ticket and the service is cheaper.”

But some commuters are still angry at the long duration of the trips.

Mary Desira from Ghaxaq complains that instead of taking a bus from near the church she has to walk to Bir id-Deheb.

“What used to be a 20 minutes trip now takes an hour as we have to take another bus at the park and ride.”

According to Desira, things can only get worse when traffic increases when the schools open again.

George Vella claims that a trip from San Gwann takes more than two hours while Joseph Dimech complains that buses in Mosta are already full up when they arrived packed by people embarking from Cirkewwa and Qawra. 

The imposition of higher fees on tourists who have to pay €2.60 instead of €1.30 for a bus ride has not irked British tourist Richard.

“It is OK for me… it is their country and they can have a discount, it does not bother me at all.”

But Francesca, a young Italian who is working here, is bothered by the fact that no distinction is made between tourists and foreigners working in Malta who do not have an ID card.

“I think it is not right to charge people who work here more. I am not a tourist.  I hope that they will understand this and make a distinction.”

Francesca also laments that at the beginning it was hard to find a bus, and she even arrived an hour late for work.

“But with time the situation has improved considerably.”