Maltese management team for Arriva – Joe Mizzi

Transport minister Joe Mizzi today paid a visit to Melita Street in Valletta where the street paving had to be redone at a cost of €100,000.

The minister announced that new public transport routes would be introduced by November and a new Maltese management team would lead the Arriva branch in Malta.

Quizzed on the public transport reform promised by the Labour administration, the transport minister said: "Never has anyone been so transparent on the situation with Arriva, which is completely unacceptable," Mizzi said.

He pointed out that the ministry was in discussions with local councils and in the process of drawing up new routes, which would then be reviewed and implemented by Arriva by November.

"I have already made it clear to Arriva that they need to increase the number of vehicles," Mizzi said, confirming that such changes would lead to a review of the agreement with Arriva.

The British based company would need to be paid for any additional mileage and vehicles used, Mizzi said. Moreover, Mizzi explained that during discussions with Arriva, the government had demanded an improvement of bus drivers' conditions and a Maltese management team. Both conditions were accepted by Arriva.

He added that bendy busses would be kept, because they are useful on "some routes at certain times."

Asked for an update on his impromptu visits to bus stops and on buses, Mizzi said that it was evident that the company needed to increase the number of vehicles on the road and improve punctuality.

Treading on thin ice, the minister also expressed his "surprise" at the good manners and driving skills of a female driver he met on one of his surprise visits.

He also said that on one of his trips, the air conditioning on a bus was functioning well, however its effects were only felt by passengers after he closed the bus windows himself.

Turning his attention to the road works in Valletta, Mizzi explained that extensive repairs had to be carried out in Melita Street following sub-standard paving works carried out under the previous government.

"Upon being completed the first time under the previous administration, a flurry of complaints reached the Valletta local council in relation to the quality of the works. this also reached Parliament and although the responsible minister had pledged to address the situation, nothing was done."

Mizzi added that upon being elected, he had to deal with the paving and with the contractor who wriggled his way out of any contractual obligations.

However, the paving was redone at a cost of €100,000, funds which Mizzi said could have been used to upgrade two roads, one in Gudja and the other in Mellieha.

these two projects were in the pipeline, however they could have been completed by now had the previous administration completed melita street properly.

Pointing out that the repaving was completed three weeks ahead of schedule at no extra cost, Mizzi said "our priority is to install a mentality in which deadlines, budgets and standards are respected by contractors"

Mizzi also spoke about other works being carried out by the government, citing the Marsa crossroads next to the Addolorata Cemetry as one of the projects in the pipeline.

"We are receiving a number of interesting proposals, including the use of innovative technology. Probably the project will not even include one single roundabout, however we are still receiving proposals and nothing g has been decided yet," Mizzi said.