Students welcome direct bus routes, hope for ‘punctual and reliable’ service

KSU’s Social Policy Commissioner, Abigail Cremona, said the students’ body hopes that the service will truly meet students’ expectations, by providing a punctual and reliable service.

The inefficiency in the service for the students was highlighted by a student’s outburst during the launch of a €250,000 ICT project on campus. Theatre Studies student Nicolà Abela Garrett heckled transport minister Austin Gatt over his handling of the Arriva bus service.

Minister Gatt is also facing a motion moved by the Opposition in Parliament, calling for Gatt and other heads at Transport Malta responsible for the planning of the routes to resign. The motion also called for simpler routes and the re-introduction of the direct routes.

Last Saturday, Gatt announced that government had revamped the routes and brought back the hub and spoke system. Now all localities will have direct routes to Valletta, Mater Dei Hospital and the Universtiay.

“Although such an improvement shall commence as of the November 6, Arriva should do its utmost to improve efficiency in the remaining two weeks, since as a consequence of the current service, students are missing lectures or opting to use their cars instead of public transport,” Cremona said.

“In fact, this has led to one of the worst parking problems in recent years.”

KSU is calling all University students to pass on any queries or feedback they might have, which will then be passed on to the Transport Ministry.

“[We] also hope that Arriva Malta Ltd will respond to KSU’s request for a meeting, giving KSU the chance to present its feedback and insight on the matter.”

Cremona added that KSU hopes that the reform will “truly bring the immediate and effective action that students have been longing for, creating a public transport service which is efficient and up to standard.”