Opposition MP rips into ‘shoddy’ public transport service

Opposition MP Toni Bezzina cast doubt on the government’s contract with bus operators Autobuses de Leon, warning that the public is paying through their noses in subsidy to the Spanish company in return for a shoddy service

In his parliamentary adjounrment, Bezzia tore into the public transport system, warning that buses often arrive late, that route times aren’t adhered to and that people are often left waiting for hours.

He cited a case whereby a person had to walk from Kirkop to Qrendi because the last scheduled bus at 11pm didn’t turn up, and another whereby a person had to wait for a bus for a whole hour before three turned up within the span of five minutes.

He noted a parliamentary question he had recently asked to transport minister Joe Mizzi, which revealed that Autobuses de Leon was granted €30 million in subsidy in 2014, almost quadruple the €8 million that was granted to Arriva in 2012.

“We are paying quadrple the subsidy for routes that aren’t functioning and buses that arrive late,” he said. “It’s a sign that something stinks in the government’s deal with the operator.”

Moreover, he questioned why the government hasn’t charged Autobuses de Leon a single cent for its shortcomings, when the previous PN administration had charged former operator Arriva thousands of euro for its shortcomings.