Scheduled routes: TM reports steady improvements across most of the network

“The changes introduced last Sunday have resulted in significant improvements across the network although some areas still require adjustment,” Transport Malta’s Chief Executive, Stanley Portelli said yesterday on the fourth day of monitoring of the service.

The amendments to the network were carried out following an analytical exercise carried out on feedback from the travelling public by Transport Malta and Arriva.

Transport Malta is monitoring routes on a daily basis through its control room and through the detailing of a number of enforcement officers and officals at critical points. Today, Transport Malta monitored 11 routes, namely Route 2 (il-Birgu),  Route 3 (il-Kalkara), Route 51 (l-Imtarfa), Route 52 (Had-Dingli), Route 53 (ir-Rabat), Route 62 (is-Siggiewi), Route 71 (Zurrieq), Route 72 (Qrendi), Route 82 (B’Bugia) and Route 91 (Marsaskala).   

The performance of Route 53 (ir-Rabat), Route 91 (Marsaskala) and Route 82 (Birzebbuga) was postive with all trips being performed and no passengers being left stranded.  In particular on Route 91 (Marsaskala), which in the past has been experiencing capacity problems at Fgura, all 24 scheduled trips were performed with only three trips being delayed by more bthan 10 minutes between 7.00 am and 11.00 am.

Although no passengers were left stranded Route 2 (il-Birgu), Route 3 (il-Kalkara), on Route 51 (l-Imtarfa), Route 52 (Had-Dingli), Route 62 (is-Siggiewi) and Route 72 (iz-Zurrieq) failed to perform all scheduled trips and therefore gaps were experienced in the service.  These shortcomimgs have been reported to Arriva and Transport Malta will be taking all necessary action to ensure that the public is provided with the contracted service.

Transport Malta said it continued to receive positive feedback including:

A Ta’ Giorni resident commented “that the service on Route 24 was very good between 7.15 am and 8.00 am - on time, with no queues.”

A Swatar student who frequents the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar reported “a 12-minute trip from Valley Road B’Kara to the School on Route 43”.

A San Gwann elderly resident called in to report how convenient it was for her to go to Rabat to visit her cousins.  “I caught the bus to the Mater Dei Interchange and then boarded bus 202 to Rabat.  It was a pleasant experience and I look forward to including it in my weekly outings. Thank you,” she concluded.