Transport Malta continues to monitor bus routes, registers improvement in service

With a well-developed network and direct routes now in place from each locality to both Valletta and Mater Dei, Transport Malta remains firmly focused on ensuring that Arriva deliver the level of service as contemplated in the contract, the transport authority said.

"The routes and bus stops that we have been monitoring this week, will continue to be monitored next week as repetitive failures over a two week period constitute a pattern of delay which are subject to fines," Stanley Portelli, Transport Malta's CEO said.

"A direct communication channel between Transport Malta's control room and that of Arriva is in place to ensure problematic routes are highlighted in real time to allow Arriva to deploy extra buses as required."

Since the introduction of the new direct routes to Valletta on November 6, Transport Malta has been monitoring critical routes for passenger waiting time and bus scheduling from the same bus stop during the morning peak hours.

The authority said the monitoring is intended to establish whether there exists a trend with regards to repetitive failures on passenger waiting time and bus scheduling.

"Should it transpire that a pattern of delay exists, then, as per Contract, Transport Malta will be in a position to fine Arriva as now four months have elapsed since the introduction of the service," TM said in a stament.

Transport Malta noted an improvement in the service provided on a number of routes problematic in the past. In particular during the morning peak (7am to 11.0am), all trips were performed on Route 31 (Naxxar), Route 62 (Siggiewi) and Route 91 (Marsaskala) between Monday and Friday.

Arriva also provided extra trips on Route 31 and Route 62 to address capacity issues and deployed articulated buses on Route 91 to address the problem being encountered by passengers boarding at Fgura.

Transport Malta said that the performance of Route 2 (il-Birgu), Route 3 (il Kalkara), Route 41 (San Pawl il Bahar), Routes 51, 52, 53 (l-mtarfa, Ħad-Dingli, ir-Rabat) Route 71 (iż-Zurrieq), Route 72 (il-Qrendi) and Route 82 (B'Bugia) were not consistent throughout the week: gaps were experienced in the services as a result of missing trips, causing delays for commuters using these services.

"We have advised Arriva that such gaps in the service are unacceptable and Arriva has been instructed to take all necessary action to ensure that the service operated across all routes operate to fixed headways in accordance with the published schedule," Transport Malta said.

At the same time, Transport Malta also registered a positive impact of the extra buses which Arriva has committed to deploy. "This benefit is expected to be felt across the network," the authority said.

Transport Malta confirmed that 12 extra buses were deployed last week. By beginning of December, all 36 extra buses will be available for deployment during the peak hours.

Referring to the new direct Valletta routes introduced this month, Transport Malta said it received positive feedback. It also acknowledged that a couple of these routes like Route 35 (Gharghur) and Route 55 (Lija) have experienced teething problems.

The transport authority thanked the Police for their support during the week in assisting with traffic management at key junctions throughout the network.