Children asked to show birth certificates on buses

An Arriva customer care official admitted to the practice this week, explaining that it was intended to verify residency status – which has a bearing on the controversial two-tier system, as the service is subsidised for Maltese residents – as well as age, as otherwise children will have to be charged adult fares.

As most children aged 11 do not have ID cards, birth certificates are requested instead, the company claimed.

Arriva also confirmed receiving a number of complaints in conjunction with this policy, which apart from being criticised as ‘invasive’, also appears to be applied in an arbitrary manner.

An Arriva official explained over the phone that all children are expected to carry some form of ID when boarding a bus. However, individuals who contacted MaltaToday claim that in their experience, drivers are selective when it comes to asking for such documentation.

Children’s Commissioner Helen D’Amato, who was alerted to the issue by email, last month, has requested an explanation from the Transport Ministry.

“This practice is needless, as 11-13 year-olds can safely be assumed to be residents since children of this age-group who are not residents, do not usually travel to and within Malta unaccompanied by adults,” Damato told MaltaToday.

“More so, the practice is not necessarily effective, as birth certificates do not carry proof of residency. Last but not least, the practice raises serious ethical issues with regard to the right of children to protection of their personal data since birth certificates may carry information which is intimately personal and confidential in nature”.

The Commissioner raised the matter with the ministry responsible for Arriva in an email dated 30 September.

“The official replied on the same day, informing that they would take up the matter with the operator (i.e. Arriva),” Damato added. “However, up to today, no feedback has been forthcoming”. 

It is understood that complaints about the same practice have been separately to the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE).