Updates with government and Transport Malta call for Arriva to withdraw bendy buses at 2.45pm and GWU statement making the same demand; outcome of this evening’s talks at 7.15 p.m.; Arriva statement at 8.05 p.m.

 

To help minimise any inconvenience of the public transport system, talks were held this evening to identify temporary solutions between the Transport Ministry, Arriva and Transport Malta.

Following this evening’s talks, the Transport Ministry said that as from tomorrow the Unsheduled Bus Services (UBS) operator will join forces with Arriva to operate routes which will be affected as a result of the decision that was taken earlier today, that of withdrawing all Arriva bendy buses, a total of 68.

The ministry also said that Arriva will be financing the additional expenses that will be incurred so that the operation could go ahead as planned.

Meanwhile, Arriva confirmed in a statement issued this evening that all articulated (bendy) buses have been temporarily withdrawn.

Arriva said that it will use its best endeavours to ensure the continuity of service on all routes and limit disruption adding that a transport operator has been subcontracted as a temporary measure to provide replacement vehicles and help ensure a satisfactory level of service.

Arriva advised customers that subcontracted vehicles will not feature its standard bus livery. Drivers of these vehicles will not be able to sell tickets so customers are advised to purchase their tickets off-board from ticket machines, street sellers or Arriva ticket booths.

Arriva said that it would continue to collaborate with the ministry and the regulating authority in order to achieve a public transportation system that meets legitimate passenger expectations and that is aligned with the government’s objectives.

More information is available on Arriva’s website www.arriva.com.mt

Earlier

A Mercedes-Benz bendy bus caught fire next to the Olympic garden in Xemxija this morning, and this third accident will lead to the suspension of the use of such buses until a full inquiry is concluded.

This is the third bus to have caught fire in a matter of a few days, and this prompted the ministry responsible for transport and the regulating body, Transport Malta, to demand that the bendy buses used by Arriva are withrawn by this evening.

Arriva have agreed to this and the buses will be withdrawn after today's shift, the government said.

The parties also agreed that an independent investigator will look into the issue.

Discussions will continue between the ministry, Transport Malta and Arriva, as well as operators in the sector, for an adequate solution to minimise the inconvenience caused to the suspension of bendy buses, the government said.

The General Workers Union had also called for the withdrawal of all bendy buses after the third incident. 

Today's fire was extinguished by members of the Civil Protection Department.

The driver, who is British, was visibly shocked. No one was injured.

On Sunday, a bendy bus caught fire in Marsa and on the same day another caught fire in Mellieha.

Last month, a bus caught fire in Spinola, St Julian’s. 

The bus that caught fire today was carrying around 30 people. The driver observed black smoke as soon as he reached the Xemxija roundabout and asked the passengers to immediately evacuate the bus.

The General Workers Union has demanded that Arriva immediately withdraws all bendy buses from service until investigations on the three fires that resulted within 48 hours are concluded.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, the GWU transport secretary Jeremy Camilleri explained that during the meeting held late yesterday afternoon with Arriva, it was agreed that Arriva was to appoint an independent investigation team. A magisterial inquiry and another by Transport Malta were underway.

In the next week, Arriva is to inspect all bendy buses for possible faults. It is also to introduce new means of cleaning the buses’ engines. The GWU is considering a number of options if Arriva fails to withdraw the bendy buses from service. It believes that the third incident has compounded matters and the action it is suggesting is in the interest of drivers and passengers.

The union is also assessing drivers’ training and the buses’ safety features. It is of the opinion that Arriva should intensify drivers’ training on safety matters.

Yesterday it was also established that Arriva drivers must check the bus to make sure it is equipped with a fire extinguisher and should not drive if this is missing. 

Yesterday, the GWU also wrote to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) on the first two incidents that took place within 24 hours but was told that Transport Malta is the responsible authority. 

In a second statement, the GWU expressed its satisfaction that its call for the withdrawal of the bendy buses had been followed by the government and Transport Malta.