A complete fumigation exercise on all of the buses in circulation is currently underway as a preventive measure, a spokesperson for Malta Public Transport (MPT) told this newspaper.
Over the past weeks a number of users have reported seeing multiple cockroaches and various insects on board the buses, with one individual going as far as posting videos on the popular social media group The Salott.
When reached for comment, MPT explained that buses are inspected every day as part of the cleaning programme implemented by the company. This process is then followed by fumigation in cases where cockroaches or insects are detected.
“Furthermore, the full fleet is fumigated once a year as part of a preventive program.”
It was explained that the most recent fumigation was carried out in August 2018. But a complete fumigation exercise is being carried out again following the recent reports.
“The company regrets any inconvenience this may have caused its passengers and assures them that immediate action is being taken.”
In response to the post in The Salott, Deputy Leader of Partit Demokratiku Timothy Alden posted an email he sent to Minister for Transport Ian Borg concerning this issue.
Alden called for the issue to be seen to immediately, and the potential source of the infestation to be dealt with – comparing the situation to a less serious version of the 2006 movie “Snakes on a Plane”.