These days I am doing a lot of travel by bus, because at least twice a week I go to Gozo. So I take a bus from St Dominic Square in Rabat to Saqqajja, then route bus 186 to Mosta and then route bus 42 or 41 to Cirkewwa. After the ferry crossing, I travel by bus 301 to Rabat, Gozo and then by bus 305 to Sannat. Five buses in all. And another five to return home. I have had some minor irritations because of leaking air-conditioner water, for example, but Wednesday, 3 August was really bad.
These are two letters I have sent to Malta Public Transport. They speak for themselves:
Date 3.8.22, time 6.40pm, Bus 868, place Cirkewwa Alight. Route 42, Cirkewwa to Valletta 1 (sometimes it said Valletta 18).
I am 78. I tried to board the bus, but it had not been lowered, I stumbled. People behind, waiting to board, held me from falling. I tried to board again but could not. My legs would not lift me. Those behind saw I was going to fall back and someone grabbed me, held me tight against himself and gently lowered me into the bus.
In my confusion I did not look to see who it was who helped me. Though I said thank you, shakily.
Before seating myself I told the driver angrily and loudly why don't you lower the bloody bus? He had no answer.
After the bus got moving a young sweet girl, maybe 12 years old, or so, stopped in front of me, showed me a pack of tissues and offered them to me. I showed her I had tissues and still not having got over my upset, I am embarrassed to say, did not even say thank you.
All the way to the bus stage 'Rotunda' in Mosta, the driver never once lowered the bus. I was checking him and had a perfect view because I was seated right across the exit door.
He was in a hurry. After Mellieha hill there is a built bus stage. No one boarded or got off there so the driver went on, and through a red light that is some metres past the bus stage.
I got off at the Rotunda bus stage, but in spite of the people standing and boarding I went to the boarding door.
I told the driver, lower the bloody bus. Do you know how? And l showed him my bleeding arm.
It seems the Asians need some counselling. The 42 route bus driver was, I think, Indian, wearing a beard and dark skinned.
The driver of Bus 950 from Mosta to Rabat, lowered the bus every time he needed to stop, I noticed.
I could not walk home so after Saqqajja l waited for a bus near Ta Saura. One came. It was driven by another Asian. When he did not, I said lower the bus, which he did.
I have told you before that many of your drivers do not lower the bus. Your reaction was to ask me for details. Well, now you have them.
I hope you will do something about this. I don't want to sue but please do something. Send inspectors incognito to check. Perhaps you will get some results.
Thank you,
Roger Mifsud
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This is the second letter I sent to MPT
Date 4.8.22, time 9.20am bus 106 Route Valletta to Dingli
From Roger Mifsud See also my letter sent to you yesterday
We are on the way to Dingli, after having stopped at Rabat bus terminus.
A man and lady board the bus, the man submits a note of money. The driver apparently does not have change. The passenger who submitted the money note, goes to the driver when the bus stops at Ferris. He asks for the change, a heated verbal argument develops and the man goes back to his seat, without his change. I stop at Dumnikani, ask the driver to lower the bus. He refuses and says the bus does not go lower.
This driver was also Asian. I do not know how the money issue with the passenger ended.
You really need to get your act in order.
Roger Mifsud
Rabat