It is a known fact that hundreds of tertiary education students travel by public transport on a daily basis. However, I do not think that enough is being done to encourage more students to use the buses due to inefficiency in the system.

Every morning I take the 6.45am direct service number 810 (from Dingli going to St Luke’s, Junior College, Mater Dei and University) and get to University just in time for my 8am lectures. This had worked out until now since I board the bus as it enters Attard from the Rabat Road and often it is standing room only. Besides, as a rule the first of the two buses at that time arrives full at Attard and does not even stop at bus stages.

This situation is causing great inconvenience to University students (incidentally us Seracini form one of the largest groups) who do not manage to board the 810 bus and arrive late for their lectures.

Undoubtedly, the state of affairs will deteriorate when, in three weeks’ time, Mater Dei will welcome its first outpatients.

Considering all this, I would like to suggest the introduction of a new bus route (no. 400) leaving Attard terminus to the University and Mater Dei operating at 6.45am to pick up students, outpatients and hospital staff from Attard, Lija, Balzan and Birkirkara valley.

This new bus route would provide a convenient service, which will surely be heavily patronised. Besides, it will encourage more people to use public transport and to a certain extent relieve Attard of some of the volume which creates problematic traffic flows every morning.

Stefan Cassar

Attard