From Dr M. Asciak MD

I would like to commend you for taking up the cudgels of the delicate issue that is public transport. We have recently been regaled with the monstrosities conjured up by monopolies and the ugly face of violence. I always thought that people who think they have everything and can do whatever they like, have an ingrained propensity to revert to the use of violence. I could never understand how a small island like ours has such a large percentage of private vehicles adding to the ever-increasing pollution that already eangulfs us due to motor vehicle hydrocarbon combustion. There is obviously a great need to invest in improved public transport for purely environmental reasons.

The failure of our public transport system has let us, and visiting tourists, down for several years now and needs to be tackled courageously. The system fails from the word go. The take it or leave it attitude, the uncouthness of many (not all) drivers, the erratic timetable, which seems to be known only to drivers and seems to be a well guarded secret, and the hassle caused to patrons in general, has to stop. I know of parents who do not allow their children to use public transport and prefer them to walk long distances rather than catching a bus!

Recently, a visiting uncle and his wife from Canada, and are in their late seventies, took a bus to Mellieha to visit the shrine to Our Lady. They liked the general atmosphere there and decided to stay on, so they enquired what time the last bus to Valletta was. They were 15 minutes earlier than required at the bus stop, but the bus never appeared. Evidently, the driver decided to cancel the trip due to lack of patronage. I also recently asked a bus driver what route his bus followed so that I could tell my daughter where to get off on her way to work. The first answer was that he didn’t know. When I persevered, his answer was unprintable! I had to take her there myself!

A couple of year ago I had to spend two weeks in northern Italy. I visited the whole area where I was living by bus, which followed a strict timetable and was cheap. I also used taxis frequently and was impressed by their moderate charges. As I returned to the island in the early morning, I decided to take a taxi home. I first had to haggle for a long time on the price, which was exorbitant, and later had hassle to pay the price agreed including a VAT receipt, which he only agreed to give me after he found out I was an MP! That was the last time I ever took a white taxi. Services from garages are much cheaper and more efficient.

If they hassle locals, I hate to think what happens to the unsuspecting foreigner. This is not to say that the service is hopeless, but much needs to be done to bring our transport services out of the ark and into modern times. I am thinking in terms of less exhaust fumes, enforced taxi meters, electronic gadgets that tell you when the next bus is due on a particular bus stop, electronic gadgets to show you routes and times, efficient ticketing and a courteous service with a smile. I also want to ensure that the system is safe. I hear many stories from my younger daughter about what happens on the ride to and from school, the vocabulary learnt from some drivers, children and bags flying all over the place when there are sudden stops and occasionally I read of some, even falling off the bus or van. What in heaven’s name do we think we are on about? Well it’s a tall order as they say, but unless we really get started, we shall never bring about the necessary changes. If the strike was an eye-opener in any way, it not only showed the puerile mentality responsible for operating the service, but also highlighted that something needs to be done about it without delay.

Michael Asciak