The new Arriva bus service, to be launched on 3 July, will be introducing bendy buses as well as the King Long buses and mini buses.

Poles for bus stops and timetable displays are being put up close to existent bus stops as well as areas that were previously not served by public transport. Rural villages like Baħrija, where a local council-organised minibus currently ferries people to the nearest town Rabat only twice-a-day, should also be served by the new public transport system. So should small housing estates in several towns and villages.

Residents of a particular quiet area in the Mellieħa town core have filed judicial protests expressing their worry against new transport arrangements that will cause inconvenience in narrow roads. Pollution and noise problems, as well as new dangers for pedestrians and drivers are on these people’s minds.

Will the new transport configuration system be altering the configuration of our towns and villages?

■ Charles Camilleri

Mosta