I was relieved to find out that Transport Malta along with Arriva will be reviewing several of the new bus routes.

This is a pro-active way to start resolving any glaring inconveniences that may have understandably cropped up in the early days of this new service.

As a local councillor in Santa Lucija, I am often in close contact with residents and those in the surrounding towns and villages.

Beyond the initial obstacles and challenges, many commuters are slowly coming to terms with the intricacies of the new service.

I was pleased to learn from the statement that the 81 and 82 routes running through Paola and Tarxien will no longer have to interchange at Marsa Park and Ride but will proceed directly to Valletta.

Clearly, this will reduce the lead-time and the inconvenience of a further interchange. This was one of the most frequent complaints I have received so far and hopefully this change will happen soon.

One appreciates that the 126 route Santa Lucija /Paola is probably the most cost-effective route given the size of our locality.

As many residents in this locality are elderly people who exclusively use the service directed to Mater Dei, the repeated interchanges might be creating unnecessary difficulty. It has been proposed to me that a service directly to Mater Dei through Santa Lucija on a limited out bound service at 7.30am and 8.30am and a return at 11.30am and 12.30pm be created to address this problem. This service could be also ideal for students travelling to university. This will undoubtedly mitigate some of the inconveniences being felt by passengers visit the general hospital on a regular basis.

While wishing Arriva all the very best, I trust that such proposals are taken on board to ensure that the leap of quality in our public transport system is assured also with the best possible routes, which should aim to facilitate the use of the system rather than the opposite.

Caroline Galea

SANTA LUCIJA