There are many facets to the reform of public transport and, understandably, such a reform cannot bring a system, which had remained unchanged for many years, to acceptable 21st century standards overnight.

However, the commuter − who was not consulted at all in this reform − is now being made to shoulder all the difficulties of the transition. This goes against the principle of fairness! And so the authorities should intervene.

For a start, the routes need to be urgently revised so that the travelling time of the commuter would not be excessively longer than under the old system. A mechanism whereby routes are sanctioned with public participation should also be introduced.

It is understandable that this is expected to take many weeks to complete so, as a matter of urgency, Transport Malta should suspend those routes it considers are creating excessive hardship to the commuter and re-introduce the old routes.

Mario Mifsud

HAMRUN