Transport Malta has announced changes which are planned for the existing bus routes which have brought havoc to the lives of many thousands of commuters, locals and foreign alike. Ironically the great majority of the “new” routes announced are not new at all. They are the old routes which minister Austin Gatt and Transport Malta, in their infinite wisdom, chose to change to supposedly bring about a “much-needed revolution to public transport in Malta”. Indeed, they succeeded in bringing about “a revolution” but not the one predicted by our arrogant minister.

While I am sure that everybody hopes that finally the Arriva fiasco comes to an end, the harm done to tourism cannot be undone just by announcing a reversal to the old routes. The many thousands of tourists who were forced to wait under a scorching sun for hours will not easily forget their extremely unpleasant experience. And worse. The harm done when prospective tourists hear of these experiences from their friends and relatives, will certainly have a negative effect on Malta’s image.

While the Maltese can only “like it or lump it”, no one can force tourists to do likewise. They will just skip Malta when they make their holiday plans.

Eddy Privitera

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