The conflict raging in Libya has somewhat deflected the attention on the public transport system operated by Arriva since 3 July, and the laments on the lack of adequate service provided in the first few days seems to have subsided sufficiently to take stock of the present situation.

As the country knows only too well, the service was hyped up significantly prior to the new company taking over the service from the Public Transport Association, but the public relations disaster which ensued following the launch as a result of the prolonged lack of adequate service could possibly mean that irreparable damage was inflicted to the service which had the main aim of attracting more passengers to use public transport in favour of their own private means of transport.

With hindsight, the taking over of the entire public transport system overnight was a huge mistake. Perhaps a gradual handover with a few routes at a time would have yielded better results and initial hitches in the system could have been sorted out without interrupting an entire network and while still providing an extensive coverage for the majority of routes.

The situation now is that the operator should be working towards a self-imposed deadline of 11 September (which ironically coincides with one of the worst atrocities that the world has experienced 10 years ago), to provide a service which is on par with what had been agreed according to the contract signed and possibly deliver what had been promised to the nation in terms of providing a public transport system significantly above par to what was provided by the Public Transport Association until two months ago.

While official daily briefings have ceased, the improvement in the level of service seems to be tangible but it remains to be confirmed whether it is reaching the levels stipulated in the contract. In this regard, a glaring omission has been that of Transport Malta in making any form of announcement despite being the authority responsible for the public transport service.

The least one could have expected was a statement by Transport Malta to explain the situation from the point of view of the only entity tasked with ensuring that the tax-paying public is well-served through a system which the authority itself devised. Furthermore, there has been no mention of penalties applicable according to the terms agreed for the reduced service provided for several days.

This lack of apparent communication can only lead to presumption that Transport Malta is powerless to intervene and ensure that Arriva delivers the levels of service promised in an efficient and timely manner. On the other hand, any measures intended to wean-off commuters from their private vehicles remains premature at this stage, at least until the new system reaches the desired level and has been thoroughly tried and tested to everyone’s satisfaction.