According to the findings of a survey on bus services in Malta, the public would consider using buses more often if these became more reliable, particularly by being more punctual, having more express trips and increased frequency, the Association for Consumer Rights - Malta said.
"Many survey respondents said they would also trust the bus service more if the waiting time for a bus to arrive is correctly shown on Tal-Linja app and on the digital display at bus stops. These findings emerged from a public survey that the Association for Consumer Rights (ACR) Malta, conducted between July and October 2022. The survey invited various sectors of the public to identify what deters them from using the bus service more often and what would encourage them to use it further. Over 1,100 persons participated in this survey."
Almost half the survey respondents said they hardly ever use public transport, the association said. "While close to 70% said they are not ready to use the buses more often just because they are now free of charge. Public commuters' reluctance to use public buses is however not immutable."
Over 90% of respondents said they would like more express minibus services with quick trips to destination, the association said. "However, about half of these respondents added that they will only use express minibus services if these prove to be punctual and reliable."
According to Catherine Camilleri, ACR Malta Executive Committee member in charge of Sustainable Consumption: "The people's response implies that there is lack of public trust in the bus service system. If we want to reduce fossil fuel dependence, Malta's traffic congestion and air pollution, it is critical to tackle the real deterrents that are holding the public back from using buses. The survey respondents identified what would entice them to use buses more often: punctual buses, no skipped scheduled trips, express short bus trips, more frequent trips especially on high-demand routes, buses that don't leave you stranded on bus stops, and a Tal-Linja mobile phone app that tracks bus location correctly just like a taxi app does."
The public's response was referred to the MCESD Civil Society Committee (CSC) where ACR Malta represents the consumer sector in Malta. In a meeting held on 13th January, the Civil Society Committee in turn presented the public's input together with a set of proposals aimed at improving the bus service to the Minister for Transport, the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Transport Malta (the bus service regulator), and to Malta Public Transport (the commercial bus service operator).
ACR Malta expressed satisfaction that the Minister for Transport and the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue welcomed the public's input and showed their commitment to spearhead further discussions with the stakeholders concerned on ways to improve the bus service in Malta.
"ACR Malta thanks the public for the helpful feedback given in the survey. It also thanks the MCESD Civil Society Committee sector representatives, local councils and the various NGOs that helped disseminate the survey to all sectors of society."
The Association assures consumers that it will continue to collaborate with the authorities towards a more reliable and efficient bus service in Malta.