A group of parents from seven families say their children's school bus journeys from northern Malta to St Francis School in Cospicua have more than doubled this school year, with some children being collected as early as 5.45am.

In an exclusive letter to The Malta Independent, the parents said journeys that took around 45 minutes last year now regularly exceed an hour and a half. They are asking the authorities to review the route allocation, including whether a pupil from St Paul's Bay could be assigned to an existing Mosta-Burmarrad route instead.

The parents stressed that their concerns were about how the route had been organised, not the drivers, whom they said were doing their best to get the children to school on time.

They explained that the Mellieħa route already serves children from the north, including Imġarr, but this year a pupil from St Paul's Bay was also included. As the localities lie in different directions, parents believe the additional stop has contributed to longer journeys and earlier collection times.

The parents said they approached the school to ask whether the pupil from St Paul's Bay could use a more suitable route. They were told that a Mosta-Burmarrad service already existed and would be geographically closer. According to the families, the school has also raised concerns with the relevant authorities and supports a review.

On 28 September, one parent contacted Coop Services to request a review of the morning route, with another parent supporting the request. They said they were not asking for a new service or for the existing route to be split, but for the authorities to consider whether the pupil could be accommodated on the existing Mosta-Burmarrad route.

The parents said they raised the issue with the Ministry on 1 October. Head of School Transport Vincent Cassar reportedly replied that the northern route served the north-to-south journey, started early because the school began early, was financially viable and carried eight students. He also said the route could not be split further.

The parents said they clarified that they were not asking for the route to be split or for a new service to be created, but were told there was no other solution.

They also said they were told during a conversation with Cassar that they should not have chosen a school so far away, a response they described as unfair and unhelpful.

The families said their children had been offered places at St Francis through the ballot process after families ranked ahead of them declined their places. They said they were happy with the school and its staff, and that their children had settled in and made friends.

The long journeys are also affecting families in the afternoon. One parent reported that her child arrived home at 2.42pm, despite school finishing at 1pm. Because her son has extracurricular activities, she now has to collect him herself in St Paul's Bay so he can arrive on time.

The parents said this creates an additional car journey and undermines one of the aims of school transport: reducing traffic on the roads.

Their concerns come as the government promotes the benefits of free school transport. A TVMnews report published on 2 October cited a study commissioned by the Ministry for Education which estimated that organised school transport removes around 19,500 private vehicles from the roads during the morning and early afternoon.

The report said around 37,000 students in state, Church and independent schools in Malta and Gozo use the service, which operates approximately 2,500 routes and costs around €72 million annually. The study also estimated that families save between €35 and €52 a month in fuel costs.

The parents are concerned that the number of children using the Mellieħa route could increase next school year, adding further time to journeys that are already lengthy. They also expect road closures in Xemxija and St Paul's Bay to cause further delays.

They are calling for the route allocation to be reviewed, particularly whether the pupil from St Paul's Bay could use the existing Mosta-Burmarrad service.

The families have offered to provide copies of their correspondence with Coop Services and the Ministry and are asking the authorities to consider a more suitable arrangement.