43 comments so far.Arriva Malta route changes announced for Malta and Gozo
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Changes to a number of Arriva Malta bus routes in Malta and Gozo has been announced this afternoon by Transport Malta.
In a statement Arriva said that the changes, by Transport Malta, follow representations from passengers, local businesses and organisations.
The statement went on, “Arriva Malta has had extensive discussions with Transport Malta which focused on areas where links were not sufficiently catered for or where journey times have increased.
“The first of the changes will be implemented on July 31 with further changes on September,the 4th, October the 2nd and October the 30th.”
Arriva Managing Director Keith Bastow said that, “As previously commented it is almost inevitable that such a transformational change would lead to the need for some recalibration. The changes that have been announced will enhance the many new travel options already provided for by the new network.
Whilst the changes do have a commercial impact upon us, l am pleased to be able to confirm that this additional cost will be borne by Arriva Malta and will neither be passed onto the travelling public nor Transport Malta.”
The Transport Ministry said in a statement that there were, in all, 71 routes in Malta and Gozo and complaints were received about 18 of them.The new routes had been implemented following a long and extended consultation process which took two years and in which the public and local councils were invited to participate. However, the Ministry said “there was, unfortunately, little input in the planning stage.”
The ministry’s statement continued that “it was conscious that no matter how extended and effective consultation was, a change would have to be tweaked after it was implemented in practice and once the real clients, i.e. passengers, were listened to.
Routes to be shortened:
1.Cirkewwa to Valletta: Route 41 will stop passing through Bugibba.
2. Birzebbuga and Marsaxlokk to Valletta: Routes 81 and 82 will stop going to the Marsa Park and Ride.
3. Qrendi and Zurrieq to Valletta: Routes 71 and 72 will stop going to the airport.
New direct services
4. Direct services will be provided between cities and villages in the south and Mater Dei.
The ministry said that while there was an agreement in principle, the organisation of these routes was still being discussed with the operator and more details will be given in future.
5. Cirkewwa to Valletta: The service will be linked to the arrival of the Gozo Channel vessel and their will be few stops on the way to Valletta.
6. Rabat-Lija-Mosta-St Julian’s and Mater Dei: Route 202 will start going to Mater Dei to offer a direct service from these villages to hospital.
7. The three cities to Marsaskala: Routes 121 and 124 will be reorganised into one route creating a direct connection between the towns and villages.
8. Sliema to Gzira health centre: Changes will be made to route 116 to create a direct connection between Sliema and the Gzira health centre.
Additional services to Valletta:
9. Qormi (San Gorg) to Valletta: New route 63 will be created between Qormi (San Gorg), Hamrun and Valletta.
10. Ghaxaq, Gudja to Valletta: New route X5 linking these villages to Valletta will be created.
11. Attard to Valletta: New route 54 from Misrah Kola to the centre of Attard, ending in Valletta will be created.
12. Fleur de Lys to Valletta: A new direct route linking Valletta to the Old Railway in Birkirkara, Fleur-de-lys and Hamrun will be created.
13. Santa Lucija to Valletta: New route 83 will be introduced from Sta Lucija to Valletta.
14. Pembroke, Swieqi and Ta’ Giorni: New routes from and towards Valletta will be organised from these localities.
New more direct services to Valletta
15. Golden Bay/Mgarr to Valletta: Besides the existing service, a more direct service will also be created between Mgarr and Golden Bay to Valletta, passing through Mosta.
16. Gharghur to Valletta: A new more direct service between Gharghur and Valletta, passing through the Birkirkara by-pass and Mater Dei will be created.
17. Naxxar to Valletta: Besides the existing service, a more direct route between Naxxar and Valletta, passing through Birkirkara by-pass will be created.
18. Marsaskala: Route 91, which directly serves Marsascala to Valletta, will be extended to St Thomas Bay and the area near St Thomas Tower.
Route changes to netter cover urban zones:
19. Gzira (Rue D’Argens) and Sliema (Savoy): Routes 22 u 32 will start passing through Rue d’Argens in Gzira to Savoy in both directions to give a direct and fast connection from and to Valletta.
20. Birzebbuga (Tal-Papa): Route 82 will be adjusted to cover tal-Papa.
21. Xghajra: Route 3 will be adjusted to cover more of Xghajra.
22. Psaila Street, Birkirkara: Route 125 will be adjusted and given in both directions to provide better connections to Psaila Street.
23. Zejtun: The service will be extended to improve access to the east of Zejtun.
24. Kappara: Route 116 will be adjusted to better serve the zone.
25. San Gwann t’Ghuxa: Route 2 will start passing through this zone in both directions.
26. Xewkija: Route 302 will be adjusted to cover more of Xewkija.
27. Ghajnsielem: Route 303 will be adjusted to cover more of Ghajnsielem.
The ministry concluded by stating that following consultation with Arriva, the winter timetable will come into effect on October 2 instead of October 15, as had originally been planned.
Thank you for the changes. Just take care that old bus drivers employed with your company are not obstacles.
Today, round about one o’clock I boarded bus no. 21, going to Gharghur. When the driver arrived almost at Xwieki,he told his passangers that he was not going through Gharghur as he received a message that there was going to be a feast.
However there were about five passangers to Gharghur including myself, that there was no feast whatsoever at Gharghur. The driver answered that he did not know the way to Gharghur from where he was.
As most of the Gharghur passangers were frequent passengers, they knew that he worked with the old system, so I told him that he had to pass from the same route the old 56 bus used to follow. And he went through the right way!! Please, whoever is concerned must see that such things would not happen as of old!
Thank you.
What about the old route no 49 from Qawra
Unfortunately, we visited Malta from 8-22 July when the buses and the routes were new and possibly at their worst. Staying at Paradise Bay we were virtually marooned. On Sunday 10 July my Mum wanted to go to visit St Rita’s Church in Valletta. We were at the bus stop at 6.30 a.m. and after a tortuous journey arrived in Valletta at 8.30 a.m. We eventually arrived back at the hotel at 12.30 after my Mum spent 10 minutes in the church lighting a candle.
Our next attempt at a bus ride nearly ended in a riot at Sliema when after waiting over an hour for an 11 or 41 the bus arrived already packed. We have visited Malta several times in the past, as my parents are Maltese but I think this will be our last holiday there as it was very disappointing, If you wish to visit Malta you either need to hire a car or stay in the bigger resorts of Sliema or St Juliens so that you are not so marooned, unfortunately we prefer a quieter holiday so the island no longer is suitable for what we require. It is sad that what should be a progressive move for the country has been so abysmally managed. I feel sorry for the poor workers who are getting up at ridiculous hours to try and get into work on time and then waiting in extremely hot weather to fight with tourists to get home after a hard day at work.
I truly hope that he situation gets resolved sooner than later and tourism is not adversely affected.
Hoping that we don’t see drivers having long conversations with commuters as in the past, distracting the driver from driving safely
Thank you
Good Luck
I hope that as time goes by the service will get better.
What about the old route 169? I hope something will be arranged for all
those passengers who used to make use of this route.
please can you arrange something for gudja as i have to use this route everyday.The stop at the airport is quite far away from where i have to stop especially during winter.Another thing why is there no stage near the cemetery? not everybody drives a car and the stages nearby are not so near.Thank you please try and solve my problem
What about the old route 350 ? is there going to be a direct bus to mater dei and university ? and what can you say about us who live at Bubaqra or Nigret in Zurrieq ? we have to make a 30 min drive around villages before getting to airport and then have to take another bus to Valletta .So much waste of time in buses before getting to work One of the routes 117 or 118 should leave from Valletta and get direct to airport and continue with the same route from there…at least we will remain in the same bus not having to stop and get another bus.
The company will not succeed, relying on unprofessional management. We at Floriana are not considered especially about midday on route 51, 52 and 53, drivers are instructed to load the bus standing to maximmum, that means the never stop at Bus Stop Floraina B ignoring whoever is at that stage.
Hoping that the Management in the future will instruct the drivers to leave room for the passengers in Floriana.
WHAT ABOUT US LIVING IN G’MANGIA/PIETA AREA. ITS NOT EASY TO CATCH A BUS TO VALLETTA ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY. WE EITHER HAVE TO GO TO MSIDA, PIETA OR HAMRUN CENTRE. WE NEED YOUR SERVICE TO GO THROUGH MIMOSA STREET PLEASE TO VALLETTA . THANKS.
Mini buses are not following the route thro Ghaxaq correctly . They are neglecting two bus stops the way that pass infront the primary school -Valletta road – Dun Guzepp Demicoli Str. ,then to continue in main road to gudia – Airport and VICE VERSA
Services are improving, thanks. But we need bus shelters in various places throughout the island . Definitely needed is one in Bugibba near the Mac Donalds stage which is often frequented. Extremely sunny in Summer and extremelly chilly in Winter which is too much for young let alone for senior citizens. but I am sure this will be taken into your consideration. Thanks
Carmen
The Arriva new bus services at Gozo.
I suggest that a Television advertisement be done everyday to teach the people of Gozo including the tourists about the many trips which are being done by these Arriva Buses. To highlight the bus stops and to do a bus timetable available to everybody throught internet.
Following the publication of new bus routes and amendments, it was most surprising to note that no amendments have been made to improve the disastrous situation existing on Route 41 (Valletta to Cirkewwa and back).
The recent changes in place will hopefully accommodate everyone in the hope that new direct bus service to Valletta will lessen the burden to; multiple stops that prolongs one’s journey especially to work. Nonetheless, patience is not always practiced well with tempers flares, long lines and yes, “The Heat,” etc. This does complicate the initiatives to better bus service. In short, bus schedules will improve in time and I remain optimistic moving forward. Let’s all work together to bring about a better and improved bus service to our beautiful Island and encourage tourist to travel here more often then not.
Definitely there has been a great improvement in the Arriva buses, thanks to the organisers. What I cannot understand is how bus 31 which is supposed to operate every ten minutes, quite often is followed by another 31 and often a third one and arriving all three together after 25 minutes. Can’t they keep the time schedule?.
Another thing is , why do many buses leave the terminus full, with the result that the bus won’t stop on the way to pick up the others.
A third comment is why B’kara bus terminus was eliminated with the result that buses don’t pass from B’Kara to Hamrun as the old system was. Thanks for your attention.
Hi Carmen
Here in Gozo we had almost no bus service so Arriva has improved here in Gozo,Not the same can be said for our friends in Malta
The Arriva bus service in Gozo is a vast all-round improvement on the old bus service.
i am very pleased with the servis of gozo arriva buses thank god is inportant to keep time keeping run as normal ……………..for people can use them more
Re additional ervices to Valletta Point 12. When will this take place and what will the time schedule be?
Re route changes to better cover urban zones note 22 Psaila street to Valletta and vice versa , when will this come in service? What about the time table for this service. ?
Thank you for your attention.
Very well said Carmel Xuereb & Angela.
When will we be introduced the busses 81 and 82 that pass and stop at Bulebel 1st avenue bus stage like they used to before Arriva was introduced? Please we need an answer quickly.
Arriva is doing an excellent service in Gozo. It has become a common scene that you see people waiting at bus stops again, something unseen in the last 20 years. Gozo tourism should promote a campaign: Spend a second day in Gozo with Arriva. The system works, it is user friendly and cheap.
@ Mario. We had nothing and now we got something. That`s what our situation is.
Of course we are a lot better, but this does not apply for our neighbouring Malta.
@ cikku l-poplu
BE POSITIVE FOR ONCE !!!!!!!
@ Mario .In my comment I have said the whole truth
Where there was an improvement I said it and where there wasn`t I said it too.Is there something wrong with that??
In any new venture ‘pros and cons’ some cases have dramatic diversity such has been the case with ‘Malta’s Arriva Buses’ and/or schedules. Nevertheless, until all the “BUGS” are removed, and adaptation to new methods to off set the new from old practices that have affected the general public, patience is imminent. I responded previously with hope to overcome our anxieties to both our elected officials and Arriva management. Moreover, the Maltese people will benefit greatly in moving forward. An optimist looks at a glass of water filled midway as half full rather then half empty. Yes, improvements are required and there are still some rough edges for many to overcome? At least our complaints aren’t being ignored but rather addressed by Arriva to return to normal operations. Our elected officials and Arriva Managements want this to be a complete success. Naturally, for some it will not suffice!
@ cikku i-poplu
You answerd me for something that i didn’t mention it. My comment was only about the situation in Gozo.
Refering to bus no,54 is still not passing near the Attard housing estate where in the old bus services we used to have a bus terminus. Consequently, people living near tal- Mirakli area and further up near Ta Qali living area have no services at all. We were very happy when we had the old bus route running from Attard Housing Estate where there was a Bus Terminus. This can be solved by moving the Bus stage infront St. Cathrines by a few mts.up the road so that the bus 54 can pass from Hospital street
@ Mario.To me what`s right is right and what`s wrong is wrong ..FACT Gozo did better (because it had nothing) and Malta has gone far worse .That`s a fact that everyone experiences
@ cikku l-poplu
Why do you insist to mention a fact that I didn’t commented on. If you read carefully my comment was only on the situation in Gozo. If you want to comment on this fact there is no need to answer me for something that I didn’t even written about, so please write on this fact for your sadisfaction.
The old routes are back. But what about the old route no 49. Their is only one bus that go straght to Valletta the no 41 . St Pauls Bay is forgotten, because most of the time it will be packed and yesterday we were waiting for 3 quarter of an hour from 1 10 till 2 00 o clock for the no 41
@ Mario We were promised a much better service .What has happened? Is it better or worse . We all hear the news and also note all the complaints coming from Malta with traffic jams everywhere .
How do you explain taking almost one hour from Valletta to Msida ??
We were far better before that`s a fact
@ cikku l-poplu
Arriva is doing an excellent service in Gozo. It has become a common scene that you see people waiting at bus stops again, something unseen in the last 20 years.
@ Mario
Yes in Gozo ,but in Malta for sure NOT
.Have a look at all the traffic jams since Arriva was introduced ,all of those people had lost hope of arriving in time for work ,have a look at Cirkewwa to see all those gozitans parked there
@ cikku l-poplu
That’s why whe need more projects in Gozo so that to stop seeing Gozitan cars parked at Cirkewwa.
I have been in Malta two weeks ago and waited one and a half hours for a bus from Bugibba to Cirkewwa before I finally gave up. Another time I waited over an hour on the same route and then walked 3miles… the only buses that passed me were full. So it sounds as if things have improved in the last couple of weeks! I will not be visiting again tho, can’t stand the new buses even if they have now improved the service. I feel sorry for those who live there.
Lorraine
@ Mario .Of course we need more projects but a big BUT they have to sustainable ones ,for example get a decent factory to operate from Xewkija industrial estate ,get the IT industry to set up some of it`s buisness as well,
Do you call these so called projects by demolishing existing Hotels to turn them into flats as sustainable ?????
My lady friend and I have just returned home from a three week holiday in Malta. A holiday which was spoiled by problems with the bus service. Travelling from Velletta we were packed into the bus like cattle. The driver was shouting at us and forcing more and more people on to the bus. Once under way we left passengers at the roadside. Those of us on the bus could not reach the bell push – we actually were carried past our stop. Inspite of fellow passengers shouting to the driver..! Total misery. In the past we bought weekly tickets and travelled all over the the island cheerfully and with little or no problems. This year we lost confidence and used the bus`s as little as possible. Many regular visitors are very sad. Like us they too may decide to give Malta a miss in future. We love Malta and the helpful and friendly people. They deserve better.
@ Rodney Scull
I feel sorry for your problems that you faced while visiting us .But unfortunately this current government made a whole mess of the Bus system and when people complain they will be told that they are biased and they are complaining because they don`t like this current government
@ cikku l-poplu
So what do you want to do scrap this service offerred by Arriva and go back to the old service with the old dirty buses or arrange this new service for the better ?
“Bendy” Buses have a poor track record
Bendy Buses are responsible for 3 times as many accidents where Cyclists are concerned and for 6 times as many accidents where pedestrians are concerned – when compared to “Normal” buses.
Motorists, Cyclists, and Pedestrians often fail to gauge the relative motion of these buses.
These buses were scrapped from London following a public out cry on their terrible track record
We don’t need them here and “normal” buses should be used for safety purposes.
Vera li t-transport f’Ghawdex ser jiehdu Kumpanija Ghawdxija ?
Ghaliex jekk dan u vera allura it-transport f’Ghawdex ser jerga imur mitt sena lura.
It-transport f’Ghawdex ghandu ikun inkluz ma dik il-Kumpanija li ser tiehu t-transport ta Malta minflok l-Arriva.