Arriva, the public transport operator in Malta, has launched a scheme through which persons taking their first steps towards re-integrating in society can benefit from free transportation on Arriva services for a definite period of time.

Called Ghinni Nasal (Help Me Get There) the scheme was launched at the Head Office of Caritas Malta, which is one of the first organisations to benefit from it. The other beneficiaries are the Richmond Foundation, Sedqa and the St Joseph Home.

Speaking at the launch, Arriva’s Commercial Manager Thomas Dimech said that the campaign will provide free mobility on a short term basis to people who need it most. Trasport is Arriva’s central role within the Maltese community and the Ghinni Nasal Campaign will allow organsations to apply for this scheme in the name of people who need mobility as they take their first steps in their journey back towards society.

Mr. Dimech said Arriva believes that its role is more than being a business that operates public transport services. The Company considers it its duty to use its resources and abilities to enrich the community it operates in, and central to Arriva’s CSR campaign this year is the Ghinni Nasal Campaign through which, and with the help of the participating organisations, the Company will be able to help a great number of people.

The initiative will work with the collaboration of NGOs which will apply for bus passes under the Ghinni Nasal scheme. Each one of these bus passes will be valid for a short period of time and will cover Arriva day buses as per the regular bus schedules.

Present at the launch were Mgr. Carmelo Farrugia, Assistant Director of Caritas Malta, Ms Dolores Gauci, CEO of the Richmond Foundation, Mr. Jesmond Schembri, Operations Director of Sedqa, and Fr Frankie Cini, Director of St Joseph Home.

Mgr. Farrugia thanked Arriva for this initiative, which will help many people move on from difficult periods in their lives. Ms Gauci commented on the name of the campaign saying that Ghinni Nasal reflects what the beneficiaries were ultimately trying to do: helping people to get to a better place in their lives.

Fr. Cini spoke on the usefulness of this scheme in helping disadvanted students bridge the gap between student-life and working life, when they are just about to embark on their first job. Mr Schembri said that Sedqa welcomed Arriva’s initiative that can be of help to many of the agency’s clients.

The Ghinni Nasal Campaign will be overseen by a committee elected by Arriva’s Interim Managing Director Mr. Dave Kaye. Chaired by Arriva’s Commericial Manager Mr.Thomas Dimech, the committee will include Arriva officials Ms Joyce Cassar, Training Manager, Mr. Ray Cini from the Finance Office, Communications Coordinator Mr. Clint Galea, and Financial Controller Mr. Ivan Camilleri.

Photo shows from Left to right: Mr Jesmond Schembri, Fr. Frankie Cini, Mgr. Carmelo Farrugia, Mr Thomas Dimech, Ms Joyce Cassar, Mr Ray Cini and Ms Dolores Cauci.

Permalink: Arriva launches its new aid scheme ‘Help Me Get There’