1 comment.GUG voices concerns to Transport Minister over X1 route
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The Gozo University Group, earlier this week sent an email statement to Joe Mizzi, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, voicing its concerns over the ongoing problems of the X1 bus route in Malta experienced not only by students, but also Gozitans travelling to Malta for work, Mater Dei patients and their visitors, among others.
The GUG Executive told Gozo News that to date, the Group have yet to receive a response from the Minister.
In their statement the Group said “GUG is a student organization which represents and caters for the particular problems and needs, which Gozitan students may encounter. The Group, being the only voice for Gozitan youths and students, works endlessly during the year to safeguard their rights and interests.
“The X1 Bus route is an essential route for Gozitans. It is not only used by students but also by Gozitans working in Malta, Mater Dei patients and visiting relatives. We must recognise that a number of improvements were made; however, this route is not yet as efficient as one would expect. This is evidenced by the number of enquirers and difficulties with the X1 bus route that have been passed on to us.”
“One of the main difficulties encountered is the timewasted waiting for the bus to arrive, since the schedule is not always accurate,” GUG stated. “Since X1 leaves from the airport it means it may be 5 minutes late or even 45 minutes late. This problem is felt more on Fridays and Thursday evenings, when an influx of students are returning to Gozo with their luggage, when a delay also means that the bus be even fuller.”
“This clearly indicates the necessity to have a direct route from University to Cirkewwa. Prior to the introduction of the new public transport system, the route between Msida to Cirkewwa and vice-versa was catered for by Route 450. This used to be a direct bus, which left every hour from the University stage. This was more convenient to Gozitans since this route followed a stable timetable and students were never left waiting.”
GUG commented that “another complaint which students pose to us is that when travelling from Gozo to Malta or vice versa, students have to buy two tickets, one in Gozo and another for Malta which is an extra expense. In the beginning of the new transport system, a ticket bought in Gozo could be used in Malta as well. Itwould be ideal to return to this for Gozitan students and Gozitans in general.”
In conclusion GUG said that “we propose that the connection between Msida and the airport should be separated, having one routes from Cirkewwa to University/Mater Dei, to be stationed there and leaving every hour and another route connecting Cirkewwa to the Airport.”
As a regular user of the X1 to get from the airport to the ferry I have not had any problems with it but the article should recognise that this route is also an important tourist link. As such the detours around the Mater Dei and university are a bit irritating when all you want to do is get from point to point. I think that the introduction of an X1 express as suggested by GUG might be a solution.