Arriva locks rear doors of bendy buses

Arriva has disabled the rear doors on several bendy buses in what it says is an attempt to discourage passengers from riding without a ticket. However, several drivers told The Times that Arriva had closed the doors until it fixed rear door cameras. The newspaper four days ago highlighted safety concerns about missing safety features, including rear door cameras, on bendy buses. The company did not explain why it blocked off rear doors rather than increase ticket inspectors or simply fine passengers caught without a valid ticket, instead saying the measure was deemed to be “the least disruptive to our passengers’ comfort and to the service”. Transport Malta confirmed that Arriva had consulted it before disabling rear doors, and that the company’s decision stemmed from concerns over ticketing control. Full story in The Times.