Driving the country round the bend

Since its inception, the public transport service in Malta has fallen short of people’s expectations. Transport Minister Joe Mizzi wants to change this for the better, but tells Kurt Sansone that improvements will come at a cost to taxpayers. Bendy buses are still off the roads. What is the current state of play? I still have no certification in hand that tells me they are safe, if they are safe. While it is important that passengers, bus drivers and pedestrians are safe, I want to ensure that the public transport service is maintained. But my hands are tied by the contract because it stipulates in black and white that Arriva can use bendy buses to run their service. I took the necessary precautions by suspending bendy buses until they are inspected and they will remain so until I am assured they are safe and adjustments made to render them so. Whatever happens though, we have made it clear with Arriva that if bendy buses return to the roads they should be phased out. Why are you using the words “if they are safe”? Because I am not yet convinced they are safe. But do you believe bendy buses have an intrinsic mechanical defect? I don’t know, but based on the [technical] report the...