Still waiting for promised bus shelters

In 2018 it was reported that out of approximately 2,000 bus stops, there were more than two thirds uncovered by some form of shelter. That is in the region of 1,400 uncovered bus stops. We were reassured by the competent Authorities that 20 more should have been added with 60 more promised for this year. This announcement must have been very well-received by the thousands of commuters.

Yet by the end of another scorching summer, and the arrival of the wet season that has already caused havoc in many of the streets of Malta and Gozo, not a single new shelter with adequate protection from the elements has been created. This is no reassurance to the commuters who opt to travel using public transport. This is not the right way to encourage the public to leave their cars at home.

On the contrary cars are still selling and congesting our roads at an alarming rate.

The Association for Consumer Rights fails to understand how Transport Malta is shunning their responsibility to provide adequate cover for their passengers. In a Press Release published in The Malta Independent on Sunday earlier this year, the ACR expressed hope that the promised new bus shelters would arrive in time to provide the much-needed protection rather than electronic adverts, much as they look attractive! It is now November 2019 and no sign of any work on this project is being prioritised. The Association encourages aggrieved consumers to express their disappointment by contacting Transport Malta, by writing in the Press and by joining consumer organisations such as the ACR(Malta). ACR(Malta) is also on Facebook.

■ Public elections Officer Association for Consumer Rights, Malta (ACR)