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No.4 bus drives into protests over delays
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The No.4 bus is fast becoming famous - for being late!
Some time ago we published a letter about a one-hour delay one morning, and there have been subsequent delays. Yesterday afternoon, there was another long delay.
Bus users have reported the matter to us. There may well be many other instances which we have not received complaints about from the public.
Said a complainant yesterday: "I was at the boulevard bus stop from 4.35pm and a No. 4 bus southwards did not appear until 5.20pm."
Waiting members of the public started complaining to the driver of the bus that arrived at 5.20pm, who obviously was not at fault as he had arrived when he should. It is reported to us that the driver picked up the phone and reported the matter, presumably to the bus company's headquarters.
It would appear that the company does not have enough buses to keep to their schedules. When a bus driver is absent, say out sick, it appears that there are no replacement drivers. Thus, it would appear that there are not enough buses and not enough drivers.
Delays are reportedly quite common. The bus users who were incensed yesterday afternoon were also making references to other delays on other occasions.
Another complaint is that buses on many occasions are jammed packed. Unless action is taken to remedy all these problems, the idea of using the buses may begin to lose favour.
This bus service cost the tax-payer over ?3 million in buses. The last available accounts shows losses. The accounts are presented to Parliament but it appears that accounts for a number of years have not been made public.
A point also being made is that the No.4 run is quite cumbersome, from Both World to Rosia with detours at Europort and Alameda. The buses are scheduled to arrive every 20 minutes.
Another bus, the No.3, has a more direct route, from the frontier to Europa Point. It runs every 15 minutes, according to the schedule.
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