Buses, numbers, people

Abstract

In this article, I argue that while Malta's bus service has improved significantly—with better connectivity, air-conditioned buses, and free travel for residents—we also need to understand the realities that statistics alone cannot capture: overcrowding, accessibility, comfort, reliability, the experiences of drivers, and the everyday journeys of commuters. As a sociologist and daily bus commuter, I suggest that transport policy should be informed not only by operational data but also by Social Impact Assessment and qualitative research that places people's experiences at the centre of decision-making