I sympathise with Ms Anna Agius (The Sunday Times, July 11) regarding the need to start a new bus route to Hal Far, especially as the workforce there has increased dramatically.

I cannot understand why the Public Transport Association are still dragging their feet about opening new routes such as this one, especially since, in the last few days, they have been organising unscheduled trips from language schools in the Sliema/St Julian's area.

Route buses are being parked within metres of language schools and are loading students (at normal bus fares and not as direct route fare) to the detriment of other public transport vehicles such as minibuses and coaches and taxis, whose only source of income in the summer period is foreign students.

Besides, they are even providing the services of bus inspectors, hence leaving other "popular" routes with no inspectors. As far as I know the public is already paying for the ATP's subsidies. These subsidies are meant to improve the service of existing scheduled bus routes, and not just as a way of financing other unscheduled bus routes which are not in compliance. The Public Transport Authority has often been urged to take action but so far it has done nothing. We trust it will take all necessary measures without delay.