Chapter 6 The Malta Bus Service Reform: Implications for Policy from a ‘Natural Experiment’ of Attitudes towards Bus Service Quality and Modal Shift

Purpose To explore people’s attitudes towards bus service quality and bus use. Methodology/approach The study is a natural experiment that uses primary data collected from questionnaires, which were conducted to Maltese residents. The information was collected two months before the bus service reform and one year afterwards. Findings Results cast doubt on whether current policy measures regarding bus service quality are adequate to contribute to a modal shift from car to bus use. Practical implications Provides insight on whether current policy measures are sufficient in order to obtain an increase in bus patronage. Originality/value The case study of the Malta bus service reform provides an opportunity to study people’s attitudes in a quasi-experimental situation. Additionally, the research sheds light on the possible impact that bus service reforms have on people’s attitudes.