Modern Maltese buses are just so…um…normal! They are comfortable, they have aircon and they don’t break your bones … but they also have no character. No tourist will ever buy a model of a modern Maltese bus as a souvenir to take home with them. Yet the old ones persist!

When we think of Malta's buses, we inevitably remember the beloved (now no-longer) vintage buses. It’s already been many years since we last saw those marvellous, epic vehicles populating the roads, complete with the unique public transport experience they offered. While the ride was bone-shaking, sweat-drenched in summer, freezing in winter and passengers were at the mercy of some crazy bus driver, it was always entertaining and you’d come away from your trip with an amusing story to tell.

Most will remember Malta's buses in yellow and orange. That's quite a sunny, good-natured colour for a public bus, wouldn’t you agree? Previously, between 1973 and 1995, they were a light green colour. And before that, and since the 1930s, they ha come in all kinds of tones (to overcome illiteracy) - red, purple, blue...all depending on the locality they served. And, this tradition persisted until eventually bus numbers came into place.

The modern Arriva buses landed on the island in 2011, ending the era of the vintage bus which had lasted for over a century, since 1905. When the newer models were introduced, the oldest bus still serving the public was from 1938! These more modern buses, which still operate in Malta today, under the Malta Transport Authority (Arriva pulled out in 2013) originally came in aquamarine and were later transformed and re-painted in the same green colour many remember from their childhood - that tone which belonged to the traditional bus of the islands.

But, the colours of those older models were not their only delightful feature. Most had ornate detailing, hand-painted onto the body as well as other kitschy quirks. You see, each bus belonged to its driver, not to a company. He drove it every day. It was his pride and joy, and, therefore, each bus had a great deal of the personal put into it.

Traditional Maltese bus decoration consisted of different designs and typography. This included designs in paint; passenger messages on the inside, and the exterior of the bus; and the names of patron saints, song lyrics and slogans featuring in its nooks and crannies. There were also plenty of chrome and accessories, such as flags and good luck symbols, like the horseshoe.

Indeed, inside the bus, there were more personal touches. Whether it was a religious icon, family photos, words of wisdom, the driver’s personal motto, plastic flowers, trimmings and hangings...the choice for decorating the dashboard and the space behind the driver’s seat was as individual as it got.

In fact, the bus driver felt so ‘at home’ in his bus that he would sometimes forget that he was on duty. He might well leave his passengers waiting inside a bus with the engine running at a bus stop while he crossed over to the shop to buy himself a sandwich and coca-cola or even to relieve himself against a wall! Oh dear!

No wonder bus drivers brought upon themselves the reputation of being uncouth. Despite the religious icons and the standard verbum dei caro factum est (the word of God became flesh) painted on their buses, most drivers were quick to blaspheme and didn’t hesitate to shortchange tourists. They didn't even appear to wear a uniform.

Yet, everybody feels nostalgic for the days of Malta's traditional buses. While, today, in the new buses, you'll get a smoother, more comfortable ride, and the drivers are better mannered, we will always shed a nostalgic tear for those bone-shaking vintage Maltese buses.