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SHOWCASEMALTA
EXPO 2020 DUBAI
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
A whole new bus ride
In 1990, The Who wrote a song that rings true with many commuters. The Magic Bus speaks of a young lover who daily, catches the public transport to see his beloved. Those were the days. Indeed for today, while orderly queues are encouraged, commuters have electronic assistance on their side to ease the wait for public transport.
E
ssentially, the concept of public transport in Malta has remained the same: a bus takes you from A to B. That, however, is where the similarity with the public transport of the past ends. From bus stops which show you routes and directions, time-tables and safety tips to apps which help you plan the journey and see how far away the next bus is, from contactless card use for payment to actually booking a trip, the Malta Public Transport has taken commuting to a different level.
The bus stop and the bus
Every bus stop has a unique number and name which is displayed on the Bus Stop sign. This enables commuters to identify exactly their desired destination without confusion. Signs also indicate the routes that stop at that particular bus stop, meaning, for commuters, easier route planning. A printed schedule shows the timetables of the routes and some bus stops also have screens showing the final destinations of the next approaching buses and their expected arrival time. The screen at the front of the bus shows only the final destination and route number. Commuters, while encouraged to queue up in an orderly fashion, are also urged by Malta Public Transport not to stand too close to the edge of the pavement. If children are present, they should be supervised at all times. Signalling an approaching bus discretely is acceptable, running or crowding an approaching bus is not. The Malta Public Transport advises that while boarding, respect the queues and give priority to vulnerable people,
