MALTA PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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.

Essentially, 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,

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Easily downloadable, this app enables the commuter to plan the journey and to see where the next bus is coming from. The app automatically pinpoints the location on the map, even with a zoom facility.

and board the bus from the front doors: the middle doors are for exiting only. Buses are equipped with easy access facilities for those with mobility issues. The Malta Public Transport insists on safety and is strict on Covid-19 restrictions on buses including the use of face masks at all times and tendering the exact fare to the driver if not making a contactless payment.

THE BUS TICKET

Here too, digitisation has improved the public transport experience. The ticket may be bought on the bus by paying the driver directly or through the use of a credit card effecting a contactless payment. The wiser version is the use of the Tallinja Card issued by Malta Public Transport. Once placed on the terminal, a green light confirms the transaction and the commuter can step past the driver’s cabin. Buses are equipped with free WIFI and all passengers may connect to it

TALLINJA APP

One of the most helpful tools for the commuter is the Tallinja App. Easily downloadable, this app enables the commuter to plan the journey and to see when the next bus is coming. The app automatically pinpoints the location on the map, even with a zoom facility. This is the departure point. When the destination point is entered in the appropriate field, the commuter is offered options on how to reach that destination. Once the commuter chooses, the route will be visualised and all the commuter has to do is to accept the choice. This journey may also be set as favourite, particularly if the commuter plans to make this trip multiple times.

TALLINJA CARD – A RANGE OF FACILITIES

A Tallinja Card allows users to make cashless payments on different modes of public transport and travel at reduced rates. Cardholders simply tap their cards on the reader while they are boarding, and the user’s account is credited accordingly. The cards are personalised and cannot be transferred to other passengers. There are five types of Tallinja Card depending on the users’ eligibility: the Adult Card, the Child Card, the Student Card, the Gozo Residents Card, the Concession Card. Users can benefit from discounted rates when paying with the Tallinja Card at Tallinja Bike Stations. The Concession Tallinja Card is available for Kartanzjan Holders, an holders of EU Disability Card with ‘MT’ mark issued by the Commissions for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Journey information is stored on the cardholders’ online account and the reader does not issue a physical ticket or receipt

Registrations for a Tallinja Card can be made online and the Tallinja Card may be connected to the Tallinja App. The Tallinja Card can be topped up online, through the Tallinja App, at Malta Public Transport ticket offices and Malta Post branches, or over the phone.

Apart from bus travel, the Tallinja Card can be used to pay for trips with other modes of land and sea travel such as cycling, the use of the Barrakka lift and the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo operated by both Gozo Fast Ferry and Virtu Ferries Gozo. Payment is made while boarding the vessel or as instructed by the members of the crew. The Valletta Ferry Services crossing to and from Sliema and Cottonera also accept the Tallinja Card. Payment is made while boarding the vessel.

Passengers who plan to use public transport frequently during a short period may avail themselves of a travel card that suits their needs. There are four non-personalised travel cards: the Explore Card, the Explore Plus Meep Card, the Explore Flex Card, and the 12 Day Journey Card. These offer varied facilities ranging from all-inclusive travel on day routes to discounted fares on all routes and services.

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Apart from bus travel, the Tallinja Card can be used to pay for trips with other modes of land and sea travel such as cycling, the use of the Barrakka lift and the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo operated by both Gozo Fast Ferry and Virtu Ferries Gozo.

TALLINJA ON DEMAND - BOOKING A TRIP

Tallinja On Demand is a pre-booked transport service operating between various different bus stops across the allocated service area. Manged through the Tallinja App, users can select their preferred pick-up and drop-off bus stops at the required date and time, and the system schedules the trip. This service too, is available on the Tallinja App and the fares for this service are very reasonable. Once the booking is confirmed, passengers will be notified of the bus number picking them up and the system will remind them of the approaching vehicle at regular intervals. n

For more information log on to https://www.publictransport.com.mt/

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