As an iconic feature of the country, the classic Malta bus features on several tourist-related items. As the main mode of public transport across the country, the Malta bus was also used by many tourists to visit the different parts of the country. While newer Malta buses were progressively introduced that followed modern standard bus designs found elsewhere, customisation and detailing had continued for these buses as well.
The first buses were imported to Malta in 1905 from Thornycroft in England by Edward Agius of Ed T Agius Ltd (coal shipping). He formed the Malta Motor Omnibus and Transport Syndicate Ltd with his brother-in-law Joseph Muscat to operate the first bus service between Valletta and St Julians. As early as 1920, bus manufacturing was taking place on the island, with local carpenters and mechanics constructing bus body coachwork for local transport companies.
In the 1920s, operation of buses on public transport routes was subject to open competition between operators, and as such, buses used were not necessarily well turned out. With the formation of the Traffic Control Board in 1931, greater regulation and discipline of the system meant that operators began to upgrade the appearance of their buses. Since then, the tradition of showing pride in the vehicles has been maintained, through decoration and customisation of the buses.
Since reform in the 1970s, bus operation was centralised under a worker cooperative, the Public Transport Association, or Assoċjazzjoni Trasport Pubbliku (ATP), in 1977. This association became responsible for the centralised day-to-day operational management of bus services, producing a unified timetable roster and basic livery, although this did not change the ownership arrangements for the buses. The overall transport system was regulated under the Malta Transport Authority (ADT).
In December 2003, in light of over 100 buses being scrapped, a government subsidised tour bus service using traditional Malta buses, as the "VisitMalta bus", was set up by the tourism and transport ministries, although this was withdrawn in April 2005.[1]
While the buses generally remain popular among tourists and nostalgic Maltese, the original system was infamous and unpopular with some parts of the local population who considered the service as inefficient and polluting, driven by drivers who were sometimes very impolite to passengers. This resulted in a significant increase in private car ownership among the population, and today only one in ten trips are made via public transportation.[2] One extreme case to note occurred on 29 June 2010, when a driver attempted to forcibly pull a Spanish tourist out of her seat and off the bus following a row over seven cents in change.[3]
Malta buses on public transport duties were seen in high concentrations at the main City Gate Square bus terminus at Valletta surrounding the Triton Fountain, from where the vast majority of scheduled routes departed. Other major centres of traffic included Buġibba, St Paul's Bay, Sliema and Mosta.
The transport system in Malta is small but extensive, and the islands' domestic system of public transport is reliant on buses and taxis, although there were both a railway and a tramway in the past.
Buses are the primary method of public transport for the Maltese Islands and have been in operation there since 1905, offering a cheap and frequent service to many parts of Malta and Gozo. The vast majority of buses on Malta depart from a terminus in Valletta. Malta's buses carried over 40 million passengers in 2015.[10]
The traditional classic Maltese buses, which were in operation until 2011 and still provide tourist-oriented services to this day, have become visitor attractions in their own right due to their uniqueness, and are depicted on many Maltese advertisements to promote tourism as well as on gifts and merchandise for tourists. Prior to their reform there were approximately 500 buses in public transit service, most of them privately owned by the bus drivers themselves, and operated to a unified timetable set by the transport authority. On any one day, half the bus fleet worked on the public transport network (called "route buses"), while the other half were used for private tours and school transport.
In July 2011 a new public transport network was installed by Transport Malta (the regulating authority) and on 3 July 2011 it started being operated by Arriva Malta, which was owned by Arriva (67%) and Tumas Group (33%), operating as the sole operator on a 10-year contract and running a new 264-strong fleet of buses in a turquoise and cream livery. Unlike the system it replaced, the buses were owned and operated by a single company with the drivers working as employees of Arriva Malta.
In 2008, the Halcrow report[25] suggested the government to reintroduce two tram lines in Malta: Valletta to Sliema along the coast road, and Valletta to Ta' Qali. The report was largely overlooked, as the government focused on reforming the bus transport. In 2016 the government announced a new study on reintroducing the tram.[26] The new study, which is expected by late 2020, should also look at metro and monorail options.[27]
Unfortunately with traffic, rush hour and the small roads it took 2 hours to go from Malta airport to Mellieha! Typically driving there directly would be approximately 40 minutes. This was the express airport bus which had limited stops. Malta public transport can be very slow so expect delays and be patient.
Beyond improvements to air pollution and traffic congestion, advocates say the free-fare movement helps to position transportation as a public good, ensuring more equitable access to low-income riders.
Bigger European countries and cities have begun experimenting with similarly inspired measures. Germany offered nearly-free countrywide travel passes (at 9 euros per month) over the summer, as it faces lawsuits stemming from its high levels of air pollution. Austria launched an ongoing 3-euro-a-day pass for national transport last year, while public officials in Paris have expressed ambitions of making citywide public transport free by 2026.
Bus tickets can be purchased on the spot from the bus driver, but there are also travel cards available which will save you money in the long run. The tallinja Student card is the best option. It is a personalised card which you can use on the public transport network, both in Malta and in Gozo. All holders of a valid personalised Tallinja Card will be able to travel for free on board all Malta Public Transport buses operating day routes, night routes and special services. Register for your tallinja card to start travelling.
This is a goal eCabs shares with cities around the world, and with good reason: Because reducing personal car use holds the potential to reduce the negative impacts of transport and unlock our urban spaces.
Our business relationship with Peppin is on a daily basis as they are in charge of transporting our flight crew during various times of the day. Punctuality and high standards are a must in our field and we find Peppin to be most reliable in fulfilling their contracted duties.
The Ministry for Urban Development and Roads is responsible for the following transport related authorities in Malta:
- Coordination of Urban Development Projects
- Malta Transport Authority (MTA).
Bearing in mind the size of the country, there are limited research activities in transport, besides the participation in the 6th Framework Programme and other EU funded programmes such as COST and CORDIS. Therefore, research in transport is mostly integrated in planning studies and surveys rather than under a formal research programme. Related work is much focused on the contribution of the MTA for the Structure Plan Review which is currently being worked out. The Malta Transport Authority is specifically involved, together with others, in elaborating the Plan Review due to its co-ordinating duties for the Maltese transport sectors.
*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
Only trained shipping professionals should handle the overseas transport of large machinery or oversize items. Heavy-duty transport equipment and cutting-edge shipping technology are required to convey such a massive load internationally. Because of this, you can rely on A1 Auto Transport for all of your transportation requirements.
There are two more shipping options offered through A1. Both of these transport methods are open air services. The roll on/roll off method is the cheapest service we offer but it requires your equipment or vehicle to drive onto and off of the boat with the help of a ramp. Our other open air service, the lift on/lift off method is available to those with crated equipment or cargo that must be lifted onto the ship with the help of a crane.
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