Scheduled Bus Service in Malta

The route bus service in Malta comprises of 508 buses, all of which are privately owned, in most cases by the drivers themselves. There are, approximately 400,bus owners who have organised themselves into a collective, the Public Transport Association. The Association is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the service and for handling tickets sales. The income is shared amongst bus owners, fortnightly.

The fleet,deep yellow in colour with an orange band, are a collection of different models and hybrids. Some were locally built and others were imported second hand from the United Kingdom. Some of the imported coaches were built for a colder climate. Although these coach-type buses were imported in the eighties, it was only in 1995, following an agreement reached between the former Public Transport Authority and the Public Transport Association, that these buses had their sealed windows replaced by sliding windows. Consequently, for many years, the Maltese public had to endure the discomfort of commuting in buses which lacked a ventilation system suitable for the hot summer months.

The first public transport vehicle in Malta was a Thornycraft 17-seat single-decker, chassis No 375, imported to the island in 1905. Some 300 of the present route bus fleet have been on the road for more than 35 years.

Several studies have been commissioned by the Transport Authority in the past years to examine the feasibility of replacing old buses with new ones. The Government has bound itself to subsidise owners who opt to replace their vehicles on a voluntary basis.

The Board of the former Public Transport Authority decided, in 1995, that the new buses would be super-low floor. Two operators ordered five such 45-seater vehicles, one is an Optare-Excel type, two are East Lancashire-Dennis and two Dennis Plaxtons.

Following this, more low floor buses were imported in the years 2003 and 2004, so that the total amount of low floor buses thatreplaced the old ones amounted to 132. This gave a much better image to the Public Transport sector operating in Malta, where the new emission friendly(with Euro 3 engines)vehicles provide to the service.

Route buses operate on a day on, day off basis, hence some 254 vehicles are tasked to operate the daily scheduled bus services. They are identified by route numbers. A day's work,normally, can last some 12 hours. On their day 'off', route buses either perform unscheduled private work or carry out maintenance. During the peak summer months, when the number of passengers increases, additional buses are tasked in to provide extra services. The number of trips performed daily by buses on the scheduled services is approximately 3,700, covering some 80 routes most of which terminate at the main terminus at Valletta. There are also direct services between other towns where a substanial demand for transit exists.

Direct links are established between Bugibba and Mdina via Mosta and Ta' Qali Crafts Village, between Sliema and Mdina via St Julian's, Mosta and Ta' Qali Crafts Village, between Sliema and Bugibba, between Sliema and Cirkewwa via Bugibba, between Bugibba and Cirkewwa, between Sliema and Ghajn Tuffieha, between Bugibba and Ghajn Tuffieha, between Bugibba and Marsaxlokk, between Sliema and Marsaxlokk (both via Cottonera) and between Valletta and Wied iz-Zurrieq via Zurrieq or Qrendi. There are also direct night services on weekends from Paceville to several towns and villages.

The Malta Transport Authority employs approximatly 95-Transport Assistants working on a shift basis. Their main duty is to control and record the departures of buses from the various termini according to schedules.

Although the number of scheduled services has increased over the years, even with the introduction of several direct or express services, the demand is a changing one. The country's urban development over recent years and changes in the travelling patterns of the public have necessitated, and will continue to necessitate, the introduction of new routes and changes or extensions in existing ones.

Photos

This section will present the various types of Malta buses that were used throughout the ages.

Passengers alighting from a bus

Bus in front of Mosta dome

Bus at Bugibba

Modern bus shelter

Typical Maltese bus

Bus Stop sign

Bus at bus stop

Bus shelter at Malta International Airport

Typical bus shelter