Updated with full details on new bus service, including fares, give in presentation -

The government will be giving an annual subsidy of €6.2 million per year for the operation of the bus service in Malta and Gozo of which €4.1 million will subsidise lower fares for pensioners and students, Transport Minister Austin Gatt said today. The new operators had originally sought a subsidy which was over €1 million higher.

He was speaking at a presentation to mark the conclusion of talks with the new bus service operators Arriva and the Tumas Group. The subsidy, he said, is fixed and lower by 40% compared to previous years.

He said that Maltese ID card holders will pay €1.50 for a day ticket, which drops to 0.93c per day for a seven-day ticket, making it cheaper to buy block tickets. Tourists will pay more. The fares will be locked for three years and will henceforth be adjusted according to the cost of living.

There will be 264 buses of which 185 will be new and 79 refurbished. All will have euro V engines and will be airconditioned.

The number includes 46 flexi-buses for the high-use routes.

The service will operate until 11 p.m. but there will be an all-night service with 14 routes to St Julians.

The minister said there was a six-week period for the former bus drivers to take up a 10% share option in the operation of the new service and the final contract will be signed on November 20..

This, he said, was the first time that Malta would have a bus service governed by a contract outlining obligations. The service starts in July.

The route buses for both Malta and Gozo will also get a new colour scheme - aquamarine - which is the Arriva corporate colour.

The minister also said that a 7-day ticket for the park and ride in Floriana will cost €10 including transport to and from Valletta. Parking at the Park and Ride in Floriana for any amount of timebetween 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. will cost €2.50. Park and rides will also be set up at Marsa and Luxol grounds.

See full details given in today's presentation by clicking the pdf below.