A comprehensive guide to the new bus service will be arriving at the doorstep of 160,000 households over the next few days for potential passengers to start planning their travel routes.
Arriva has embarked on its drive to prepare customers for its new public transport system that starts to operate on July 3, launching its customer care call centre, open seven days a week, and its website (www.arriva.com.mt) today.
They mark a “sea change” in terms of accessibility to travel information, according to managing director Keith Bastow.
Through these means, customers can familiarise themselves with the routes and frequency, get information on ticket prices and where to buy them from.
The guide also includes a pull-out map of the colour-coded bus network, and for the first time, Maltese will have access to a timetable, that has been based on internationally recognised formats, on display at bus stops in over 1,800 locations and downloadable from the website.
Bus times have been divided into summer and winter timetables, and will run between 5.30 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The brand-new bus network includes feeder and mainline services, offering more travel possibilities. There will be three stations, in Valletta, Buġibba and Victoria, and interchanges – bus stops that serve more than one route, making it easier for travellers to catch another bus to the next destination. Most will be manned by officials who will direct users to where they want to go.
The new network means it will be easier to travel between towns and villages without having to go to Valletta, Mr Bastow pointed out.
Gozo’s new network has 10 routes, running every hour in each direction, except between Victoria and Mġarr, which will operate every 30 minutes.
Other new services include four airport express routes, with buses that resolve the issue of limited luggage capacity and offer a faster journey; and night buses that operate between 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
A wide range of tickets are on offer – from two-hour to one-day and seven-day options – which will cost holders of a Maltese ID card the discounted price of €1.30, €1.50 and €6.50 respectively.
There is also the option of a 30- and 90-day Arriva Saver Card, which offers significant discounts and is aimed at frequent users, costing €26 and €72 respectively. It is easy to top up at ticket vending machines, Arriva ticket offices, online and via the customer care centre, and the user simply scans the card when boarding the bus to activate it.
Gozitans can get a 30-day ticket for €10, while child fares, Kartanzjan rates and student discounts are also available.
Anyone without a valid ticket can be liable to a penalty fare of €10, said Mr Bastow, adding that the public would have to get used to this for the benefit of everyone.
The fare structure has been frozen for three years and prices cannot increase until the period is up, he said.
Coming soon is real-time passenger information, as well as a journey planner, whereby customers can key in their origin and destination and get their route options.
Arriva is also carrying out road shows in towns and villages to help people get to grips with the new system.
Mr Bastow said that despite its achievements, all would fail “if the public does not take up its part of the deal and plan ahead to be ready to use the new public transport services”.
He was optimistic that Transport Malta would complete the infrastructure necessary by July 3. “In the event of something not being completely finished, it would not interfere in our operation,” he said.
As for its new depot, after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority refused a planning permit, Mr Bastow said Arriva had a contingency plan, which would be up and running by the required date. But he would not disclose where it was and said the Żebbuġ option would have been the best solution.
Arriva was disappointed at Mepa’s decision and was discussing whether to appeal.
Bus users can call customer care on 2122 2000 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., said Mr Bastow, adding that it would be fully manned although he did not know what the response would be.