Arriva explains new routes, adjustments

Arriva has given further details about the latest updates to the routes network, which will come into force on Sunday, May 27 when the buses will switch to the summer schedules.

The changes to the network were implemented following discussions between Transport Malta and Local councils around Malta and Gozo, the result of which were inputted in the discussions between TM and Arriva with an aim towards implementing solutions that cater for the growing and changing needs of both Arriva’s customers and the public in general.

Arriva explained that this is the fifth update to the routes network which Arriva operates, and will see the introduction of 19 new routes, 13 in Malta and 6 in Gozo, 42 revisions to existing routes and the replacement/cancellation of 8 routes (7 in Malta and 1 in Gozo).

Every day Arriva buses will be covering some 73,000 kms in Malta and over 3,000 kms in Gozo, amounting to a figure in excess of 27 million kilometres a year, providing an unprecedented level of service to the ever-growing number of bus patrons in the Maltese Islands, the company said.

The changes coming into force on May 27, also take on board feedback received by commuters and the public in general, and will see Arriva customers enjoy services such as the new Route 15 linking Ta’ Xbiex and Valletta in both directions; the new route 36 which will provide residents of Għargħur with a link to Mater Dei and Valletta; a new service for the residents of Qajjenza (new Route 85) and the new Route 93 designed to serve the area of the old Jerma Palace hotel in Marsaskala; as well as the new Route 42 which replaces the old route X6 providing a twice-per-hour service from Cirkewwa to Valletta, and which along with Route 41 will provide a bus every 15 minutes from Cirkewwa to Valletta, and also serve Birkirkara, Fleur De Lys and Hamrun.

Revisions to existing routes will see Arriva passengers benefit from a revised Route 21 which will provide a “local” Sliema service to Valletta serving inner parts of Sliema such as Savoy and Dingli Street along with Sliema Ferries, without going to San Gwann. A revised Route 91 will serve Triq il-Qaliet in Marsaskala as well St Thomas Bay, while Routes 92 and 93 will be diverted via Zabbar bypass to make service more efficient and faster. Route 120 will now take a more direct route through Fgura from Zabbar to Mater Dei, going directly from Marsa to Mater Dei, thus considerably reducing journey time.

For the first time, residents of Swatar will be able to benefit from a service to Valletta thanks to a revised Route 123, while Routes 202 and 203 have been re-routed to provide better links to the Crafts Village at Ta’ Qali, which will also be served by a revised Route X3.

A revision of routes 204, 206 and 210 will see residents of Tarxien and Paola benefit from a bus every 20 minutes to Mater Dei, while Route 2 and Route 3 will now be serving San Ġwann T’Għuxa, Ta’ Ħawli and then Cafe Riche, thus providing a more frequent service to commuters in the area, a new service to the Ta’ Ħawli area.

May 27 will also see all Arriva services to the Mater Dei Hospital heading directly to main entrace of the hospital, and also serving University Main Gate on their way out (thus, serving both Sptar and Mater Dei bus stops). Other revisions will also see less buses going through Mrabat Street.

While Arriva services in Gozo enjoy a very high rate of satisfaction by commuters, some changes will also be made to the routes network on the island, with the aim of prividing even higher levels of service. New routes will be introduced to serve the San Blas area in Nadur (Route 304), and offer more direct trips to Marsalforn (Route 310), Dwejra (Route 311), San Lawrenza (Route 312) and Santa Lucija (Route 313). On the other hand, new Route 323 will operate a circular service in Rabat, serving also Xewkija centre.

A number of revisions have also been made to journey times, and timetables, as well as to the number of journeys made on some routes to strenghten services in particular areas, at particular times of the day and make service more efficient, thus meeting the demand levels more effectively and efficiently, particularly at peak times.

Arriva said some routes – which proved not to be the ideal way of serving customers – are being cancelled and replaced by or fused into other services. Cancelled routes are: 23, 34, 103, 104, 232, 244, X6, and 321. Route 23 has been replaced by route 225; Route 34 by Route 33 and 233; Route 103 has been replaced by Route 35; Route 104 by Route 36; Route 232 by route 37; Route 244 by Route 38, Route X6 by Route 42; and Route 321 in Gozo by route 323.

ROUTE CHANGES IN DETAIL

Summer Schedule (27th May 2012)

Route Number	Changes
1	REVISED ROUTE Will no longer pass through Triq Kordin, as is now diverted through Paola square. Heading to Valletta, Route 1 will pass straight from Għajn Dwieli tunnel to Triq San Franġisk, without going through San Ġwann t’Għuxa.
2	REVISED ROUTE Will no longer pass through Triq Kordin, as is now diverted through Paola square. Heading to Valletta, Route 2 will exit from Għajn Dwieli tunnel and divert to San Ġwann t’Għuxa. From there this route will head straight through Verdala, serving Ta’ Ħawli and exiting from Triq Dwardu toward Birgu (Café Riche). Heading back, Route 2 will pass from ix-Xatt ta’ Bormla towards San Ġwann t’Għuxa.
3	REVISED ROUTE Route 3 will not pass through Triq Kordin but is instead diverted through Paola Square. From Birgu (Café Riche) Route 3 will divert up to Triq Santa Liberata then to Rinella and Smart City. On the inward trip this route will pass from Smart City to Ta’ Bighi and down to ix-Xatt tal-Kalkara. Route 3 will not serve Xgħajra anymore, which will now be served by the new Route 94. These changes will provide the area with a direct bus to Valletta and help reduce crowding on buses at the start of the journey.
12	REVISED ROUTE Outbound trips on Route 12 will be diverted through St Paul’s Bay and will then enter Buġibba through Triq Toni Bajjada and head towards Gillieru. This way Route 12 will serve more areas within St Paul’s Bay and Bugibba before heading to Sliema via St Julian’s.
13	No change
14	NEW ROUTE Route 14 will offer a service from Valletta to Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, following the same route as Route 12 but terminating near the ic-cream kiosk in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. This new service will provide extra journeys between Sliema and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq to help relieve overcrowding.
15	NEW ROUTE From Valletta to Sliema Ferries passing via Ta’ Xbiex in both directions. On the outbound journey this route will serve Triq il-Prinċipessa Margerita in Ta’ Xbiex.
21	REVISED ROUTE Route 21 will no longer serve Mosta and San Ġwann, and will instead serve parts of Sliema going from Valletta directly to Msida, Gżira, Savoy, Rudolph Street, Dingli Street and then heading towards Sliema Ferries, thus offering residents of Sliema and commuters in the area a “local service” to and from Valletta
22	No change
23	Cancelled and replaced by Route 225.
24	REVISED ROUTE From Valletta this route will be diverted down to Pietà and Msida, without passing through Triq Diċembru 13 and Santa Venera tunnels. Route 24 will also divert from Ta’ Giorni towards Mrabat, Triq D’Argens and then Kappara roundabout.
31	No change to Route; Frequency of evening services will be stepped up to every 15 mins for the summer.
32	No change
33	REVISED ROUTE Route 33 from will divert from Valletta towards Ħamrun, serving Mile End, Kunċizzjoni and then continue towards Mater Dei, serving both Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) as well as Mater Dei interchange (University Main Gate).
34	Cancelled and replaced by Route 233
35	REVISED ROUTE This route will be diverted from Mater Dei Hospital to San Ġwann Industrial Estate and then to Għargħur. From there the route has been extended to the Birguma area, and will then proceed through Triq San Pawl to Naxxar Square, Sgħajtar area and the Mosta Rotunda. The route will also serve the Santa Margerita estate, the MCAST College at Tarġa and also Bidnija. This route will cover the cancelled route 103.
36	NEW ROUTE Along with Route 35, Route 36 provides residents of Għargħur with “their own” service to Mater Dei and Valletta, covering the cancelled Route 104. Route 36 will go from Valletta to Pietà, Msida, Mater Dei, San Gwann (Industrial Estate), the Tal-Balal area, Għargħur and terminate at Naxxar Church.
37	NEW ROUTE This route will replace the cancelled route 232, and extend to Armier, serving the MCAST at Tarġa, the Santa Margerita area, Naxxar, Mater Dei (both main entrance and univeristy main gate) and then proceed to Valletta.
38	NEW ROUTE From Valletta, Route 38 will serve Pietà, Msida, Mater Dei, Birkirkara Bypass, Mosta Technopark, Santa Margerita Estate, the MCAST at Tarġa Gap, the are of Żokrija, Żebbiegħ and Mġarr.
41	No change
42	REVISED ROUTE Route 42 will replace the cancelled Route X6, serving Mellieha Village and St Paul’s Bay as well. This route will also pass through Fleur de Lys and Ħamrun (as the X6 used to do). Together with Route 41, this route will provide a bus every 15 minutes from Ċirkewwa to Valletta, ensuring a more frequent service for commuters in the area and commuters who ferry between Gozo and Malta
43	No change
44	REVISED ROUTE Route 44 will has been extended from Mġarr to provide a bus service to residents and commuters from Manikata, twice per hour.
51	No change
52	No change
53	REVISED ROUTE This route will no longer enter Tal-Virtù estate through the narrow Triq Tal-Virtù but will instead use the more direct and accessible Triq Carlo Fiamingo. Extra journeys will be operated on Routes 51, 52 and 53 during the morning peak hours, with time tables on all route revised to offer a more reliable 10 minute headway to Valletta. Evening and Sunday Services will be increased for the summer.
54	REVISED ROUTE This route has been extended to serve the Santa Katerina area in Attard. Timetables for Route 54 have also been revised to make service more reliable.
55	REVISED ROUTE This route will exit from Balzan through Triq Ġuże Bonniċi, proceeding on to Triq Balaguer, Triq Antonio Micallef and onto Valley Road in Birkirkara. Route 55 will no longer pass through Triq L-imdejqa and Triq Birbal.
61	No change to route. Extra journies will be operated during the morning peak times, with service running every 20 minutes. Sunday service timetables have also been improved.
62	REVISED ROUTE Route 62 has been extended to serve Ħesri area (near the football ground).
63	No change
71	REVISED ROUTE One journey per hour will extend from Żurrieq to Blue Grotto, Ħagar Qim and Lapsi, thus providing a direct link from Valletta to these tourist attractions.
72	No change
73	No change
81	No change One journey per hour will operate as Route 85 and go to Marsaxlokk via Qajjenza, thus providing a service to Valletta for residents of Qajjenza in Birzebbuġa. On Sundays extra journeys will be made from Valletta to Marsaxlokk (as Bus 86)
82	No change
83	No change to route. Service will be doubled to provide a bus every 30 minutes during the day.
84	REVISED ROUTE This route has been extended from Tal-Barrani to Bulebel, proceeding then onto Triq iċ-Ċawsli to serve Ġebel San Martin area. Services will be doubled to provide a bus every 30 mins during the day
85	NEW ROUTE This route will follows the same route as Route 81 until Bir id-Deheb, and then divert through Triq Għar Dalam to serve the area of Qajjenza and continue towards Marsaxlokk. The journey will terminate in Marsaxlokk behind the school on Triq l-Arznell (similar to Route 81).
91	REVISED ROUTE This route is extended to serve Triq il-Qaliet before it terminates at Marsaskala Interchange. Service will run every 15 minutes.
92	REVISED ROUTE This route will be diverted through Marsaskala Bypass to provide a link to Zonqor area, and will no longer pass through Zabbar.
93	NEW ROUTE This route has been designed to provide a service to Triq is-Salini and the area of the old Jerma Palace Hotel in Marsaskala. It will pass directly from the Marsaskala Bypass, serving Fgura and Paola.
94	NEW ROUTE This route is designed to serve Xgħajra, via Zabbar. It will also provide a service to the St Peter’s area in Xghajra, and will pass from Paola and Fgura. Route 94 provides a direct service to Valletta for residents of Xghajra, and connects with Route 124 to the Cottonera area.
101	No change to route Service frequency to Cirkewwa and Gnejna Bay will be reduced during the early morning and late evening hours.
102	No change to route. Service frequency to Cirkewwa and Gnejna Bay will be reduced during the early morning and late evening hours.
103	Cancelled and replaced by Route 35
104	*Cancelled and replaced by Route 36*
106	No change
109	REVISED ROUTE From Siġġiewi terminus this route will be diverted to Triq N Saura, and then proceed directly to the Bypass (Triq Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi). For summer the route has been extended from Dar tal-Providenza to Għar Lapsi. Route 109 will also links Rabat and Baħrija (replacing Route 205)
110	REVISED ROUTE On the journey from Sliema Ferries to Marsa Park & Ride, Route 110 will be extended to serve Dingli Street and St Mary Street, thus providing a ‘quasi’ Sliema Circular bus.
117	REVISED ROUTE This route is extended to serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate).
118	REVISED ROUTE This route is extended to serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate).
119	No change
120	REVISED ROUTE Route 120 will follow a more direct Route through Fgura, and then from Marsa P&R it will proceed directly to MATER DEI, and will no longer be serving Santa Venera, Fleur de Lys, Birkirkara and Ta’ Paris. This will greatly shorten journey times for commuters. This route will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate), before it proceeds to San Ġwann.
122	No change
123	REVISED ROUTE From Fleur de Lys, route 123 will be re-routed to serve Birkirkara Interchange, Swatar and then proceed to Mater Dei where it serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate). Route 123 replaces Route 120 and provides a bus to Valletta for Swatar residents for the first time.
124	REVISED ROUTE This route will start serving Zabbar center and will no longer be passing through Marsaskala Bypass.
130	*NEW ROUTE* This route has been reinstated following the completion of road works in the area, and will serve the Valletta Waterfront area as well as the cruise liner terminal. Route 130 will will depart from Castille, passing through Floriana P&R areas 2 & 3, then down to Marsa, serving Xatt l-Għassara tal-Għeneb towards the Cruise Liner Terminal. The return journey to Castille will be more direct, passing through Triq il-Kurċifiss. Route 130 will operate every 30 minutes.
132	No change
133	No change
135	REVISED ROUTE This route is extended to serve first MATER DEI main entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve MATER DEI INTERCHANGE.
201	No change
202	REVISED ROUTE Route 202 will be re-routed to serve Ta’ Qali, passing by the new American Embassy and providing a link between Sliema/St Julian’s and the Crafts Village. It will no longer be serving Warda Interchange. This route will serve Sliema Ferries and St Julian’s on both inward and outward journeys, and has also been extended to serve Pembroke Park & Ride.
203	REVISED ROUTE Route 203 will no longer enter Tal-Virtù estate through the narrow Triq Tal-Virtù but will instead use the more direct and accessible Triq Carlo Fiamingo. It will be re-routed to serve Ta’ Qali, passing by the new American Embassy and providing a link between Sliema/St Julian’s and the Crafts Village. It will no longer be serving Warda Interchange. This route will serve Sliema Ferries and St Julian’s on both inward and outward journeys, and has also been extended to serve Pembroke Park & Ride.
204	REVISED ROUTE This route will now be serving MARSA Park & Ride and Paola, passing through Tarxien and following Triq il-Knisja towards Bulebel. Like all Mater Dei Routes, Route 204 will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate). Routes 204, 206 and 210 will all follow a common route through Tarxien and Paola, thus providing those areas with a bus every 20 minutes to Mater Dei.
205	REVISED ROUTE Route 205 will no longer serve Baħrija, which will now be served by route 109. Instead Route 205 will now be diverted from Rabat to Warda Interchange without entering Ta’ Qali. When leavin Pembroke Park & Ride Route 205 will serve St George’s Bay, Paceville (Dragonara) and St Julian’s (Ross). Extended round the St Julian’s hotel district, Route 205 will be providing an extra bus from St Julian’s to Rabat.
206	REVISED ROUTE Route 206 will now pass from MARSA Park & Ride and Paola, passing through Tarxien and following Triq il-Knisja towards Bulebel. Like all Mater Dei Routes, Route 206 will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate). Routes 204, 206 and 210 will all follow a common route through Tarxien and Paola, thus providing those areas with a bus every 20 minutes to Mater Dei.
209	REVISED ROUTE Like all Mater Dei Routes, Route 209 will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate).
210	REVISED ROUTE Route 210 will be diverted from Bulebel to Triq iċ-Ċawsli in Zejtun to serve Ġebel San Martin estate. Like all Mater Dei Routes, Route 210 will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate). Routes 204, 206 and 210 will all follow a common route through Tarxien and Paola, thus providing those areas with a bus every 20 minutes to Mater Dei.
213	REVISED ROUTE Like all Mater Dei Routes, Route 213 will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate).
221	No change
222	REVISED ROUTE This route is diverted to serve St Paul’s Bay village and will no longer be passing from bypass. Route 222 provides another link between Sliema and St Paul’s Bay, thus strengthening the service even more.
223	No change
224	NEW ROUTE Route 224 will operate on a route similar to that of Route 223, with the difference that in Buġibba it will follow a loop by entering Bugibba through Triq Ġulju, proceeding onto Dawret il-Gżejjer and Triq Għawdex. Route 224 provides a service linking Bugibba to Għajn Tuffieħa, operating 2 buses per hour for the summer.
225	NEW ROUTE This route will replace Route 23 and provide a link between Sliema and Golden Bay, with two buses every hour. Route 225 will not pass through Mrabat Street. Instead it will start from Sliema Ferries and pass through St Julian’s towards San Gwann, Naxxar, Mosta, Tarġa, Mġarr and Golden Bay.
226	REVISED ROUTE Like all Mater Dei Routes, Route 226 will serve first Mater Dei Main Entrance (bus stop Sptar) and then serve Mater Dei Interchange (University Main Gate).
232	Cancelled and replaced by Route 37
233	NEW ROUTE Route 233 will start from Sliema Ferries and pass through Tower Road towards St Julian’s, continuing then by following the same journey as Route 33 to Victoria Garden’s, via Swatar, linking Swieqi, St Julian’s and Sliema. Route 233 replaced Route 34
244	*Cancelled and replaced by Route 38*
401	No change
X1	No change
X2	No change
X3	REVISED ROUTE Route X3 will no longer serve Żokrija area (which will now be served by Route 38 instead) and will now pass fro Rabat to Ta’ Qali (American Embassy) and then exit back to Mdina Road to continue towards Warda Interchange. Route X3 offers a linking between Bugibba and the Crafts Village in Ta’ Qali.
X4	No change
X5	No change
X6	*Cancelled and replaced by Route 42.*
X7	*NEW ROUTE* This route will depart from Valletta to Birgu and passing via Marsa Park & Ride, the Airport, Gudja, Għaxaq and Paola, thus giving a direct service from Gudja and Għaxaq to Paola Square. Route X7 will call on every bus stop between Bir id-Deheb and Birgu.
N3	No change
N11	No change
N13	No change
N21	No change
N31	No change
N32	No change
N52	No change
N61	No change
N62	No change
N71	No change
N81	No change
N82	No change
N91	No change
301	REVISED ROUTE Route 301 will now serve Xewkija in both directions.
302	REVISED ROUTE Route 302 will no longer serve DWEJRA, which will be served by the new direct Route 311.
303	No change
304	NEW ROUTE Starting from Rabat Terminus, Route 304 will serve the San Blas area in Nadur, passing from Ta’ Xħajma towards Nadur Center and terminating at San Blas.
305	REVISED ROUTE This route will no longer serve San Lawrenz, which will instead be served by the new Route 312.
306	REVISED ROUTE This route will no longer serve Marsalforn, which will instead be served by the new Route 310. Route 306 will also be re-routed to pass via Munxar when leaving from Rabat Terminus.
307	REVISED ROUTE This route will no longer go to Santa Lucija, which will now be served by the direct Route 313.
308	No change
309	No change
310	NEW ROUTE This route goes directly to Marsalforn from Rabat.
311	NEW ROUTE This route goes directly to Dwejra from Rabat.
312	*NEW ROUTE* This route goes directly to San Lawrenz from Rabat.
313	NEW ROUTE This route goes directly to Santa Lucija from Rabat.
321	*Cancelled and replace by the new Route 323*
322	No change
323	NEW ROUTE Route 323 will operate as a circular route from Rabat Terminus to Xewkija center, passing from Triq Għajn Qatet in Rabat towards Xewkija church, and proceeding through Triq l-Indipendenza, onto Triq tal-Ħamrija and back to Rabat Terminus.

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