A set of new bus routes will come in force on May 27 as transport operator Arriva switches to its summer schedule.
Changes follow feedback by public and commuters
In its fifth update since it took over on July 3, Arriva will introduce 19 new routes – 13 in Malta and six in Gozo. There will be 42 revisions to existing routes and eight will be replaced or cancelled – seven in Malta and one in Gozo.
The changes were implemented following discussions between Transport Malta and local councils around Malta and Gozo and will cater for the growing and changing needs of both Arriva’s customers and the public, the company said.
The buses will be covering some 73,000 kilometres in Malta and more than 3,000 kilometres in Gozo, amounting to a figure in excess of 27 million kilometres a year.
The changes, which took into consideration feedback sent in by commuters and the public, include new route 15 linking Ta’ Xbiex and Valletta in both directions while route 36 will provide residents of Għargħur with a link to Mater Dei Hospital and Valletta.
Qajjenza residents will be able to start using Route 85 and new Route 93 will serve the area of the former Jerma Palace hotel in Marsascala.
Another new route, 42, replaces the old route X6 and will provide a 30-minute service from Ċirkewwa to Valletta. This, along with Route 41, will provide a bus every 15 minutes from Ċirkewwa to Valletta and also serve Birkirkara, Fleur-De-Lys and Ħamrun.
A revised Route 21 will provide a local Sliema service to Valletta through Savoy and Dingli streets and along with Sliema Ferries, without passing through San Ġwann. A revised Route 91 will serve Il-Qaliet Street in Marsascala and St Thomas Bay while Routes 92 and 93 will be diverted via Żabbar bypass for a more efficient and faster service.
Route 120 will pass directly through Fgura from Żabbar to Mater Dei Hospital, going directly from Marsa to the hospital, considerably reducing journey time.
For the first time, Swatar residents will be able to benefit from a service to Valletta through a revised Route 123, while Routes 202 and 203 have been re-routed to provide better links to Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, which will also be served by a revised Route X3.
Revised routes 204, 206 and 210 for Tarxien and Paola will offer a bus every 20 minutes to Mater Dei Hospital, while Route 2 and Route 3 will go to San Ġwann T’Għuxa, Ta’ Ħawli and Cafe Riche.
As of May 27, the buses going to the hospital will stop at the main entrance and University Main Gate on their way out. Also, fewer buses will pass through Sliema’s busy but narrow Mrabat Street, reducing the traffic congestion often caused by buses getting stuck.
In Gozo, a new route will be introduced to serve the San Blas area in Nadur, Route 304, and there will be more direct trips to Marsalforn, Dwejra, San Lawrenz and Santa Luċija.
Journey times and timetables were revised together with the number of journeys made on some routes to strengthen the transport services in particular areas and at particular times of the day, making the service more efficient and meeting the demand levels more effectively and efficiently, particularly at peak times, Arriva said.
This has led to the cancellation of routes 23, 34, 103, 104, 232, 244, X6 and 321. Route 23 has been replaced by 225, Route 34 by 33 and 233, Route 103 has been replaced by 35, Route 104 by 36, Route 232 by 37, Route 244 by 38, Route X6 by 42 and Route 321 in Gozo by 323.
For more information, e-mail enquiries@arriva.com.mt or call 2122-2000.