Updated 4.30pm - The current two-hour 30c ticket for Kartanzjan/Maltese 60+ ID Holders, KNPD special ID/blue badge holders, and children under 10 will continue to be available until July 7, Malta Public Transport (MPT) said.

Other categories of users who did not receive their tallinja card today will have to buy the €2 ticket per journey until they receive their card when they would be able to claim a refund against the tickets bought.

The company said earlier today it made arrangements for a second round of bus card deliveries this afternoon amid a chorus of complaints by applicants who said they had not received their card - even though new fares come into force tomorrow.

A company spokesman yesterday refuted claims that there was “a glitch” in the distribution of bus cards, explaining that everything had been in hand until some 25,000 applications were received in the last 10 days.

“There was no glitch or difficulty at all. If people decided to apply at the last minute, it stands to reason that the applications cannot be processed, printed and mailed within a day or two,” a spokesman said, adding that efforts were being made to have as many cards as possible out there for commuters to use.

The company this morning stood by its commitment  that those who applied for their cards before June 19 would have them in their post-boxes today.

The company doubled its workforce over the weekend to ensure that some 105,000 people who applied for the Tallinja cards would have them by today. Those who applied for the cards since June 20 would receive them in the coming days but can claim a refund on the ticket price difference. This will be added to the person’s card balance.

Through the card system, commuters can benefit from cheaper journey rates. While at present commuters can buy a ticket for a whole day for €1.50, with the possibility of hopping onto different routes all day, this will no longer be possible when the new fares come into force, when the fare will be €0.75 for two hours. 

As from tomorrow, each journey will cost €2 for those who do not have a Tallinja card. Card holders will need to top up their cards on www.tallinja.com or official outlets before using them.

Did you encounter problems? Contact Times of Malta at keith.micallef@timesofmalta.com

 

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