I refer to the letters ‘Payment for bus journeys’ (July 16).

With regard to “speed” and “rapidity”, which were mentioned by Philip Bonello, of Paola, Malta Public Transport noted that, prior to the introduction of the bus card, drivers had to still care for the safety of passengers while issuing tickets, checking tickets, taking cash and giving change.

At the same time, other passengers would have been waiting for their turn and this was contributing negatively to the efficiency of the bus service, resulting in longer journey times, less punctuality, more traffic congestion and increased air pollution.

One of the objectives of the Tallinja card is to encourage passengers to use their card instead of buying their ticket on the bus and, hence, this would eventually reduce the time it takes for passengers to board the bus.

In fact, whereas until this June more than 95 per cent of people used to buy their ticket on the bus, this has been reduced significantly, with over 50 per cent of people actually using a card.

Referring to the letter written by Patricia Judah, of St Julian’s, complaining that tourists are being discriminated against, Malta Public Transport has just clarified that all the fares, tickets and cards that came into effect on July 1 are available to anyone irrespective of their place of residence or nationality.

The only exception being the concession card.

Anyone, including tourists, can apply for their personalised Tallinja card online and have their card delivered to their home address even if this happens to be outside Malta.

Malta Public Transport has other cards that can be bought over the counter and used immediately on the bus. These cards offer better prices than the fare on board the bus.

More information is available online at tallinja.com, at any one of our ticket booths or else by calling on 2122 2000.