Two minibuses will be driving through several streets in Valletta and the ring road around the city every 30 minutes as from Sunday, when Arriva takes over the revamped transport system.
Route 133 is intended to make it easier for residents and tourists to travel around the city and will be served by a specially designed Bluebird Tucana minibus, which has a capacity of 17 passengers, including three standing.
The 6.8 metre long Euro V minibus, which is two metres wide, has low-floor entry and a ramp for wheelchair access. It is air conditioned and has an on-board next bus stop announcement and display system.
The first bus of the day starts at 5.40 a.m., running every 30 minutes until 11.10 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, the first bus is at 6.10 a.m., running every hour until the last bus at 11.10 p.m. Standard bus fares apply: valid 2-hour, day, 7-day, 30-day and 90-day tickets can be purchased for this service and any other service on the network.
Adorned with images of Valletta’s famous skyline outlining the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church and other spires, the minibuses brought an accessible transportation service within the city walls, Arriva’s Piers Marlow said when he unveiled the service in the presence of Transport Minister Austin Gatt, yesterday.
He said the network had been designed so that passengers could connect easily from the city circular service with route 122 for Marsa park and ride and links to Sa Maison, Pietà and Portes-des-Bombes.
Dr Gatt said the new bus service within the walls of Valletta had long been awaited and offered a viable alternative to the car for those wanting to move around the city for shopping, sightseeing or visiting friends and family.
The park and ride facility in Blata l-Bajda closes tomorrow at 2 p.m. and reopens under Arriva’s management on Sunday morning so that the new operators have time to set up their infrastructure.
The present bus service stops on Saturday evening and there will be no bus service until Arriva takes over on Sunday morning.
Route 133
The minibus travels anticlockwise in a circular route around the outskirts of Valletta. It will pass along St Paul Street, turning left into Archbishop Street, passing alongside the Grand Master’s Palace, then right onto Republic Street and down to Fort St Elmo before turning left into Fontana Street.
The minibus then follows St Sebastian and Marsamxett streets before re-entering Valletta through St Mark Street.
It then navigates the one-way area by turning left onto Bakery Street, right onto St John Street, again onto Strait Street, then right onto Melita Street, before following the road onto St Andrew Street to reach South Street.
While South Street is closed for building works, the minibus will perform a loop, returning back along Old Bakery Street and St Sebastian and Marsamxett streets before exiting Valletta by Great Siege Road and re-entering the city via Castille Place.
A stop will customers to alight near the Valletta bus terminus.