Applications for the new tallinja bus cards have reached 21,000 in just four days, 8,000 of them from people aged 60 years and over, Malta Public Transport Services Limited said yesterday.

Commuters are being urged to register for the electronic ticketing system as the price of onboard tickets is set to increase when the new fare structure comes into force in July.

The number of bus card applications has already almost equalled the total number of Saver Cards that had been introduced in July 2011 when Arriva took over the service.

Though the company left in January of last year, the Saver Cards are still being accepted by Spanish Company Autobuses de Leon, the new operator of the public transport service.

While at present commuters can purchase a ticket for a whole day for €1.50, this will no longer be possible when the new fares come in – tickets will cost €0.75 for two hours.

However, in a media briefing, commercial director Daniel Grech pointed out that there will be a monthly capping of €26, from which frequent users will benefit as they will not pay any extra if they exceed this amount within the given period. In addition, special rates will apply for disabled people, Gozitan residents, students and the elderly.

The commercial director emphasised that tourists will not be charged higher fares, even though they cannot apply for the card as they have no Maltese address. He said further announcements would be made closer to the launch date on how tourists will be able to buy a pre-paid ticket off the shelf.

The new cards will be distributed through local councils from next month and commuters will be able to start purchasing credit for them.

Apart from online applications, the bus company is accepting registrations from its outlets in Sliema, Valletta, Buġibba, the airport, Mater Dei Hospital, the university and Mġarr in Gozo.

Asked about possible strike action on Saturday, Mr Grech declined to comment, saying that talks with the GWU were ongoing.