An information campaign on the new bus fares will be launched in March, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said in Parliament this evening.

Replying to questions by Robert Cutajar (PN), he said the fares would not be rising. On the contrary the new card system would be more advantageous to most commuters than at present, particularly the elderly, students and frequent users.

The card, he said, would be distributed to all free of charge and would then be topped up with no time limit.

Giving examples, he said it would work out cheaper for elderly people using a card to travel around Malta and Gozo (together) than the current system. It would also be cheaper for workers and students who used the bus every day.

The system, he said, was meant to encourage the use of the cards and to discourage the system of paying the fare on boarding.

The fares, he said, would not be changed before July.

The information campaign would include house visit and distribution of literature on the use of the cards and topping up.