The new electronic bus ticketing system, similar to London’s Oyster card one, will be unveiled in the coming days.
New fares and a route network are set to be rolled out in July, the Transport Ministry said.
The card will be issued free on registration and is a crucial aspect of the bus service reform to improve efficiency and punctuality.
The present time-consuming paper system requires bus drivers to sell tickets. Pre-paid cards will allow commuters to just swipe them through an electronic reader upon boarding.
The card will also enable the bus service operator to take immediate action if some routes are not being adequately served.
Thanks to its embedded electronic chip, real-time information on the number of passengers on each vehicle will be relayed to a central control room monitoring the nationwide service.
The new operator will introduce its fully-fledged service in July with additional routes and a larger bus fleet.
This will mean the doubling of the Valletta bus terminus along St James Ditch. However, no time frames have been set yet for this project because the transport watchdog is still waiting for planning permits.
An information campaign was due to be launched last month as part of the gradual takeover of Malta Public Transport Services by Spanish company Autobuses de Leon.
A Transport Ministry spokeswoman downplayed the delay in the information campaign, telling Times of Malta that the implementation of the new system was on track.
“The cards, which include an intelligent chip, are already being manufactured and will be delivered to Malta shortly,” she said. The aim of the campaign is to allow the public to become familiar with the card system in time for its introduction.
Though paper tickets will still be available, their price will increase to discourage further use.
In the coming weeks, households will be receiving a leaflet outlining the registration process to acquire the card and the various fares for children, students, adults and the elderly.
In addition, roadshows will be held in various towns and villages, and information kiosks will be set up in Valletta and at Mater Dei Hospital and the university.
As for the works on the Valletta terminus, the ministry spokeswoman said the project would be divided into two phases, the first comprising works on the new traffic management at St James Ditch.
The second phase will include better accessibility to the terminus from Ġlormu Cassar Avenue, near Castille Square in Valletta, new bus shelters, offices and a public bathroom.