Arriva and the Transport Ministry today unveiled a Valletta circular bus service, route 133, which will commence on Sunday.
The route, which is intended to make it easier for residents and tourists to travel around the city, is to be served by a specially designed Bluebird Tucana minibus. The bus has low-floor entry and a ramp for wheelchair access to make boarding as easy and accessible as possible. The bus also features a secure wheelchair bay, on-board next bus stop announcement and display, and air-conditioning, whilst conforming to Euro V emission standards.
The 6.8 metre long minibus is two metres wide and has a maximum passenger capacity of 17, based on 14 seated and three standing. Alternatively, the minibus can carry one wheelchair, 12 seated passengers and three standing.
From Monday to Saturday, the first bus of the day starts at 5.40 a.m., running every half hour until 11.10 p.m. On Sundays, the first bus is at 6.10 a.m. running once an 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, or used on this service.
The bus features special route-branding to celebrate the historic city of Valletta, including the city's coat of arms and quoting the city's slogan "A city built by gentlemen for gentlemen", alongside Valletta's famous skyline outlining the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church and other spires.
Piers Marlow for Arriva said, "We are proud to unveil the Bluebird minibus, bringing accessible bus services within the city walls for the first time for residents and tourists alike.
"The network has also been designed so that passengers can easily connect from the City Circular service with route 122 for Marsa Park & Ride, and links to Sa Maison, Pietà and Bombi."
Dr Gatt said that this 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 Valletta for shopping, sight-seeing or visiting friends and family. The environmentally friendly bus, with its Euro V emission standards, was the next step for the environmental protection of this world famous heritage site, the jewel in Malta's crown, encouraging more people to leave their cars at home.
Route 133 travels anticlockwise in a circular route around the outskirts of Valletta. The bus will travel along St Paul Street, turning left into Archbishop Street, passing alongside the Grand Masters Palace, then right onto Republic Street and down to Fort St. Elmo before turning left into Fontana Street.
The bus then follows St Sebastian and Marsamxett Street, before re-entering Valletta through St Mark.
The bus then navigates the one-way area by turning left onto Bakery Street, right onto St John, right again onto Strait street, then right onto Melita Street, before following the road round onto St Andrew Street to reach South Street.
Whilst South Street is closed for building works, the bus will perform a loop, returning back along Old Bakery Street, St Sebastian and Marsamxett roads before exiting Valletta by Great Siege Road, and re-entering the city at Castille Place. A stop will allow customers to alight near Valletta bus terminal.
Dr Gatt also announced that the Park and Ride in Blata l-Bajda closes tomorrow at 2 p.m. and reopens under Arriva's management on Sunday morning.
The current bus service stops on Saturday evening and there will be no bus service until Arriva takes over on Sunday morning.