Public Transport in Malta & Gozo
Public transport in the Maltese Islands is now regulated by the Malta Transport Authority which was established by Act 23 of 2000. The Authority has as its principal function the provision of a properly integrated, safe, economical and efficient public transport system. The Authority, appointed by the Minister responsible for transport, consists of a Chairman and four other members.

Public transport includes the transportation of fare-paying passengers. It comprises two sectors: the scheduled service, which comprises vehicles which carry passengers along pre-determined routes at set times of the day and, the unscheduled service which comprises of vehicles which are largely unregulated in the routes and the times at which they operate.

The scheduled service principal component is the 'scheduled bus service' commonly referred to as the 'route bus service'.

The major modes of travel within the unscheduled service are coaches, vintage buses, minibuses, taxis, chauffeur-driven and self-drive vehicles, karrozzini (horse-drawn cabs).

The route bus service is not only the major component of public transport but plays a significant part in travel in general throughout the Maltese Islands. In fact, route bus travel accounts for 24 per cent of all public and private transport journeys in Malta and Gozo. On average, around 38 to 40 million tickets to travel are purchased by commuters every year.

Route Bus Service in Malta
The route bus service in Malta comprises of 508 buses, all of which are privately owned, in many cases by the persons who drive them. Bus owners, approximately 400, have their own collective organization, the Public Transport Association, which is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the service. It is also responsible for collecting all revenue and sharing this out amongst bus owners on a fortnightly basis.

The buses, yellow in colour, are a collection of models and hybrids. Some were locally built and others were imported second hand from the United Kingdom, some of which actually turned out to be coaches built for a cold climate. Although these coach-type buses were imported in the eighties, it was only in 1995, following an agreement reached between the former Public Transport Authority and the Public Transport Association, that these buses had their sealed windows replaced by sliding windows. As a result, for almost twenty years, the Maltese public had been forced to endure the discomfort of commuting in overheated, barrow-doored, narrow-aisled vehicles, totally unsuitable for the purpose for which they were intended.

Based on a report commissioned by the former Public Transport Authority in 1990, the fleet of 508 buses was found to consist of 40 former London Transport 10.9 metres long 46 seat AEC rear engine single deckers; 15 former National Bus Company 'Bristol' type 9.5 metres long 44 seat underfloor engine single deckers, seven Leyland Tiger Cub 40+seater underfloor engine buses, 170 British second hand coaches (Bedfords and Fords with duple or Plaxton bodies), and the remaining are a mixture of imported and locally built vehicles normally with a front mounted engine over the front axle, a set back and front door and a seating capacity of 36 to 40.

The London Transport types, mainly AEC Swifts and Leylands, were built between 1963 and 1971 and imported between 1980 and 1982. The Bedfords and Fords with Duple or Plaxton bodies were built between 1971 and 1979 and imported into Malta between 1984 and 1987.

The first public transport vehicle in Malta was a Thornycraft 17-seat single-decker, chassis No 375, imported into the island in 1905. Some 300 of the present route bus fleet have been on the road for more than 35 years.

Several studies have been commissioned by the Transport Authority in the past years to investigate the feasibility of replacing old buses with new ones. The Government has bound itself to subsidise owners who opt to replace their vehicles on a voluntary basis.
The Board of the former Public Transport Authority decided, in 1995, that the new buses should be super-low floor. Two operators ordered five such 45-seater vehicles, one of which is an Optare-Excel type, two are East Lancashire-Dennis and the remaining two Dennis Plaxtons.

Route buses operate on a day on, day off basis, hence some 254 vehicles are employed daily to operate the scheduled bus service. They are identified by route numbers. A day's work normally lasts some 16 hours. On their day 'off', route buses either perform unscheduled private work or are left idle. During the peak summer months, when the number of passengers increases, additional buses are roped in to provide extra services. The number of trips performed daily by buses on the scheduled service is approximately 3,700, covering some 80 routes most of which terminate at the main terminus at Valletta, while the rest are direct routes between towns avoiding Valletta.

Direct links include those between Bugibba and Mdina via Mosta and Ta' Qali Crafts Village, between Sliema and Mdina via St Julian's, Mosta and Ta' Qali Crafts Village, between Sliema and Bugibba, between Sliema and Cirkewwa via Bugibba, between Bugibba and Cirkewwa, between Sliema and Ghajn Tuffieha, between Bugibba and Ghajn Tuffieha, between Bugibba and Marsaxlokk, between Sliema and Marsaxlokk (both via Cottonera) and between Valletta and Wied iz-Zurrieq via Zurrieq or Qrendi. There are also direct night services on weekends from Paceville to several towns and villages.

The bus system is based on a zone structure. For this purpose, Malta is divided into three zones depending on the duration of the journey. The current fare for zone A is 15 cents, for zone B 18 cents and for zone C 20 cents. Passengers travelling the distance of more than one area stage pay 10 cents. Senior citizens pay 10 cents when travelling the distance of more than one area stage, irrespective of the length of the journey, even if they cross three zones. Also available are four special tickets: One-day, Three-day, Five-day and Seven-day special tickets which entitles the holder to unrestricted travel on the route bus service throughout the covered period.

The Malta Transport Authority employs some 95-Transport Assistants on a shift basis, whose main duty is to control and record the departures of buses from the various termini according to schedules.

Though the scheduled services have increased over the years, even with the introduction of several direct or express services, they may not always meet present day requirements. The country's urban development over the last years and changes in the travelling patterns of the public have necessitated, and will continue to necessitate, the introduction of new routes and changes or extensions in existing ones.
See our newly published schedules online!

Taxis
The white taxi service is a monopoly. There are 250 individually owned. Taxi owners are being assisted to purchase new vehicles through lower first registration fees. Measures are being enforced to bring about more discipline and improve the service. Some of the taxi owners are represented by and operate through the White Taxi Services Amalgamated. Taxi services from the Malta International Airport to all localities in Malta are based on a fixed tariff.

Karozzini
The horse-drawn cab sector is not liberalised. Steps are being taken to organise this sector and to ensure the better safety of both cab drivers and passengers.

The karozzin used to be the most commonly used means of transport before the advent of motortised vehicles. It has now become an integrated aspect of Malta's culture heritage and is very commonly used by tourists for leisurely rides along Malta's towns and villages.

In Gozo
In Gozo too vehicles which carry fare paying passengers such as route buses, those operating the unscheduled bus service, mini buses, taxis, self-drive etc. fall under the aegis of the Public Transport Directorate.

A number of route buses operate the daily scheduled service, and carry passengers along the pre-determined routes at set times of the day in accordance with the departure time tables from Victoria Terminus to the various towns and villages around Gozo.

Public Service Garages in Gozo
Following an agreement entered into a few years back between the then Public Transport Authority and the Gozo Bus Owners Association, the number of buses has doubled, and now this amounts to 78. Of these, 40 are fully air-conditioned and have a 53 seating capacity. The vehicles provide both the scheduled and unscheduled services. In addition to these a number of white window vans also provide unscheduled service.

Taxis in Gozo
Fifty white saloon cars registered as taxis provide this service in Gozo. These can only operate in Gozo and only perform trips directly to the port, airport or a hospital in Malta.

Red Mini-Buses in Gozo
Fifteen red mini-buses provide a variety of unscheduled service like school transport and special tours around the island.

Car Hire in Gozo
This service is available in Gozo through various Public Service Garage owners. The most popular type of vehicles with the tourists are the Safari Jeeps which are sought for special tours which include Gozo's most popular spots on the island.

For more information visit www.maltatransport.com