Getting around the islands is set to get a bit easier throughout the summer months…

Malta Public Transport (MPT) has just announced that, as of last Sunday, it added an extra 540 daily bus trips to its summer schedule.

These will be split across 15 different routes in a bid to ensure a more efficient and frequent service during summer.

MPT also revealed that four of its routes have been extended to reach popular beaches, including Armier, Ghar Lapsi, Gnejna, and Blue Grotto.

The routes benefitting from extensions are as follows:

• Route 49 – extended to Armier Bay and will operate daily, weekends included
• Route 74 – extended to Blue Grotto
• Routes 109 and 109A – extended to Ghar Lapsi
• Routes 101 and 101B – extended to Gnejna Bay

The eight standard routes operating with an increased frequency are as follows:

• Route 212 – increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 221 – increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 222 – increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 223 – increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 225 – increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 322 – increased to every 45 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route N13 – increasing frequency on Saturday and Sunday

Tallinja Direct Services will also increase this summer. The impacted routes are as follows:

• TD2 will restart operating with an increased frequency compared to previous years
• TD30 will start operating as of 19th June
• TD31 will start operating as of 19th June

MPT will be further increasing the frequency of certain routes as of 3rd July. The impacted routes are as follows:

• Route 41 – increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 42 - increased to every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 212 - increased to every 15 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 221 - increased to every 15 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 222 - increased to every 15 minutes on weekdays and weekends during peak hours
• Route 53 - increased to every 30 minutes on weekdays and weekends during most of the day
• Route TD13 - increased to every 15 minutes during peak times and to 20 minutes during peak times on weekends

The following changes will also be effected as of 3rd July to coincide with the end of the scholastic year:

• Route 43 will operate every hour
• Route X1A will be suspended

Be aware of the price changes coming into place during summer months.

Price for cash tickets and contactless payments during summer is €2, although Tallinja Card holders will continue to benefit from reduced rates.

Adult, Student, and Gozo Tallinja Card holders will pay €0.75 per trip, whilst Child and Concession Tallinja Card holders will pay €0.25 per trip. Different capping is put in place according to the card type.

Standard Night Route fares will still apply, with Tallinja Card holders getting charged €2.50 and cash tickets costing €3.

Tallinja Direct fares will remain the same, costing €3 for passengers paying cash onboard the bus and €1.50 for passengers paying with a personalised Tallinja Card. Tallinja Direct fares are free for passengers paying with the ExplorePlus Meep Card.

The printed schedules at bus stops are being updated in the coming days. Customers are encouraged to down the Tallinja App to keep updated with real-time bus arrival information.

Tallinja / Facebook