31/05/2019
Malta Public Transport launches new shared on demand service with six new premium buses operating between St Julian’s and Valletta
Malta Public Transport has introduced a new innovative service offering customers the possibility to book their bus seat on one of the new premium buses through the popular and updated Tallinja App. TD Plus is a pilot project which allows passengers to choose when and where they would like to be picked up from and dropped off. The system then checks the best ride available and provides the passenger with their trip confirmation.
“This is a completely new approach to urban transportation and the feedback we received after an intensive testing period in the past weeks has been immensely encouraging,” said Konrad Pulé, General Manager at Malta Public Transport. “Public transport is evolving around the world, and we want to be at the forefront of this by offering our passengers innovative and convenient ways of getting around Malta. We are very excited about this new project and we look forward to receiving more feedback to continue improving our service.”
TD Plus is a first for Malta. The bus company partnered with Ecolane, an on-demand scheduling and dispatching software company, to provide this innovative service. TD Plus uses technology that matches the requests made by different passengers to select the most efficient route. It offers greater flexibility, more comfort and added value while saving time. Customers can book multiple passengers on a single trip, and request access for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The system will also send notifications to alert the passengers that the bus is on its way to the bus stop.
“Ecolane is enthusiastic to have a partnership with Malta Public Transport for the TD Plus service,” said Steve Ross, CEO of Ecolane. “As microtransit services continue to evolve, Ecolane strives to provide innovative technology solutions that enhance mobility options and community engagement for people who otherwise would not have access, especially when it is offered inclusively as part of public transportation.”
Malta Public Transport is initially operating TD Plus on a select number of bus stops in the following localities: Valletta, Floriana, Pietà, Blata l-Bajda, Msida, San Ġwann, St. Julian’s, Swieqi and Pembroke. The service is available every day between 05:30 and 22:30.
As a special introductory offer, the service will be available at €2 per trip for all those customers who book through the Tallinja App during the month of June. Customers may choose to pay for their trip with the credit on their Tallinja Card or using their credit card.
The fleet includes six new premium minibuses which are low floor and fully wheelchair accessible. Free WiFi is available and seats are equipped with USB charging ports for added convenience. The minibuses can accommodate up to 16 passengers.
This innovative service forms part of Malta Public Transport’s strategy to offer reliable mobility solutions to customers and to encourage more and more people to use public transport as a viable alternative to private cars. The updated Tallinja App can be downloaded for free from App Store and Google Play Store. More information can be found on https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/td-plus-info.
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