Malta Public transport, which is operated by Spanish company ALSA, or Autobuses de Leon, is planning to expand the Valletta bus terminus in order to accommodate its larger fleet, which will be serving more routes.
Julio Tironi, Director Transport Division, explained to journalists touring ALSA facilities in Spain that the number of bus bays will essentially double in number. The company is currently in discussions with MEPA.
Julio Tironi.
The enlarged bus terminus is expected to spill round the corner further down into St James ditch, near the old lotteries building. He explained that the company also wishes to make this area accessible from Castille. Mr Tironi said the other side of the Valletta gate could possibly also be used.
Malta Public Transport Chairman Felipe Cosmen said the project will see the addition of bus bays, ticketing machines, offices and information panels with real time information.
Mr Cosmen says information panels similar to this one will be installed in Valletta.
Mr Cosmen also announced that the company has started retraining the first batch of 70 Maltese drivers. Journalists were shown one of four simulators used by the company in its driving school in Oviedo.
The machines allow the drivers to train in a number of diffrent conditions, including rain and snow. While the latter is a hazard Maltese drivers are unlikely to encounter, the sophisticated piece of equipment could prove very useful since drivers can use it learn to maneuver in narrow streets and congested roads.
ALSA will be investing €235,000 in a new simulator for Malta.
The machine can even simulate accidents, with journalists being shown a scenario where a child suddenly crosses the road. Mr Cosmen said the simulator, which costs some 235,000 euro, will be delivered to Malta in 2016. Before drivers can start using it, the company's IT experts will be driving around, filming Maltese streets to make the simulator as realistic as possible.
The company's success will depend heavily on its computerised control room, where officers can see in real time on their screen where every bus is, if it is in trouble or running late. Journalists saw the system at work in Oviedo, where a number of routes were affected by the snow. An operator was in contact with the drivers, rerouting them and increasing buses to zones where they were needed.
Malta Public Transport Chairman Felipe Cosmen.
In order to do this the company must have a number of reserve buses on standby. The company has 142 buses on order from Otocar of Turkey. Delivery will start in July and will be complete by end of October, giving ALSA the extra buses it needs. It was explained during the visit that Arriva's problem was that it did not have extra buses, meaning that whenever more frequent trips were needed the company could not meet the demand.
ALSA employees traning at the ALSA academy in Oviedo.
Mr Cosmen the foremost priority at this time is recruiting some 250 to 300 new drivers to get the numbers up to the system requirements. They will then be given professional training before moving on to the simulator. The MTP Chairman repeatedly stated that the company places great importance in safety for its passengers and drivers.
Video: Martin Dimech, Editing: Paul Jones, Photos: Neil Camilleri