The Tallinja transport card, currently used to pay for bus services around the island, will from today be valid to cover Valletta ferry services, Minister for Transport Ian Borg announced this morning.

Addressing a news conference in Valletta, at the ferry departure point across from the Three Cities, Borg told those present that from today, the two modes of transport will be merged through the use of one card.

"The card will serve for ferry rides between points such as Cottonera and Valletta, and Sliema and Valletta," he said, adding, "we are also studying other localities which could be linked."

Borg said that by linking the two, commuters can "budget better." He added that an approximate discount of 20c per trip will be offered to card users.

Providing statistics, the minister said that in 2016 alone, one million passengers made use of the ferry service, while between January and June of this year, 600,000 passengers made use of the service.

He added that he hopes this service will reduce car use.

Asked by The Malta Independent when the free school transport service is expected to begin, Minister Borg could not indicate a clear starting date at this point however he stated that the electoral pledge was a significant one.

"It was an important pledge which formed part of our electoral manifesto, and discussions have began regarding the subject," he said, adding that there is plenty of time for it to be introduced within this legislature.