It is expected that trackless trains will be introduced next year in six tourist areas, with calls for tenders now having been issued by the Malta Transport Authority. Initially they will operate in St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, Qawra, Rabat, below Mdina and at Mtarfa.

A press release yesterday described the innovative transport system as an electric vehicle that will pull wagons, as does a train, using the road surface without rails.

The service is seen as enhancing the tourist product in the areas where it will be operating, and the government is considering the possibility of also introducing it elsewhere.

Six operators expressed an interest in operating the service after the government made a call for indications of interest. After that call, the possibilities were considered and research was carried out.

The trackless trains will carry a maximum of 20 passengers and the service will be on offer every hour. The tenders are for a 10-year contract and the service is expected to start operating on 1 January.

There will be a running commentary about what can be seen during the journey. The operator will have to provide this commentary in various languages, apart from Maltese, and these include English, Italian, German, French and Spanish.

The call for tenders closes on 28 September, and it is expected that contracts will be finalised by the end of October.