Arriva has launched ‘My journey’ a web-based function that allows bus-users to plan their travelling by bus ahead and which will enable passengers to familiarise themselves with the new bus routes, before the start of Arriva operations on 3 July.
The planner, accessible from www.arriva.com.mt, has drop-down menus from where passengers can choose their departure points and destinations and the journey planner will plan out the available travelling options accordingly.
There is a choice of planning your journey either by selecting the town or village you want to travel to, or by using the new route number, Arriva Managing Director Keith Bastow explained.
The planner also indicates how long the journey would take, the times buses leave and a visual map of the route.
The online tool will not stand on its own as there is also a call-centre as well as printed guides which passengers can use to familiarise themselves with the new bus network. The call centre has been handling between 500 and 1,000 calls a day since the Arriva started mailing the network guides. Most calls were queries about travel options.
Mr Bastow explained that the new bus operator intends to print a leaflet specifically intended to meet queries by the elderly population, he explained to journalists during a press conference yesterday.
Asked whether any amendments to the network can be made once it is implemented on 3 July, Mr Bastow said it is difficult because the network has been set by Transport Malta and any changes would disrupt the intelligent real-time information system which has already been programmed according to each bus stop.
Referring to the case of Bisazza Street from where eight routes are planned to pass, he said that changing the configuration would throw this passenger information out of the window.
However, Arriva will be taking stock of all the queries, hitches and plus points registered in the first six-months of the network operation, to propose amendment to Transport Malta.
For full route and times information, web users can download a route map and timetable relevant for the routes or send an e-mail to [email protected] Those without internet access can contact Arriva’s Customer Care Centre on 2122 2000 for guidance.
“All this information is consistent with and complemented by information on our buses, with displays and voice announcements to indicate the next stop,” Mr Bastow said.
Information road shows continue
This weekend Arriva will continue its road show. On Sunday an Arriva team will be at Ta’ Qali near the National Park between 11am and 3pm. The team will be meeting with people to show them the new buses, talk through what the new services will mean for local residents and answer any questions.
Other road shows will be held on Tuesday at Zurrieq between 8am and 3pm, Sunday 19 June at Marsaxlokk fish market hunters lodge between 8am and 1pm, on Friday 24 June at Sliema Ferries between 9am and 2pm and on Tuesday 28 June at Paola between 8pm and 3pm.