Public transport operator Arriva has announced it will be operating a special service from Valletta to various localities for the first two hours of the New Year.
It is describing the service as a safe and easy way home following the celebrations taking place in Malta’s capital to welcome the start of 2012. Tickets for this special service cost €2.50 and can be purchased until Friday from Arriva’s ticket booths in Valletta, Buġibba and the Malta International Airport.
Arriva said in a statement that year after year the New Year’s Eve celebrations have attracted larger and larger crowds, fast becoming the place to be on the last night of the outgoing year. Unfortunately, this has also meant worsening traffic congestion in the area with the resultant hassle and stress.
It has therefore encouraged people to leave their cars at home and take buses to Valletta, avoiding all the bother and annoyance that spoil celebrations. Moreover, Arriva’s special service for New Year’s Eve means everybody can enjoy the end-of-year celebrations and make it home safe and sound.
Arriva has made it clear that the €2.50 one-way tickets need to be purchased in advance – no tickets will be available on the night.
More information is available on Arriva’s website www.arriva.com.mt or by calling Arriva’s Customer Care Centre on 2122-2000.
Besides the two separate events organised by the Valletta and Floriana local councils in the respective localities, a fireworks display, well visible from the Valletta Waterfront, will be put up.
While some commuters, including residents of Għargħur, have pointed out that the bus would not take them back to their village, others have complained the price is a bit too high, especially when taking into consideration that the tickets on sale are only for the return home and not two-way. No family tickets have been made available.
The arrangement also does not make much sense for people making last minute arrangements since tickets would not be on sale there and then. This, and the fact that the service stops at 2am, is also discouraging for some who do not usually use public transport.
Questions sent to Arriva Malta on whether two-way tickets will be made available and how it is attempting to address requests and complaints, have not been answered.
The mini-bus cooperative is not taking any joint initiative to market its members’ services for the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Some mini-bus and taxi companies are suggesting transport should be booked early while advising people against drinking and driving.
Adverts for events being held at private venues, including in Luqa and at Golden Sands, are urging people to pre-book a taxi back home. Major taxi companies have lately increased advertising.
Special Routes for NYE
A Paola – Fgura – Żabbar–Marsaskala B Marsa– Paola– Tarxien – Żejtun– Għaxaq–Marsaxlokk–Birżebbuga C Msida–Birkirkara Valley–Lija–Mosta–Mgarr (optional) D Pietà –Msida– Gżira (Rue D’Argens) –Mrabat-San Ġwann–Kappara E Msida Heights–Swatar (bypass)–Iklin–Naxxar–Mosta–Burmarrad–Buġibba F Mosta–St Paul’s Bay–Xemxija–Mellieħa–Ċirkewwa G Ħamrun–Fleur de Lys–Attard–Rabat–Mtarfa (optional)–Dingli H Ħamrun–Marsa–Qormi–Żebbuġ–Siġġiewi (optional) I Senglea–Cospicua–Vittoriosa–Kalkara–Xagħra (optional) J Luqa–Kirkop–Safi–Żurrieq–Mqabba–Qrendi N13 Pietà – Msida – Gżira – Sliema Ferries– St Julians – Paceville – Pembroke
Buses will only stop at stages marked (optional) if there are passengers on board heading for that destination
Routes A, B, C, D will depart from the main station; E, F, G from around the Tritons Fountain; and H, I, J from outside the Phoenicia Hotel. N13 will be situated up from the Granaries.
Gozo ferry service suspension on New Year’s Day
Gozo Channel will be suspending its service between noon and 3pm on New Year’s Day, so that employees on duty will be able to be with their families and friends for lunch, the company said in a statement.
The last trip from Mġarr will be at 11.15am while the last trip from Ċirkewwa is scheduled at noon.
The service will resume at 3pm from Mġarr and at 3.45pm from Ċirkewwa.
BOX:
MaltaPost New Year Arrangements
MaltaPost p.l.c. said that in agreement with the Malta Communications Authority, mail from all public letter boxes will be collected at 1pm this Saturday.
Early Closure of St.Julians Branch
On Friday between 1 and 2.30pm, the St Julians Post Office situated within Lombard Bank plc, Triq Paceville, will only accept collection of registered letters, packets, and parcels.
The closest alternatives are:
• Sliema Sub Post Office - “Malton”, 7, Triq Ċensu Scerri, Sliema, or
• San Ġwann Sub Post Office - “S.G.S. Stationery”, 2, Triq Felice Borg, San Ġwann.
MaltaPost Notice
The Parcel Office at the MaltaPost head office in Marsa will be opening from 8am to 4pm this Saturday.
MaltaPost plc Shutdown – 2 January 2012
There will be no collection or delivery of mail and all post offices will be closed on Monday.
The normal service will resume on Tuesday.