Criticism of the tallinja card launch was not unfair according to Malta Public Transport General Manager Konrad Pulè, but problems were quickly overcome and the system has become a success.

The tallinja card was launched on 1 July but problems at the top-up stations in Valletta resulted in long queues and flared tempers. Many of the new cards also malfunctioned on the buses, resulting in several delays.

Interviewed by The Malta Independent today, Mr Pulè says the problems were quickly sorted and the tallinja card has been favoured by many commuters. Was the criticism unfair or out of proportion, we asked?

“No, I will not say that it was unfair. However one must look at it from a different angle. When we launched the system we were overwhelmed. Many had not yet registered for the card. Maybe we should have catered a bit more for the queues we had in Valletta. However the problems were largely sorted by the following day.

On the other hand when you look at the numbers today, 70% of passengers using the tallinja card is a huge success. It is a success for the country not just for us. It is a change in culture in the way people travel in Malta. This is a national success and having achieved that in just two months is no small feat.”

Mr Pulè says more than 200,000 have registered for a tallinja card. “Almost 140,000 have topped up their card and have credit on it. 110,000 have used it at least once. This is higher than we expected.”

So has the tallinja card reduced the onboard ticketing time? “It is difficult to say after just two months but the feedback we have received from our employees is that the change is being felt. Initially the card readers were taking a longer time to read the cards but now it is quick and people have become more used to the system. Having said this the full effect will be felt in the medium term.”

Mr Pule also says Malta Public Transport also aims to become profitable next year.