More than 19,000 people are set the benefit from the new Bus 75+ scheme which was launched on Monday, at a conference at the Mosta Technopark.

This project is part of the Government Free Travel Scheme.

"The new year brings with it a measure from last year's budget, so that the government's vision continues to extend on the idea of free public transport," said Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg.

Last year anyone between the age of 14 and 20, as well as those who study full time even if they were over 20 years-old, were able to use public transport for free. Monday’s launch was a continuation of the project which began by giving 18-year-olds access to free public transport. 

Now elderly people above the age of 75 years have also been included in the scheme which continues to widen the project’s reach. “The government’s vision is to get to a point where public transport is completely free of charge for everyone,” Borg explained.

Borg also pointed out that the number of people using transport is on the rise. “The new estimates are showing us that there is an increase of more than 7%, or more than four million passengers, from 2018, and a 69% increase in the use of this service when one compares it with usage in 2012. Today, we are here to announce the new initiative Bus 75+, which will be offering free public transport to another segment of our population, those aged 75 and over, and the numbers are showing us that there may be more than 19,000 who are set to benefit from this measure.”

Just like the other schemes which were implemented in 2019, anyone eligible for this scheme will be refunded the money spent on public transport at the end of each month.

Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing Anthony Agius Decelis said that this project is a reflection of the attention that this government gives to the elderly and persons with disability. 

“We are sending them a strong message that we do not want any social exclusion. We want our society to be inclusive, in which there is the participation of all members of our society. In turn, we are strengthening the policies for active elderly persons wherein we want the elderly to participate in all aspects of society. By giving them free public transport we are encouraging them to keep participating in a variety of initiatives hosted by the government,” explained Decelis.

This scheme is being launched in collaboration with Centrecom and Airmalta. Centrecom will be providing a team of customer service agents which focuses on this Bus 75+ scheme in order to provide efficient support to those eligible.