As from July 2015 the new ‘smart card’ for use with the new bus services will come into practice. The Tallinja card is a plastic smart card which can hold pay as you go, pre-paid credit. The Tallinja card may be used to travel on any one of the Malta Public Transport buses in both Malta and Gozo as of July 2015.
Every time you board a bus, simply touch the reader with the Tallinja card and you will automatically benefit from cheaper fares than when you pay on the bus. A fare for every journey will be deducted from your available credit. The balance appears on the reader on the bus each time you use the card. Different cards and fares are available for children, students, adults, Kartanzjan holders/60+ Maltese Identity card holders, blue badge holders and Gozo residents. Customers may register for a Tallinja card for free this year. A nominal charge of 5 euros for lost or damaged cards that need to be replaced will apply. Customers who register for a new Tallinja card after this year will pay a nominal charge of 5euros. Gozo cards will expire every 2 years for persons under 60 years of age so residency can be verified.
To register, you can apply on line on:- www.tallinja.com or ring 2122 2000. You will need your e-Residency card to hand, and your e-mail address/mobile telephone number. You will be notified to collect your card from your nearest council office. The card will be personalised with your photo and name and can be topped up with credit easily on line, over the phone or at any of the outlets for Malta Transport or any Malta Post Office. Your credit will not expire. When using your Tallinja card you will benefit from cheaper fares than when you pay on the bus. Every time you board the bus simply touch the reader with your card. A fare for every journey of 75c will be automatically deducted from your credit up to a maximum limit of 26 euros every month or 10 euros every month in Gozo only. This means that once the total spend of all your journeys reaches this limit in every month, you will not pay for any more journeys for the rest of the month. The more you travel the more you save.
Written and supplied by Hazel Marsh, Information & Support Co-ordinator
Does the system record when the E26 per month limit has been reached?
Yes each time you scan your card on the bus it gives you a running total. You can also go on-line and check your balance.