Tallinja app will provide live tracking of buses from Monday

Updated on Monday 25 March with Malta Public Transport statement

Bus users can track their ride live via the Tallinja app starting Monday, Transport Minister Chris Bonett says in an interview with MaltaToday. 

The change will make it possible for users to know where the bus has arrived in a radical transformation of the public transport system. 

“Malta Public Transport will be updating their app so that people will be able to see where the bus they are waiting for has arrived, similar to certain apps we use when ordering food,” Bonett says. 

Malta Public Transport is a private company that operates the bus service, which is heavily subsidised by the government. Buses are free for Tallinja card holders. 

Bonett says that buses witnessed an increase of 17 million passenger trips last year. He adds that a review of the route network will take place following broad consultation to ensure the bus service meets today’s demands.

Malta Public Transport rolls out real-time tracking feature

Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, Malta Public Transport said it rolled out the new tracking feature on its Tallinja App. "Designed to enhance the commuting experience, this feature provides passengers with GPS information on bus locations and estimated arrival times," the company said.

The real-time bus tracking feature allows commuters to monitor the location of buses in relation to their selected bus stop. "This empowers passengers with greater certainty and control over their travel plans," the company said.

The real-time bus tracking feature can be accessed on the Tallinja App, available from the App Store or Google Play Store, and no account creation or login is required to use the new feature. "By allowing location sharing, users can view buses in real-time on the app's map interface, enabling them to track multiple buses simultaneously."

"This latest development is part of our ongoing commitment to improving the passenger experience and making public transport more accessible and efficient," Alison Zammit, Product Manager at Malta Public Transport said. "The introduction of real-time bus tracking in the Tallinja App is another step towards achieving this goal, providing passengers with valuable information to plan their journeys more effectively."