WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE START OF THE MUCH-AWAITED PARK AND RIDE PILOT PROJECT WITHIN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, STARTING ON THE 10TH OF OCTOBER, 2022.
The start and end location will be just outside the Car Park near Homemate in Triq it-Territorials and will run from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) during peak hours, from 7:00am to 10:00am in the morning and from 4:00pm to 7:00pm in the afternoon, at 20 minute intervals. That is, the first service will leave the car park at 7am and the last service in the morning will leave the car park at 10am. Conversely the first service in the afternoon will leave the car park at 4pm and the last service will leave the car park at 7pm.
When planning the service, the CBDF together with Malta Public Transport – who will be operating the service – have ensured that the CBD footprint is covered as much as possible by the proposed route whilst making use, where possible, of existing bus-stops, thus limiting the need for custom made temporary busstops. Most importantly, it needed to be ensured that the service runs at a frequency that does not exceed 20 minutes between one trip and the other, thereby making it more attractive for users of the car park and reducing undue waiting time. Needless to say, this service will be operated on a first come first served basis.
Since this is initially planned to be a pilot project for a period of three (3) months, it is important that employers inform and encourage their employees to use the service as much as possible, given that the decision whether to stop the service or to implement it on a permanent basis after the trial period depends solely on the level of demand for the service.
It is also important to note that in order to further encourage the use of the Park and Ride Pilot Project, the service shall be free of charge to users.
The pilot project is in line with the CBDF’s green credentials to promote a green transport plan and reduce carbon emissions throughout the area. Should the pilot project be deemed to be a success and is transformed into a permanent service, the CBDF plans to invest in a fully electric van.
The CBDF will be promoting the area using a number of marketing tools; however, the best way to promote the Park and Ride Pilot Project is if members and operators within the area in turn encourage their employees to make use of the service.
