Much-needed bus app downloaded 10,000 times in three days

Tallinja app allows commuters to check the real-time status of the bus

The much-awaited public transport mobile application has been downloaded 10,000 times in three days, confirming commuters’ thirst of such mobile services.

The main feature of the app, which is free of charge, shows customers the number of minutes in which the next bus will be arriving at their bus stop.

"This number of downloads in the first few days is very encouraging. The feedback we have received from our regular customers has been positive and we are very happy that our customers are finding this app useful," said Konrad Pulé, General Manager of Malta Public Transport.

The tallinja app makes use of GPS technology where every bus transmits its current location to the central system. The system then compares the location to where the bus is planned to arrive and estimates that time of arrival on each of the 2,000 bus stops around Malta and Gozo.

"The app was made possible with our constant investment in technology. We would also like to remind those customers who do not have access to a smartphone that the My Next Bus feature is also available on SMS," Pulé said.

Customers can send an SMS to 50611010, entering the bus stop code in the message. They will then receive a message from tallinja with a list of buses arriving at this bus stop within the next 30 minutes.

The app also gives tallinja card holders additional benefits. With a simple online registration process, tallinja card holders may check their card balance, top up their card and even see their actual bus trips and transaction history. Customers without a smartphone can also send an SMS to 50611000 with their card number in the message and receive an SMS from tallinja showing the credit balance on their card.

Customers can download the app by searching “tallinja” on the iPhone’s App Store or the Google Play Store on the following links:


iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/mt/app/tallinja/id1074287322?mt=8


Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mpt.tallinjaapp