Malta Public Transport to trial new university shuttle service

A new shuttle service from the Pembroke Park and Ride to the University of Malta (UOM) will be tested by Malta Public Transport in a bid to reduce traffic congestion and reduce the demand for parking spaces at the university. Students will be able to park their car at the park and ride before catching a van to university. 

The new route, route TD 17, will operate from Monday to Friday, going directly from the park and ride to the Qroqq bus stop, close to the Msida Skate Park. The service will run every 15 minutes between 7am and 6pm – with the frequency changing to 30 minutes between 10.30am and noon.

“The new route will have a positive impact on the general traffic flow and parking situation in the areas surrounding University,” Malta Public Transport Director, Daniel Grech was quoted saying. 

The service aims to begin solving the everlasting parking problem which university students face each scholastic year, while also contributing to a cleaner environment around campus.  

“Malta Public Transport considered the accumulated hours that students waste driving around looking for parking, and the negative consequences that this has on air quality in the area,” Grech added. 

The university student council (KSU) welcomed the introduction of the service which it said would boost efforts to provide alternative modes of transport.

“This project is directly in line with KSU’s vision of providing alternative modes of transport to commute to and from University for all students.  We will be making sure this initiative is given all the promotion it deserves throughout this academic year and we encourage students to make use of the service,” KSU President Carla Galea said.

The trial period for the new route will run until the end of the year, during which period MPT will analyse trends in its usage in order to determine its feasibility.