Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1481355
NEWS 16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 OCTOBER 2022 JAMES DEBONO OFFICIAL statistics seen by MaltaToday show that on the first day in which public trans- port was completely free, the number of trips before 6pm had shot up by 7%, compared to the previous Saturday. Trips after 6pm then shot up by a staggering 52%, but this mas- sive increase is being attributed to the large number of people who used the bus to get to Val- letta during the Notte Bianca celebration. These figures are being seen as an encouraging sign in the wake of an increase of 6,718 Tallinja bus passes issued in the month preceding the introduction of free public transport. But officials are keeping their eyes on figures to see whether the trend will be sustained in the next weeks and months. As from last week, all persons using the personalised Tallinja card were not required to have credit on their card in order to use buses. Availing of free public trans- port requires commuters to tap their personalised Tallinja card on the ticket machine next to the bus driver every time they board the bus. Commuters without the card will still pay the full fare, and in- spectors can impose a €50 fine on passengers riding without having tapped their card. The Tallinja card is being re- tained to provide valuable statis- tical information which can help the authorities improve the bus service. When asked last month wheth- er government is expecting an increase in patronage after Oc- tober, the ministry indicated that an increase in the number of passenger trips was being an- ticipated, with the expectations being that by year-end figures will rise to the record patronage year of 2019. When asked whether the num- ber of buses will be increased in view of any expected demand for the service, the government spokesperson replied that "ex- pected passenger trips demand increases are being projected and factored in route frequency requirements." Bus users increase by 7% on first day of free transport Police suspensions, three face charges THREE police constables have been suspended from duty in relation to allegations of un- due violent conduct. An investigation into the case is ongoing and that Mag- istrate Elaine Mercieca is lead- ing an inquiry into the case. All three constables are sus- pected of having seriously failed to uphold their duties, including through the use of unnecessary violence against certain individuals. "Whilst the case is being in- vestigated, the police corps emphasises that it would not tolerate such behaviour from its members, the majority of whom carry out their duty seriously and loyally towards the society they are bound to serve and towards the corps," police said in a statement.