Malta posts highest rise in bus usage across EU

Malta had the highest rise in public transport patronage levels across the EU, posting an overall increase of 39.7 per cent between 2010 and 2014, an international study has found. The report, due to be released today, was compiled by a Brussels-based International Association of Public Transport. According to the study, the number of journeys (defined as ‘board a public transport vehicle’) in Malta rose from 31.3 million in 2010 to 43.7 million in 2014. Over this period, public transport usage increased in 17 EU countries, though Malta was among seven countries where the growth was sustained throughout the entire period. On the other hand, Bulgaria fared the worst, as patronage levels decreased consistently. Nevertheless, Malta still lags behind the European average when taking into consideration the number of journeys made in comparison to population size. While, in 2014, every Maltese inhabitant made an average of 107 bus journeys a year, the EU average stood at 131. The EU-wide figure, however, includes journeys made using other forms of public transport not available on the island including suburban rail, the metro service and tram. From a wider perspective, in 2014, public...