ABE60: P13-6205
PUBLIC TRANSPORT REFORMS AND THEIR
IMPACT ON ACCESSIBILITY:
THE CASE OF MALTA
Dr Maria Attarda and Ms Deborah Mifsudb
aSenior
Lecturer in Geography, Director, Institute for Sustainable Development, University of Malta, Email: maria.attard@um.edu.mt
bPost-graduate
Student, Institute for Sustainable Development, University of Malta, Email: dmif0017@um.edu.mt
ABSTRACT
Modal Choice 1989-2010
Description of Indicator
Total land area (incl. Gozo and Comino)
Percentage of built-up land
Population
Population density per km2 of built up area
Licensed vehicles on the road
Percentage private vehicles
Private passenger vehicles per 1000 inhabitants
Estimated annual vehicle km for private vehicles
Share of car as percentage of all trips
Length of road network
Estimated number of vehicles per km of road
Public transport modes
Public transport patronage in million passengers
2000
316 km2
23.6%
391,415
5,275
246,825
75%
473
9,000 km
70%
2,227 km
111
bus, ferry, taxi
31.2
2010
316 km2
26.5%
417,617
4,983
304,705
76%
555
9,840 km
71%
2,254 km
135
bus, ferry, taxi
32
70
60
Percentage Distribution
This poster represents the perceptions of the Maltese elderly population on public transport
service quality (with particular reference to accessibility) before and after a major regulatory
and operational reform in the public transport system in July 2011. Data was collected by
means of three surveys carried out over a period of a year before and after the reform
(March 2011, November 2011, May 2012). A profile of elderly mobility is also presented,
however the most significant results are the changes in perception over quality and
accessibility made possible through the reform.
50
1989
40
1998
30
2010
20
10
0
Car Driver
Car Passenger
Bus
Minibus/Coach
Motorbike
On Foot
Other
Figure 1: Modal Choice Change between 1989 and 2010 (Source: Transport Malta, 2011)
Table 1: Relevant socio-economic and transport indicators for Malta. Compiled from NSO (2011a)
Malta is a highly car dependent state and has a growing ageing society with the elderly
representing some 19.12 per cent of the entire population (NSO, 2007). Projections show
that the elderly population, particularly females will continue to increase dramatically in the
near future. The number of old people possessing a valid driving license is increasing.
Indeed between 2001 and 2011 the steepest increase in driving license holders has been for
people aged over 60 years.
Figure 2: Population pyramids for 2010, 2025 and 2060 highlighting the projected increase in
the elderly population in Malta (Source: NSO, 2011b)
General Characteristics
Perceptions of the infrequent and non bus users
Perceptions of frequent bus users
The public transport reform introduced new routes and bus
stops, improving the spatial accessibility for the elderly
population.
Figures 5 and 6 show the best and worst ranked
perceptions on service quality by the infrequent and non
public transport users. These changed following the reform.
The best ranked perceptions before the reform were mainly
related to the ticket availability and security whilst those
after the reform concerned mainly accessibility, comfort
and staff attitude.
Shopping remained the main travel purpose for the elderly
using public transport regularly. The largest increase
between March 2011 and May 2012 was for errands and
leisure purposes.
According to the elderly frequent bus users, the main
positive changes after the reform have been in the staff
attitude, fare price, accessibility and comfort. The
negative changes have been mainly in the seating capacity,
journey time and outside facilities infrastructure.
B est R an ked
May-12
Figure 3: Spatial Accessibility - Minutes to the closest bus
stop
The elderly were asked for their overall satisfaction with
the service and whilst it rated lower in November 2011
(post-reform) it improved by the following May (2012).
Nov-11
Ambience/Cleanliness
Seating/Bus Capacity
Pollution
Mar-11
Journey Time
Figure 5: Best ranked perceptions on service quality
Percentage
50
40
March 2011
November 2011
30
May 2012
20
The worst ranked perceptions before the reform were
mainly related to environmental matters and staff attitude,
whilst those after the reform concerned temporal
accessibility and dependability.
10
Outside Facilities
Fare Price
May-12
Frequency
W o rst R an ked
60
Drivers/Staff Attitude
Nov-11
Punctuality
Bus Condition
Comfort
0
1(low)
2
3
4
5 (high)
Mar-11
Ranking
Accessibility
Figure 4: Overall Satisfaction Level
0
20
30
40
50
60
70
Percentage
References
NSO (National Statistics Office), 2007. Census of Population and Housing
2005- Volume 1: Population. Malta.
NSO (National Statistics Office), 2011a. News Releases. www.nso.gov.mt
NSO (National Statistics Office), 2011b. Demographic Review 2010. Malta
Transport Malta, 2010. National Household Travel Survey. Malta.
Figure 7: Best and worst ranked issues by frequent bus users
Figure 6: Worst ranked perceptions on service quality
Institute for Sustainable Development
Room OH132, University of Malta
Msida MSD2080, Malta
10
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the support of Transport Malta in the
conduct of this study. The information contained herein however does
not reflect the views or policies of the supporting organisation.
Visit our website at www.um.edu.mt/isd