Arriva confirms new bus order for Malta

Arriva Malta has announced it has placed an order for 174 new buses with Chinese bus manufacturer Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co. Ltd (King Long). The order confirms Arriva’s commitment, made when it won the 10-year contract, to replace a large part of the island’s ageing bus fleet.

King Long will be supplying Arriva with 49 new 9-metre buses and 125 new 12-metre buses. All buses are diesel low-floor vehicles providing easy access, and will feature Euro V engines, air conditioning, comfortable seating, and real time passenger information displays including next scheduled stop announcements.

Arriva’s Keith Bastow, said: “Arriva is replacing a large part of the island’s bus fleet as part of our commitment to delivering first class service for passengers. As such, it is essential that new vehicles greatly improve passenger comfort and reduce the environmental impact of transport in Malta – we believe that King Long have demonstrated they have the high quality manufacturing standards to produce vehicles to deliver upon these requirements.

“Our investment in new buses and advanced technology for passengers is set to put Malta ahead of many major European cities, with a public transport system of which the people of Malta can be proud. The vision of the Maltese government is for a 21st century public transport system. Arriva, with our partners the Tumas Group, and suppliers such as King Long, have the skills and expertise to make that vision a reality.”

Keith added: “In recent years King Long has developed as a bus manufacturer and I have been impressed by their hard work and commitment to improvement. King Long has earned a good reputation for quality, design and customer service within the international bus industry.”

Arriva will start operating bus services in Malta and Gozo, under a 10-year contract to Transport Malta, on 3 July 2011.