Biz News Flash

China-made buses make up 66% Malta's new public bus system

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-07-05 10:56

VALLETTA -- Malta's new public bus system was launched here on Saturday evening, and 174 China-made buses were delivered, accounting for 66 percent of the country's bus pool.

The energy-saving Chinese buses would help reduce noxious gas emissions in the island country with a population of 400,000.

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The arrival of the 9-meter and 12-meter buses, made by King Long company based in Southeast China's coastal city Xiamen, helped realize the largest-scale bus system upgrade in Maltese history, Malta's Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Minister Austin Gatt said at a ceremony marking the start of the new system.

It will also further promote the country's tourism, he added.

By delivering the buses with a total worth of over 15 million euros ($21 million), King Long accomplished its biggest deal in the European Union market since it began business there in 2005, according to the company.

All the buses, which meet the Euro V emissions standards, are environment-friendly and energy-efficient. They are equipped with real-time station information display, advanced location and navigation systems, and special facilities for the disabled to get on and off, the company added.

The old buses in Malta have an average 30-year service term and produce lots of emissions.