A Malta bus strike is rare. The best-known ones happened in 2015, when a dispute over which union represented drivers at Malta Public Transport led to a two-hour stoppage and, later, a strike that took dozens of routes out of service before agreements were reached. When we checked in early November 2026 we found no reports of a current driver strike. If you hear rumours, check Malta Public Transport’s service updates and the tallinja app, which show live disruptions, and have a backup plan: ferries, shared rides or a lift.
Below we explain what happened in past strikes, why buses usually keep partly running, how to check the situation on the day, and how to get to work or a night out if buses are disrupted. For everything else that changed on the network this year, see our summary of Malta transport changes in 2026.
Malta bus strike history in brief
Malta’s buses have been run since 2015 by Malta Public Transport, operated by the Spanish group Autobuses de León, part of ALSA. The company’s first year was also its most turbulent for industrial relations:
- Early 2015: a dispute between two unions, the GWU and UHM, over which of them should represent bus drivers. UHM ordered a two-hour evening stoppage, the company called it illegal and issued warning letters, and the Industrial Tribunal became involved in the recognition question.
- Later in 2015: a wage and conditions dispute led to a strike that, according to news reports at the time, put more than 70 routes out of service. A court ruling required a share of the service to keep running.
- Resolution: the disputes ended with agreements, including one on rest breaks for drivers.
Since then, disruption on Malta’s buses has mostly come from traffic, roadworks, weather and big events rather than strikes. That can change with any new dispute, so the habits below are worth having anyway.
Why buses usually keep partly running
During the 2015 dispute, a court ruled that the union had to keep part of the service running while the strike went ahead. In practice that means a strike in Malta usually looks like fewer buses and longer waits rather than no buses at all. Some routes may not run, and the busiest corridors, such as Valletta to Sliema and St Julian’s, can fill up quickly.
Malta also discussed treating public transport as an essential service, which would restrict strikes. Rules on industrial action can change, so follow the news if a dispute starts.
How to check for disruptions
- Malta Public Transport website: the operator’s site posts service updates, diversions and timetable changes.
- The tallinja app: it shows the live position of buses and marks affected stops with an alert. Save your usual routes and stops to get notifications. Our tallinja app guide explains the features.
- Social media: the operator and unions both announce industrial action publicly, usually a day or more in advance.
- Local news: Maltese news sites cover any strike call quickly, including which hours and routes are affected.
Tip: if you only hear about a strike from a forwarded message in a group chat, check the operator’s own channels before changing your plans.
Other things that disrupt buses
Strikes are the rare case. The common ones are:
- Roadworks and diversions on main roads.
- Festas and big events, when village centres close to traffic; see our guide to the Malta bus service on public holidays.
- Bad weather, with flooding on low roads after heavy rain.
- Utility works, such as water main repairs that close a street; see our guide to a Malta water outage.
- Timetable changes between summer and winter schedules.
- Traffic, which in Malta can add a lot of time at peak hours.
Backup plans if buses stop
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sliema to Valletta ferry | Crossing the harbour fast | Last departure times, especially in winter |
| Valletta to the Three Cities ferry | Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua | Timetable and weather |
| Ride-hailing apps and taxis | Door to door, late at night | Surge pricing when buses are down; share with others |
| Walking | Short hops, such as Sliema to Gżira or St Julian’s | Heat in summer, narrow pavements |
| Lift from a colleague or friend | Commutes | Agree it the evening before |
| Bicycle or e-scooter you own | Short trips | Traffic and road safety |
Our Valletta Sliema ferry guide has crossing times and prices.
A strike-day checklist
- The evening before: check the operator’s updates and the news for the hours and routes affected.
- Plan two routes: your normal bus and a backup (ferry, shared ride or lift).
- Charge your phone and keep the tallinja and a ride-hailing app logged in.
- Leave early: buses that do run will be fuller, and roads busier as more people drive.
- Carry water and a light layer in case you end up walking further than planned.
- Tell people: let your workplace, school or friends know you might be late.
If you are visiting Malta
For visitors, a disruption is mostly a question of where you are staying. If your hotel is in Sliema, St Julian’s or Valletta, you can walk to plenty of restaurants, bars and sights, and the harbour ferries connect the three. If you are in Buġibba, Qawra, Mellieħa or Marsaskala, you are more dependent on buses, so plan day trips on days without disruption and use shared rides for the essentials.
Airport transfers deserve special care. If you fly on a day with announced disruption, book a taxi or transfer in advance rather than relying on the airport bus routes, and allow extra time for traffic. Organised tours with their own transport are another simple way to keep a day trip on track.
Nights out during a disruption
- Stay local. Pick a venue you can walk to and from, or one by a ferry landing.
- Share rides home. Agree the group and split before you leave the venue, and book a few minutes early.
- Move the plan earlier. A dinner at 7pm is easier to get home from than a club at 2am.
- Check the night routes if the dispute only affects daytime services; our night bus Malta guide lists them.
Getting to work or class
- Tell your manager or school early if your commute depends on a long bus route.
- Ask whether you can work from home or shift your hours on the day.
- Coordinate lifts in a team chat; most offices in Malta have someone driving from your area.
- Leave earlier than usual: the buses that do run will be busier and slower.
Honest take: a full bus strike would be a big story in Malta, and you would hear about it in advance. The bigger day-to-day risk is traffic and diversions, so the same habits (check the app, have a backup, leave early) serve you every week. If you rely on buses for a long daily commute, it is also worth knowing one or two colleagues who drive your way, and keeping a small transport budget aside for the odd day when a shared ride is the only sensible option.
Want to turn a disrupted evening into an actual plan close to home? MeetNow is a free web app for meeting people in person, starting in Malta: a host posts a plan at a public place, such as a café within walking distance, sets the time and seats, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins from the people who ask with a short note. Open MeetNow and see the plans in Malta.
Featured photo: Valletta at night seen from Sliema. Photo: Vlad beu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. History based on 2015 reporting by Maltese news outlets, including MaltaToday, and service information from Malta Public Transport.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is there a bus strike in Malta right now?
Check Malta Public Transport’s service updates and the tallinja app, which show live disruptions. When we checked in early November 2026 we found no reports of a current bus driver strike.
When was the last big bus strike in Malta?
The best-known strikes were in 2015, during a dispute over union recognition and working conditions at Malta Public Transport. One strike took dozens of routes out of service before agreements were reached.
Do buses still run during a strike in Malta?
Often partly. In 2015 a court required a minimum share of the service to keep running during a strike. Expect fewer buses, longer waits and some routes not running at all.
How do I get around Malta if the buses stop?
Use the Sliema to Valletta and Three Cities ferries where they fit, ride-hailing apps or taxis shared with others, walking for short hops, and lifts from colleagues or friends.
Where are bus disruptions announced in Malta?
On the Malta Public Transport website and social media, and in the tallinja app, which marks affected stops with alerts and can notify you about saved routes and stops.
