The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, together with the Chairman of Transport Malta, today called a meeting with the Mayors of all local councils, during which the subject of public transport was discussed, including the impact of the new routes.
The Government said that it was a very constructive meeting which was attended by almost all local councils.
During the meeting, which was also attended by representatives of public transport operators as well as Transport Malta officials, it was noted that in many cases, complaints submitted by the public were more linked to the punctuality in service, rather than with the nature of the route.
On these complaints, the attention of the public transport operator, in turn, will be taking steps to tackle them.
A number of changes in Mater Dei will be implemented in the upcoming weeks.
Very few passengers boarded at St. Luke’s hospital on Mater Dei routes. The routes were thus unnecessarily lengthened. The buses will no longer stop at St. Luke’s hospital. Mater Dei Routes will be around 15 minutes faster. Instead Route 122 between Valletta and St. Luke’s hospital will have its frequency increased to every 20 minutes
Route X1 of 06:45 will no longer go through Mellieha centre to reduce the time it takes to reach Mater Dei hospital and University from Cirkewwa. This follows suggestions by Gozitan students.
Transport Malta and the Mater Dei administration identified a different location for parked buses at the University interchange. The current congestion that results in particular times will thus be reduced.
Mater Dei routes, route X1 and X2 will serve Mater Dei hospital and University. Passengers will no longer need to change buses at the University interchange.