The Park and Ride car park in Floriana is expected to open for business tomorrow as workers applied the finishing touches in recent days.

Workers have been working for 12 hours a day to meet the deadline.

Under the scheme, motorists can park outside Valletta and are then transported to the capital by air-conditioned minivans. The car park is expected to provide over 900 parking spaces. Both parking and the shuttle service will be provided free.

The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is buying 20 bikes, which more athletic people will be able to use for free to cycle into Valletta.

Together with other traffic measures - including the controlled vehicular access scheme through which cars will be charged for entering the capital city - it is hoped that the Park and Ride system will reduce traffic flows through Floriana into Valletta by up to 50 per cent.

The vans will pick up people from five sheltered bus stops around the car park and take them to Valletta. A van will leave every four minutes during peak hours - probably between 7.30 and 9 a.m. and 4.30 and 6 p.m. - and every 10 minutes during other times.

The car park will be open between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. to cater for evening activities in Valletta.