Free buses close to Christmas

Public transport will be free of charge between December 22 and Christmas eve, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett and Environment Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.

The free service will cover all routes between 5.30 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. This is the first time public transport will be provided for free.

This was one in a series of initiatives being taken to improve traffic, particularly in areas including Paceville and St Julians, that attract a lot of people during Christmas.

The initiatives were possible following talks with the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU and with the support of the Malta Transport Authority, the Public Transport Association and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The initiative should encourage more people to use public transport, thus reducing congestion and increasing safety on the road.

Mr Mugliett said other intitiates included the implementation of a park and ride system at the former parade grounds near Luxol in Pembroke between December 14 and January 6 from 10.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays to Thursdays and from 10.30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

A shuttle service from the former parade grounds to Paceville and back will also be provided. While parking will be free of charge, the shuttle service will cost 20c (€0.47) each way between 10.30 a.m. and 11 p.m. and 25c each way (€0.58) after 11 p.m.

Mr Mugliett said the ADT will also be reopening for traffic Triq il-Baltiku, beneath the Manwel Dimech bridge, in the direction of Spinola Bay between December 20 and January 6.

Moreover, between December 14 and January 6, Triq l-Ibrag, in Tal-Balal will be opened for one-way traffic towards Ta' l-Ibrag between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m.