Exploratory work starts on new bus terminus

Pits started being drilled in St James Ditch outside the Valletta bastions yesterday as government employees explored the rock structure ahead of construction works on the new bus terminus.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Austin Gatt said last February the bus terminus would be moved from City Gate to the nearby ditch, possibly as early as December.

The area around the Tritons Fountain will be pedestrianised, in keeping with the Piano project for City Gate.

The new terminus will be much smaller than the present one because the transport reform will see fewer idle buses. The terminus will also have better facilities, with rest areas for drivers, passengers and transport officials. The kiosks will be relocated and be of a higher standard.

Dr Gatt said it was estimated there would be about 15 buses in the parking/embarkation bays at any one time. Idle buses would be parked around the corner in the ditch bordering Ġlormu Cassar Avenue.

Total cost was expected to be just over €3 million, which would be 66 per cent below the original proposal, made some years ago, for the terminus to be moved underground at City Gate, Dr Gatt said.