The transport watchdog and the ministry are in talks to speed up roadworks in Msida to ease congestion, but no target date has yet been set.

“I’m insisting the work is done in the shortest possible time. I’m insisting on more manpower, and if needs be, [Msida] works to go on during the weekend,” Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said yesterday.

The work includes transforming a service road from Pietà to Msida into a bus lane but for the past few weeks commuters have complained of traffic jams making them late for their jobs.

Mr Mizzi was speaking following the commissioning of a new vessel that ferries people between Valletta and Sliema. He said this was a way to avoid congestion and parking problems.

“The traffic problem has been there for years. It is clear the traffic infrastructure was not adequate in the past years, let alone now, with 11,000 new vehicles having been registered in one year alone,” he said.

“Even the EU recognised our problem, and although it does not fund road projects anymore, it will be co-funding the Marsa junction.”

The government was carrying out various major road projects, but the crucial point was to shift commuters on to public transport, particularly buses, he said. Once a new, efficient bus service was introduced, the government would be taking measures to encourage people not to use their cars.

In the meantime, works at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Kappara and Marsa junctions have been moved forward.

The Marsa project aims to ease congestion in the Addolorata Cemetery area by removing all traffic lights and roundabouts and building two flyovers and a bridge. Among other short-term measures, Mr Mizzi said he would propose that bus lanes should also be open for car pooling and energy efficient vehicles.

Ferry good service

Commuting from Sliema to Valletta will now take only five minutes with the launch of a new catamaran that can ferry up to 160 passengers across Marsamxett harbour.

TopCat One yesterday replaced a vessel that could carry 90 commuters. The service has been provided by Marsamxetto Steamferry Services Ltd since 1991.

The company operates 46 daily departures between Sliema and Valletta and another 46 between the capital and the Three Cities between October and April. During the rest of the year it provides 50 daily trips between Sliema and Valletta and another 50 to the Three Cities.

The number of trips and ticket fee will not change, and in December a second catamaran will replace the ferry currently operating to the Three Cities to increase the capacity to 160 commuters.

The standard one way fare is €1.50 while the return fare is €2.80

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