Ferry services to and from Valletta will operate until 4am on New Year’s Eve, with buses also running late into the night, as an estimated 50,000 people descend on the capital to ring in the new year.
Organisers have advised the public to leave their cars at home in an effort to stave off traffic jams. Transport Malta will operate a special shuttle after the end of the regular public transport service, while the Barrakka lift will also run until 2am.
“New Year’s Eve sees one of the biggest events in Valletta concluding a year-long programme of projects and activities organised by the V18 Foundation,” foundation chairman Jason Micallef said at a press conference this morning.
“The event will also celebrate the 450-year anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone in Valletta.”
Tomorrow’s festivities in St George’s Square will kick off at 8pm with acoustic band Musique will be warming up the crowd with some jazz music, followed by The Crowns. Members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will also be performing on the night, as will special guests Glen Vella and Kevin Borg.
Mr Micallef also promised visitors a unique “surprise” on the night, not mentioning who or what it would consist of.
The evening’s festivities will peak with an extensive projection display on the façade of the Grandmaster’s Palace, leading to the countdown ushering in the New Year. The projections pay tribute to Valletta’s 450-year anniversary by depicting scenes and characters from the city’s history.
Following the countdown, Gianni and Pawlu Borg Bonaci will continue to entertain audiences, ending the night with some of their best comedy.
The event is being organised by the V18 Foundation in collaboration with the culture and tourism ministries and the Valletta Local Council.
SPECIAL BUS SERVICE
Malta Public Transport will be operating a special service between tomorrow evening and Friday at 2.30am as follows:
|
Bay in Valletta Terminus |
Route |
Destination |
|
A1 |
S13 |
Pieta - Msida - Gzira - Sliema Ferries - St.Julian's - Paceville |
|
A2 |
S20 |
Pieta - Msida - Rue D'argens - Mrabat - San Gwann - Kappara |
|
A3 |
S30 |
Pieta - Msida - Skate Park - Bypass - Iklin - Gharghur - Naxxar - Mosta - Burrmarrad - Bugibba |
|
A4 |
S40 |
Pieta - Msida - Birkirkara Valley - Lija - Mosta - Mgarr (Optional) |
|
A7 |
S41 |
Pieta - Msida - Mosta - St - Paul's Bay - Xemxija - Mellieha - Cirkewwa |
|
A9 |
S50 |
Hamrun - Fleur De Lys - Attard - Rabat - Mtarfa (On Request) - Dingli |
|
A10 |
S60 |
Hamrun - Marsa - Qormi - Zebbug - Siggiewi (On Request) |
|
A11 |
S80 |
Marsa - Paola - Tarxien - Zejtun - Ghaxaq - Marsaxlokk - Birzebbuga |
|
A13 |
S90 |
Paola - Fgura - Zabbar - Marsaskala |
|
A14 |
S10 |
Senglea - Cospicua - Vittoriosa - Kalkara – Xghajra (On Request) |
|
A15 |
S70 |
Luqa - Kirkop - Safi - Zurrieq - Mqabba - Qrendi |
A reduced service will operate on New Year’s Day. The Sunday time schedule will be followed but service will stop for a few hours at lunchtime with the last buses leaving between 10 and 11.30am.
Operations will resume between 3 and 4pm with the last evening services terminating at 9pm. Night services will operate as usual.
More information on 2122 2000.