The move of the Valletta bus terminus from its long-standing home around the Triton Fountain outside City Gate caused long bus jams yesterday, but authorities said the transition had gone off without any “major issues”.
From yesterday, buses arriving in Valletta will be disembarking passengers at the area known as il-Biskuttin, opposite the Phoenicia Hotel, clearing the square outside City Gate of traffic as part of an extensive upgrading project.
The changes caused some confusion yesterday, with commuters reporting long queues of buses backed up the length of Sarria Street in the morning rush hour and at intervals throughout the day.
A spokeswoman for the Transport Ministry, which is managing the transition, said the new alighting area would be safer for passengers, who no longer need to cross the bus terminus to get to Valletta but would instead follow a pedestrian walkway to City Gate or to other bus bays.
More tweaking to arrangements will be introduced in the coming days
“Several officers have been deployed to this particular area to inform passengers about the changes and to guide commuters to their destination,” a spokeswoman said.
“No major issues were reported. However, more tweaking to these arrangements will be introduced in the coming days in order to further improve the alighting and boarding process.”
Works on the Triton Fountain area started in January with the removal of the old kiosks dotting the area, which will be replaced by more uniform structures, as well as a tourist information centre, once the project is complete.
The project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, will enter a new phase of works in the coming days with the installation of tree pits, services and irrigation reservoirs in the square, which will then be pedestrianised.
The area around the fountain will be cordoned off for safety during the works and pedestrians guided along a passageway to Valletta and Floriana.
The authorities have advised the public to follow the signs posted on site for the extent of the works.