Entrepreneur Anglu Xuereb has updated his plans for a rail-based transport system. Instead of tunnels below sea level to cut across the harbours, he is suggesting inland subways closer to the road surface and a monorail transportation system.

Mr Xuereb originally submitted a metro proposal 23 years ago but the project was deemed too expensive by the government. “This time around, the government is more receptive,” he said.

He is proposing four main underground stations: one close to Mater Dei Hospital, another in Valletta and the others in Fgura and Marsa. Six kilometres of track would be underground where, he notes, it is “easy to dig tunnels” due to the geology of the islands. Another 1.5 kilometre-long stretch in Marsa would be above ground.

His original proposal would have cost €400 million in today’s money. His newly revised proposal is estimated to cost about €300 million.

The largest expense would be the building of an underground car park able to take 2,000 vehicles at each station.

The project would also include electric cabins or buggies used at transportation nodes. A number of them would circle Valletta, he said, encouraging commuters to venture off the common paths of Republic and Merchants streets.

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