After an 80-year absence, trains could make a comeback in Malta, as the government is studying proposals to develop a railway system to address the ever-increasing traffic congestion problems.

Though no decisions have been taken yet, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi yesterday said the government had already been ap-proached by private investors keen to introduce this form of mass transport. However, no further details were given.

“We are considering a wide range of options, including proposals presented by the private sector. We cannot continue to look at just one form of transport,” Mr Mizzi said.

The minister was speaking during the annual general meeting of the Chamber of Engineers, which focused on the challenges and opportunities related to the transport and energy sectors.

We are considering a wide range of options, including proposals by the private sector

Reacting to a remark made by Chamber president Norman Zammit, who urged the authorities to consider alternate forms of transport, such as rail, Mr Mizzi welcomed the suggestion, saying the government was already looking into such a possibility. The minister said Transport Malta was drafting a national strategy which would pave the way for a long-term policy, as well as a master plan incorporating transport by land, air and sea. This will identify areas for intervention and detailed action plans, he said.

Inaugurated in 1883, the Malta Railway ceased operations in 1931, in the wake of the harsh competition from the buses. The service used to depart from the City Gate tunnel in Valletta and re-emerged at Portes des Bombes in Floriana, with the last stop at Mtarfa.

Amid mounting traffic problems, last year, entrepreneur Anġlu Xuereb revived the idea of a €300 million monorail system originally presented 20 years ago.

Rather than excavating underwater tunnels across the Grand Harbour, the revised plan included alternate routes, which would be less costly to excavate.

Consisting of four underground stations located at Mater Dei Hospital, Valletta, Fgura and Marsa, the monorail system would be interconnected with a series of tunnels.