Arriva buses drove into the new Valletta bus terminus tonight amid applause at the conclusion of the inauguration of the new terminus in St James Ditch.

The terminus was inaugurated by Transport Minister Austin Gatt in a ceremony which also featured speeches by representatives of Transport Malta and Arriva Malta.

At the end of the ceremony examples of each type of bus operated by Arriva - from the bendy buses to the Valletta mini-bus, drove in carrying children, amid applause y those present.

The new terminus is considerably smaller than the one it replaces, since the buses will hardly have any idle time. 

The old City Gate terminus had 50 departure points and about 100 idle buses at any one time. The new terminus has just 15 departure points.

Commuters will arrive at Valletta through Sarria Street and stop near the Phoenicia Hotel. Those leaving the capital will make their way to the terminus at St James' Ditch where electronic boards will tell them what bay to wait on for a particular destination.

Some finishing touches remain, including the installation of shelters and food and beverage kiosks.

See minister's speech at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110702/local/austin-gatt-drivers-who-don-t-want-to-go-to-work-should-be-sacked.373530

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