Changes to the X1 route means Gozitans will face a bigger hassle, more waste of time and greater difficulty in planning trips between the islands, a new pressure group has said.

Front Favur Il-Mina said it is deeply concerned with the recent change to the X1 route, the only express route from Ċirkewwa to the centre of Malta.

Firstly, the Mater Dei stop has been removed from the X1 route, which means Gozitan students living in Swatar, and additionally, Gozitans who must specifically go to Mater Dei Hospital, will have to seek alternative routes.

Secondly, the journey to Cirkewwa will take longer, as the X1 bus now passes through the busy centre of Mellieha.

"Missing the ferry by a few minutes was a common occurrence, now this will become the norm," the front said. 

The pressure group called on the authorities to re-evaluate the recent changes to this route and hopes that there will be further changes in the coming days, so as to alleviate these problems.