The proposed line will connect St Paul’s Bay to the Malta International Airport via Valletta, Qormi and Mater Dei
In 10-15 years time, you could travel from St Paul’s Bay to the airport by train.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett unveiled Malta’s latest official train proposal last night as part of ‘Malta in Motion’, a wider long-term plan that seeks to integrate public transport, walking, cycling, parking management, ferries and, eventually a train.
So let’s start with the train. The proposed line, designed by Arup, will be around 24km, connecting St Paul’s Bay to the Malta International Airport via Valletta, Qormi and Mater Dei Hospital. It will be a light rail system which will include underground, street-level and overground components.
It is estimated to be up and running in around 10-15 years time.
Of course, we’ve been here before, with a larger ‘Malta Metro’ vision having been launched a few years ago. However, this new plan is estimated to cost €2.8 billion, as opposed to the original €6 million, making it more financially feasible.
And it’s part of a wider transport plan that includes the eventual redesign of the bus network, with stronger links to key centres of activity, and the integration of ferry routes. A new ferry route connecting Sliema to Buġibba and Gozo is set to launch in the coming weeks, while a route from Marsascala to Valletta is also on the agenda.
There will also be investment in infrastructure to promote walking and cycling as the first and last mile connections to public transport, while the plan also includes better managed parking to support access to the transport system.