Transport Minister Ian Borg has asked Transport Malta and Public Works for their latest plans of St James’ Ditch, Valletta, with Borg calling the situation facing bus commuters each day as “unacceptable.”

St James’ Ditch was open to bus commuters as of 2015 after more routes and buses were added to the fleet, requiring more space to cater for the demand.

The area around the newly restored Triton Fountain was pedestrianised further requiring the space at St James’ Ditch for the public bus service.

With V18 looming, it was aimed that the area would be ready by the end of 2017. Asked what stages the area is in, Borg said that he has asked Transport Malta and Public Works to provide the latest versions of their plans.

He said that the biggest priority is to protect people from the natural elements. Currently the bus terminus at St James’ Ditch has temporary structures in the summer time from 2015 when the area began being used for the buses.

Borg continued to say that many people have expressed concern via e-mail about being exposed to the elements when waiting to use the public transport service.

He also added that the area needs further “vertical mobility opportunities”, explaining later in Parliament that this meant a lift from the ditch to Castille Square.

Trees that were on site before it was used for a bus terminus were successfully transplanted to another site in Santa Venera. The transplanting operation was carried out by ELC, which is responsible for the upkeep of public landscaping and has been doing these types of interventions with success for the past 13 years.