Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said that what happens at major events outside of Malta in terms of public transport challenges is “no excuse”, and that government must roll up its sleeves and work harder to improve the service at future events.

Borg was responding to questions by The Malta Independent after controversy erupted on social media when reports came in that people had to wait for up to three hours to get on a bus after the Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture opening ceremony last Saturday.

Roughly 110,000 were reported to have attended. Many of those people chose to use the public transport service after the show, leading to major queues and disruptions.

Many pointed fingers at Transport Malta for failing to pre-empt the massive number of people looking to use the service after the show, saying that as usual the service was badly organised.

Others were quick to defend it by saying that at any major event in Europe, such as football games and music concerts, it is always very difficult to use public transport after and people must plan ahead for this.

There were also sections of people complaining that the service was adequate, but that people in Malta do not know how to keep an orderly queue, making the situation more stressful than it needed to be.

Asked about whether the service could be better organised, or whether it was something to be expected, Borg said:

“I think the government, and more so the artists who contributed, showed how as a people we can organise big events for the masses. Since you have a disproportionate number of people who normally do not use public transport, this created a major challenge on the service.

“The fact that this happens outside of the country is no excuse. We must work so that in other activities, and this year there will definitely be others, we must continue to improve the service.”

The Valletta 2018 European City of Culture opening event took place last Saturday evening. The main spectacles were put in place by various theatre, choreography, animation and lighting companies coming from Malta and overseas.

There were four main shows taking place, that of St George’s Square, Castille Square, Tritons Square and St John’s Cathedral Square.

Despite the controversy surrounding the public transport service, the event was overall praised for the massive efforts put in place by the artistic community.

Many historical buildings were also restored to celebrate Valletta’s year of culture, such as the facade of St John’s Co-Cathedral, Manoel Theatre, Palazzo Ferreira and Palazzo Verdelin.