Traffic arrangements being introduced for the Tre Re Notte Magica event on Saturday will help encourage more people to visit the capital, Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said yesterday.

Announcing details of the arrangements, the minister said that, in conjunction with the Police, the Transport Authority (ADT) and the Bus Drivers’ Association (ATP), the ministry has devised a system that will encourage more people to make use of public transport.

Only 26.6 per cent of those attending Notte Bianca in October used public transport, he said, adding that only the use of public transport will increase attendances for major events held in Valletta.

Research carried out by the Research and Business Planning Unit of the Malta Tourism Authority showed that over 20,000 people failed to go to the Notte Bianca event because they could not make it to Valletta.

Dr Zammit Dimech said he was determined to see that this did not happen again on Saturday.

The minister insisted that the two activities are not similar.

“While Notte Bianca focused more on cultural activities, and the opening of museums until late into the night, Notte Magica has a higher dose of entertainment, using Valletta’s squares to hold concerts and so on. It is an opportunity to showcase local talent”, he said.

All public transport routes will operate regularly to and from Valletta. The last journey from Valletta will leave at 2.30am but this may be extended, according to demand. The last journey from towns and villages will leave at 1am. As from 4pm on Saturday, trips will run every 10 minutes according to schedule or according to demand, with the exception of the following routes that will operate every 30 minutes: Senglea (3), Gudja (8), Santa Lucija (15), Xaghjra (21), Marsaxlokk (27), Qrendi (35), Attard (40), Birkirkara St Helen(42), Ghajn Tuffieha (47), Siggiewi (89) and Qormi (91).

Temporary termini will be set up in Sliema (Ferry), Paola main square, Qormi (near the Health Centre), Birkirkara (near the old Train Station), Mosta (near Paramount) and Luqa square.

Until 9.30pm the standard bus fares will apply for all routes. After 9.30pm, bus fares will be 50 cents per adult and 25 cents per child aged between three and 10.

All public transport vehicles will travel through a fast inner lane in specific areas that will be indicated by a special diversion traffic sign. The public is advised to abide by these traffic signs and police instructions to prevent congestion and for safety reasons.

To further encourage people to use public transport, commuters are being asked to retain their bus ticket receipt which entitles them to participate in the ADT lottery to be drawn on 5 February. Tickets are to be posted or taken to the ADT offices, Sa Maison Hill, Pieta, along with the name and telephone number on the reverse. The prizes for the winning tickets containing the event date and time are Lm600, Lm300 and Lm100 for the first, second and third prize respectively.

The bus ticket will also entitle the holder to a Lm5 voucher from any of the Matrix Outlets in Republic Street, Valletta, Bisazza Street, Sliema or Bay Street, St Julian’s. The voucher is redeemable against a minimum purchase of Lm20 and is valid until the end of January. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer from Matrix outlets.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier said that access to Valletta for lightweight and private vehicles will be interrupted at peak hours. Free access at all hours is granted to all forms of public transport and to Valletta and Floriana residents, on presentation of their identity cards. Coaches and minibuses may drop off and collect patrons at the Valletta bus terminus (around Triton fountain) and park next to the Licensing Department. The fully-operational Park and Ride system will operate until 2.30am.

In addition, the Marsamxetto Steam Ferry Service Ltd will be providing a ferry service from Sliema Ferry and Birgu Waterfront, Valletta Marsamxetto and Ta’ Liesse respectively. The service will run from 5.30pm until 2am at 15 minutes intervals. If necessary, the ferry will operate on a shuttle service. A regular route bus 98 will operate around Valletta, picking up and dropping off ferry patrons requiring transport to and from the centre for a nominal charge of 25 cents per person one way.

Gozo Channel will also run a special schedule, with the last ferry leaving Cirkewwa at midnight.

The Family and Social Solidarity Ministry premises, Palazzo Ferreria, will be open for to the public during Notte Magica. Agenzija Sedqa, together with the Institute of Tourism Studies, will be serving “mocktails” (alcohol-free cocktails) in the Ministry’s courtyard.