The Ministry for Urban Development and Roads yesterday reported increasing patronage of the new public transport routes being operated to the Mater Dei hospital.

Introduced three weeks ago, on 1 July, the direct routes run from Birzebbuga, Senglea, Mqabba, Gudja, Dingli, Siggiewi, Cirkewwa, Naxxar, St Paul’s Bay and Sliema. Route 75 from Valletta to St Luke’s Hospital also goes past Mater Dei on its way to the Valletta

terminus.

The ministry said that the direct routes carried 2,965 passengers in the first week, 6,053 in the second week and 6,986 in the third week. Route 75 carried 9,943 passengers in the first week, 13,613 in the second and 13,439 in the third.