Following the announcement of Malta's 15-year national transport plan earlier in the day, Transport Minister Chris Bonett shared how this national programme will be implemented over the coming decade and a half.
On the light-rail rapid transit system (the metro) Minister Bonett said construction the La Vallette line, line 1 of this rapid transit system, is projected to commence in five to 10 years' time.
He added that from the moment construction begins, it should take between three and four years to finish Phase 1 of this route, i.e., from Malta International Airport to Valletta. This means that the first functional parts of this metro service will become operational in the first half of the early 2030s.
Once this phase is running, all other transport modes will be adapted to centre around the rapid transit system, as construction for the rest of the line continues up to St. Paul's Bay.
The La Vallette line will be completed in 10-15 years, Minister Bonett said. He added that the idea is that, from the country's northern to southern regions, people have a station located close to them so they can use the metro to travel quickly across the country's length.
At the moment, for the next 18 months, authorities will be conducting testing, urban planning and financing, geotechnical investigations, site analysis, financial modelling, options assessment, and selection to eventually be able to determine what the rapid transit system, and the whole synchronised transport network, will truly look like. In the next two years, the stations' locations will be pinpointed.
The first geotechnical tests for this metro line will start on 4 May 2026 in Floriana, followed by Qormi the following week. These investigations will determine if stations should be underground, at-grade, or elevated.
In the next couple years, we should also expect the full electrification of Gozo's buses, the opening of the Sliema-Buġibba-Gozo fast ferry, the Marsascala-Valletta fast ferry, phase 1 of the C-SAM network, parking areas near the Marsascala P&R and the Sliema quay, the announcement of carpooling initiatives, and works to promote walking.
Permits for the La Vallette line will go to the Planning Authority for approval in the next two-to-five years, as well as a new bus service (through a new concession), the analysis for more quays, updated wharfs, and potentially more ferries, the completion of Phase 2 of the C-SAM network, and the beginning of a cultural shift away from cars.
In 10-15 years from now, the rapid transit system will look to expand. Minister Bonett said that the idea for additional lines are already at preliminary stages, though will not be published till then.
Concluding this press conference, Minister Bonett appealed for true cooperation and no political bickering to take over this transport discussion.
"I really wish, for the future generations, that we can really cooperate together on this project," he said.
He said that the idea for this 15-year plan is set, though the actual details are subject to change till implementation.
"This should not be a political argument anymore. This should be something we all agree on," Bonett said.