Government Unveils €2.8 Billion Light Rail Plan as Part of New Transport Strategy
· Updated
In brief
- The government has launched "Malta in Motion," a new long-term programme to reshape the country's transport system.
- A key part of the plan is a €2.8 billion light rail line, intended to connect Malta International Airport to St Paul's Bay.
- Transport Minister Chris Bonett announced the 15-year strategy, with coring tests for the light rail expected to start next week.
The Maltese government has introduced a new long-term initiative called "Malta in Motion," aimed at significantly transforming how people travel across the islands. This comprehensive programme is designed to address current transport challenges and prepare for future needs over the next 15 years.
Central to this ambitious plan is the development of a light rail line, projected to cost €2.8 billion. This new infrastructure will establish a crucial link between Malta International Airport and St Paul's Bay, offering a modern public transport alternative.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett officially announced the initiative, highlighting its importance for the country's future mobility. The minister indicated that preliminary coring tests for the light rail project are scheduled to commence next week, marking the first tangible steps towards its implementation.
The announcement event itself, held in the Old Railway Garden, was briefly affected by a sudden rain shower, which caused guests to seek shelter before the presentation could proceed fully.
The Spin Room
Low media divide. Both independent outlets reported on the government's new transport strategy and light rail plans factually.
Updates
- : Updated with reporting from Newsbook and The Maltese Herald, clarifying that this new light rail plan replaces earlier, more ambitious metro proposals.