Metro would consist of four lines, one linked to Gozo – Simon Busuttil
The Light Rail Metro proposed by the Nationalist Party, which would cost €2.3 billion, would consist of four lines, one of which will be linked to Gozo, PN leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday.
Addressing the press at the Msida Marina, Dr Busuttil explained the party’s transport pledges to the press, throughout which he explained the creation of a metro as a mode of transport in further detail.
The first line would run from Valletta to Msida, Sliema and St Julians and vice versa. The second would run from Valletta, to Birkirkara, Ta’ Qali, Mosta, Naxxar and vice versa. The third would run from Valletta to Paola, the airport, Fgura, Cottonera, Żabbar, Marsascala and vice versa. The fourth line would run from St Julians to Ċirkewwa, Mġarr (Gozo), Victoria (Gozo) and vice versa.
The first line would cost €425m to construct, and annual operational costs would amount to €10 million. The second would cost €625 million to construct and €14m to operate. The third line would cost €595m to construct and €10m to operate. The fourth line would cost €700m to construct and €22m to operate annually.
Asked by The Malta Independent how the Gozo tunnel would work in relation to the planned metro line, Dr Busuttil said that the metro is to connect Malta and Gozo using the same tunnel infrastructure.
Dr Busuttil was also asked how a PN government would pay for this €2.3 billion project, to which he replied that it would be a private-public partnership. He also said that the party plans not to touch ODZ land when constructing the metro as they want to “protect the land which is left.”
However, he said, if they are at a point where there is no an alternative, a decision whether to go ahead or not will have to be taken by two-thirds of Parliament in order to proceed.
When asked about the planned cost for metro tickets, Dr Busuttil said that the price would be similar to the price of public transport as it is today, and would depend on the proposals from the companies who express interest.