Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517916
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MARCH 2024 6 INTERVIEW Chris Bonett: 'Traffic solutions should not burden motorists financially' CHRIS Bonett is adamant that govern- ment will not impose financial burdens on motorists in a bid to address traffic con- gestion problems. The Transport Minister insists that "re- organisation and optimisation" of existing roads and services is the way forward to try and mitigate traffic congestion. However, he frankly admits as I sit down with him for this interview in his office at Belt is-Sebħ that "no one has the magic wand" that will make traffic disappear. Bonett was appointed transport minister in January following a Cabinet reshuffle that saw him catapulted into the hot seat. When I ask about plans for a metro, Bonett says from the figures he has seen so far, he is not satisfied that such a massive undertaking will not be a financial burden on the country. Instead, he says, the country should be looking at exploiting the sea more. He adds that the introduction of free ferries between Valletta and Sliema, and Borm- la earlier this year has seen an upsurge of commuters using the service. "The people who used the ferry, either left their car at home, or else drove to the landing place and opted to complete the last part of the journey to Valletta by boat. This is already one car less on the road at a particular time and for part of the jour- ney," Bonett says. The ministry, he adds, is working on a short-term plan that will include several interventions to maximise existing road space and improve services such as the free school transport, which is only used by 40% of students. As for the bus service, he says talks are underway with the operator to analyse whether the route network should be amended to cater for today's needs. He reveals that from Monday 25 March, the Tal-Linja app will be upgraded to allow commuters to see where a bus has ar- rived. With the Planning Authority approving the Msida Creek road project, works on this important junction are expected to start later this year, creating a nightmare scenario for motorists. Bonett acknowledges the prospective works will cause inconvenience but says a project manager will be appointed to serve as a contact point for local councils and stakeholders. "We hope that in this way, any issues that may arise will be addressed as quickly as possible," he says. On the Qormi roundabout known as l-Imgħallaq, which has become a bottle- neck for traffic passing to Luqa and Żeb- buġ, Bonett says Infrastructure Malta will carry out several interventions to improve traffic flow and make the area safer. He says the short-term interventions will be similar to the hairpin junctions intro- duced at St Andrew's and will be ready by September before schools reopen. How- ever, he adds, the area will be completely overhauled to cater for future traffic de- mands in the longer term. Transport Minister Chris Bonett stepped into the hot seat last January to face the perennial concern over traffic congestion, a transport authority beleaguered by scandal and a bus service that has seen higher patronage but no less cars using the streets. He speaks to KURT SANSONE.