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NEWS NEWS 11 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 THE Nationalist Party's met- ro project can be built within five years, a financial feasibility study commissioned by Infra- structure Malta in 2023 shows. The study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, a big four audit firm, evaluated gov- ernment's original metro pro- ject for three lines, which had been designed by Arup, a con- sultancy firm. Titled Project Hestia, the confidential document seen by MaltaToday, estimated that three metro lines—Red, Blue and Green—with a network length of 29km would be de- veloped in 5.3 years. The three underground routes, which covered the central-eastern regions, were defined by In- frastructure Malta and based on population and workplace density. Ironically, despite the govern- ment having had this report in its hands, the Labour Party was dismissive of the PN's metro proposal, calling its five-year timespan unrealistic. Government eventually shelved its metro plans and Arup was contracted again to draw up a different transport plan, unveiled by the Trans- port Ministry just before the election. The Blue line: 3 years to complete The PN's election proposal closely follows one of the pro- posed metro lines in the origi- nal government plan studied by PwC—the Blue Line between Pembroke and the airport that passes beneath the Sliema- Gżira conurbation. The Blue Line in PwC's study had a length of 10km with 10 stations along the way and op- erated with eight trains. The study estimated it would take 3.2 years to complete. A project timeline assumed the works would start in April 2026 and the line would be fully opera- tional by June 2029. The route was estimated to cater for 13.4 million passenger trips. Meanwhile, the metro pro- posal unveiled by the PN in the election campaign was for a single line—with the possi- bility of adding a second line at a later stage—with a length of 11.5km, eight stations and op- erated with 10 trains. The PN estimated a five-year timespan for completion of works and the start of train operations. Although criticised by the PL for proposing an unrealis- tic timeline, the PN's project seems to include contingen- cy for unplanned delays when compared to PwC's more am- bitious time frame of just over three years for the Blue Line. Furthermore, the PwC study estimated a capital expendi- ture of €4 billion for the con- struction of the three lines—an expense of €140 million per kilometre. This expenditure included an expense of €1.9 billion on tunnelling and sur- facing; €1.7 billion on tunnel services and rails; €0.2 billion on trains; and €0.3 billion on stations. The PN estimated a capital expenditure of €1.4 billion for its proposal, which includes an expenditure of €1.2 billion for tunnelling, servicing and rails, €80 million on trains and €130 million for the construction of stations. The PN's workings are very similar to the project costs analysed by PwC adjusted for inflation since 2023. Underground works less disruptive When unveiling its plan last week, the man fronting the PN's proposal, perit Julian Borg, said the choice to have a mass transit system that is completely underground was "a technical one that respects Malta's size and population density". The PN proposal would see metro stations at Pembroke, St Julian's, Sliema, Gżira, the Mater Dei Hospital and Uni- versity of Malta hub, Qormi, St Vincent de Paul care home and Malta International Airport. Borg had said the approach for a fully underground mass rapid transport system of- fered flexibility without apply- ing added pressure to Malta's roads. He contrasted this with the PL's proposed hybrid system, which he said will add further pressure to existing infrastruc- ture. Borg had said that the first 100 days of the project are the most crucial with an imple- mentation unit made up of a group of professionals will be working around the clock on processing planning applica- tions and route coordination. On station placements, Borg said the PN proposal priori- tised public land and existing infrastructure with further studies pinpointing the precise locations. Traffic has been a top vot- er concern for years and just before the election campaign kicked off, the government un- veiled a 15-year mobility plan that included a light rail con- nection between St Paul's Bay and the airport. The single rail line would be part underground, part street level, and part elevated. Other stops included in the plan are Valletta, Qormi and Mater Dei Hospital. The mobility plan re- tained the bus network as the public transport backbone but incorporated sea ferries and park and ride facilities. The new government plan re- placed a proposed metro net- work that was unveiled in 2021 on the eve of the 2022 election. Although Infrastructure Malta had contracted PwC to car- ry out the financial feasibility study in 2023, the metro plans were eventually scrapped. KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt PN's metro project doable within five years, Infrastructure Malta study shows

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