New Paola-Addolorata park-and-ride will start operating on July 13
Part of wider mobility overhaul with a similar hub planned in Ta' Qali
A new Park and Ride service in Paola and several new and extended public transport routes are being launched to ease congestion in village centres.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett said the service, part of the government’s Reshaping Our Mobility initiative, will be operational from July 13, and will create new alternative modes of transport while improving existing ones.
The Park & Ride service will operate from the Addolorata car park which currently has a capacity for over 220 vehicles. It will offer a direct solution for those visiting Paola centre as well as Mater Dei Hospital and the University through two new routes.
He also revealed plans to expand and increase similar services in other locations including Ta’Qali which will serve Rabat as well as Mosta and Naxar.
“These will be integrated into the current network, which is being strategically built to offer a better service and more choice to the public,” Bonett said.
The service was announced a day after the inauguration of the breakwater and ferry landing in Buġibba which will pave the way for Tal-Linja Bil-Baħar ferry service linking Sliema with Gozo via St Paul’s Bay.
The call for tenders for the ferry opened on Thursday and the service is expected to be operational by mid- to end of August.
Several organisations have welcomed the news saying it will benefit Gozo’s tourism offering, improve interconnectivity between the islands and ease traffic congestion.