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The proposal made by J. Bonnet Balzan (6 November 2005) regarding public transport passing through St Julians and Sliema is most interesting. J. Bonnet Balzan is proposing that direct route buses “upon reaching their particular terminal be it Bugibba or Sliema Ferries or wherever, drop their route third digit and proceed to Valletta”, charging the normal fare toValletta. I promise to take up this proposal within Sliema local council, so that hopefully the necessary pressure can be made with public transport authorities.
One should also keep in mind various other possible improvements in public transport passing through Sliema, especially when one keeps in mind that various buses would already be full-up once reaching this locality, thus leaving lots of people stranded on bus stops for a long time. In this regard, I cannot understand why Bus 61, the only bus which leaves from the Strand and goes to Valletta, has disappeared.
Besides, Bus 63 no longer passes through Qui-si-sana and Tigné‚, meaning that the whole peninsula is denied this basic public service.
Such inadequate practices surely do not encourage people to use public transport. The Sliema local council has been protesting on bus numbers 61 and 63 for some time, unfortunately to no avail.
It is more than obvious that an improvement in public transport will help alleviate traffic congestion and help reduce pollution.
Michael Briguglio
AD councillor Sliema
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