Alex Borg: Light Rail Not the Answer for Malta
Alex Borg: Light Rail Plan Misses the Mark, Says Veteran Architect
Imagine standing at the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the capital’s main thoroughfare, now filled with the hum of electric buses instead of the familiar rumble of diesel engines. This is the vision of a car-free city centre, a key part of the government’s light rail project. But not everyone is convinced. Veteran Maltese architect Alex Borg has raised eyebrows, suggesting that the light rail plan is not what Malta needs.
From Cars to Trams: The Light Rail Vision
The light rail project, set to replace Malta’s aging bus fleet, promises a greener, more efficient public transport system. The plan includes a network of electric trams connecting major towns and cities, with the first phase set to link Valletta, Birkirkara, and Msida. But architect Alex Borg isn’t convinced that this is the best solution for Malta’s transport woes.
“We’re looking at a system that’s expensive to build and maintain, and which might not be the best fit for our island’s unique geography and demographics,” Borg told Hot Malta in an exclusive interview. He argues that the focus should be on improving existing bus services and encouraging walking and cycling, rather than investing in a new tram network.
Cost, Flexibility, and the Case for Buses
Borg’s main concern is cost. The light rail project is estimated to cost around €2 billion, a significant investment for a small island nation. “We need to ask ourselves if this is the best use of our resources,” he says. “Could we not improve our bus services for less, making them more frequent, reliable, and comfortable?”
Borg also raises the issue of flexibility. Buses can adapt to changing demand patterns more easily than trams, which require fixed infrastructure. “Buses can be rerouted, their frequencies adjusted based on demand. Trams, once the tracks are laid, are more rigid,” he explains.
Walking, Cycling, and a Multi-Modal Approach
Borg isn’t against all forms of public transport. He believes in a multi-modal approach that prioritizes walking and cycling, with buses and other forms of public transport supporting these modes. “We need to make our cities more pedestrian-friendly, create safe cycling lanes, and encourage active transport,” he says.
He points to the success of initiatives like the Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture project, which saw parts of the city closed to cars and opened up to pedestrians. “We saw the positive impact this had on the city. We should be building on that, not planning to bring more vehicles into our city centres,” he argues.
Borg’s views are not without controversy. The government has invested significant political capital in the light rail project, and many see it as a key part of Malta’s sustainability goals. But Borg’s critique highlights the complex nature of urban planning and the need for ongoing debate and evaluation.
As Malta continues to grapple with traffic congestion and air pollution, the light rail project remains a hotly debated topic. Alex Borg’s intervention serves as a reminder that there’s more than one way to build a sustainable future for our islands.
“We need to think beyond the immediate, beyond the next election cycle. We need to plan for a future where our cities are not dominated by cars, but are places where people want to live, work, and play,” Alex Borg told Hot Malta.
