“A new Nationalist Government will have a clear economic plan that will provide direction for our country. This plan will also have clear targets to address the traffic crisis and the transport problems in our country,” stated Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech.

During a discussion meeting on the traffic and transport crisis held on Sunday morning in Birkirkara with the participation of a large number of stakeholders in this sector, Leader of the PN Bernard Grech reminded that the promise of the metro “has now disappeared. With these measures announced last month, the Government has approached the problem incorrectly, because it is pointless to incentivise people to leave their cars if they are not offered an efficient alternative, such as a mass transport system.”

Bernard Grech said that there was “so little serious consultation before these measures were announced that, after pressure from both the Opposition and even enthusiasts, the Government had to retract the measure regarding classic cars.”

He added that, “the Government also realised that it made a mistake when it said it would offer an incentive to those who give up their car licence – only to realise that it was wrong and started saying that a person would have to give up both their car licence and their driving licence.”

Above all, the Leader of the PN emphasised that these measures proposed by the Government “do not even attempt to address the root cause of the traffic problem in our country – the population explosion caused by the Government itself.”

In contrast, he stressed that “a new Nationalist Government will tackle the problem from the roots by reducing the need for people to use their cars. The measures that a new Nationalist Government will implement to reduce cars on the roads, and thus reduce traffic, include:”

A change in the economic model to stop depending on population growth Investment in a mass transport system after necessary studies are conducted, to be implemented within the first two years

Roadworks will be carried out in a planned manner to avoid creating congestion When a road is being worked on, the work will be done in such a way that it will not need to be redone soon after

Tax incentives for companies offering remote working for their employees Investment in cycling infrastructure and laws that better protect cyclists and motorbike riders

Direct bus routes to the University, MCAST, and Higher Secondary

To strengthen connectivity between Malta and Gozo, Bernard Grech reiterated the commitment of a new Nationalist Government to introduce four new ferries, as well as a fifth ferry dedicated to freight transport. This is in addition to strengthening the Ports of Mgarr and Cirkewwa.

During the event organised by the PN, several speakers explained various aspects contributing to the traffic crisis and the transport problem in the country.

Among the key issues discussed were the Y Plates sector, accessibility for people with disabilities, and the need for a national action plan to address road safety.

From Gozo – Ivan Farrugia, a local councillor in Munxar and an enthusiast of classic cars, spoke about how the measures proposed by the Government will affect this sector. Daniel Borg from the Gozo Business Chamber and Mark Busuttil from the Gozo Tourism Association focused on the connectivity issues between Malta and Gozo, transport, and roads in Gozo and their impact on Gozitan businesses and tourism. George Cremona, a resident of Victoria, Gozo, focused on the issue of outdoor seating and tables

Mayor of Msida and PN General Election candidate Charles Selvaggi spoke about the lack of consultation by the Government on the Msida flyover project.

Minority Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista in the Marsa Local Council Gloria Aquilina spoke about the traffic problem and its management, while Leone Sciberras, a Partit Nazzjonalista Councillor in Zabbar and a candidate for the General Election, who is a person with a disability, spoke about accessibility.

Ronald Zammit, a Y Plates driver; Marie Jo Pulis Scicluna, a private car driver who initiated carpooling; Malcolm Ciantar, Executive Director of the White Taxis Association; and Luke Vella, a PN Councillor and public transport user; focused on the Y Plates sector, public transport, and carpooling as one potential solution to the traffic crisis.

Fiona Cauchi, a motorbike rider, spoke about motorbikes as an alternative mode of transport; Steve Zammit Lupi, the Mayor of Zebbug, focused on the use of bicycles; while Ingram Bondin, President of the Ramblers Association, spoke about walking.

Professor Maria Attard from the University of Malta’s Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development stressed the need for a long-term plan in the traffic sector.

The discussion was also addressed by the Shadow Minister for Transport and Mobility Mark Anthony Sammut, who spoke about the need for more enforcement on the roads, the need for harsher penalties for reckless driving, and the need to control the abuse in the Y Plates sector.

Another speaker was Dr George Vital Zammit, who is currently holding a series of meetings in preparation for drafting the Nationalist Party’s electoral programme. He said that transport should be considered in a social and economic context.

All attendees were also able to leave their suggestions regarding the traffic and transport sector in our country.

Photos: Nationalist Party

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