During a press conference this morning, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, said that talks with Arriva on new bus routes and the future of the company should be concluded in the coming weeks.

When asked about the future of Arriva, the Minister, while not giving a direct answer said that if Arriva buses were no longer seen on the road that would mean they had left Malta.

Joe Mizzi said that the problem of traffic is one of the biggest challenges facing our country year after year, creating major problems with parking and congested arterial roads, which are now no longer limited to certain times, but spread throughout the day.

The Minister added that a study for a National Transport Strategy is underway. It identifies the strategy for the implementation of a National Transport Policy for the following 10 years.

In addition, he said, an analysis has been carried out on those areas where congestion is most likely, this will help to create a short- term plan to address queues that build-up during peak hours.

Residential parking schemes were being removed, teh Minister said, but new schemes including for business areas would be created.

The Minister concluded by saying that he is “confident that by the work that we put in, we will get the transport service the public deserves. Which is the first step towards fewer vehicles on the road, resulting in less traffic congestion, fewer accidents and a reduction in air pollution.

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