Transportation Policy

The way mobility is viewed in Malta needs a re-imagining. Cars should not be seen as the default option, especially considering the amount of space roads occupy within our tiny islands. With our high population density we need to re-evaluate our approach.

National Study Project

  • Initiate a national research project in the viability of having just and also every combination possible of the following modes of transport in Malta.
    • Metro system
    • Tram system
    • Light rail system
    • Ferry system
    • Raid Bus Transit system
  • Include the introduction of a one-card system for all public transport alongside the national research project, promoting accessibility/ease of access.
  • Considering the following factors;
    • Cost to establish
    • Return of Investment Duration
    • Change in Car-Use
    • Environmental Impact/Benefit
  • Ensure both Malta and Gozo are included within any research.
  • Conduct the research with an Integrity Pact to ensure the research is done fairly and transparently.
  • Consider both the scenarios in which a Malta-Gozo tunnel exists or doesn’t with the integration of the possible mode of transport.
  • Ensure all data is publicly accessible digitally, up to date, and also physically available on request.
  • Set a 4-year deadline for the research
    • Ensure new data is published publicly every 6 months, in Spring and Autumn.
    • Extend the deadline for 2 years if research is incomplete.

Pedestrianisation

  • Conduct research on the state of Malta’s pedestrian space.
  • Expand the ‘Slow Streets’ project to more localities.
  • Transition into permanent pedestrianisation of village cores.
  • Create a Walkable Malta.
    • Ensure shaded pavement to whatever extent possible. The choice of shade will be in the following order of priority according to possibility.
      • Natural shade (Flora that can grow, or already exists that covers pedestrian space.)
        • When creating additional natural shade, ensure flora is indigenous.
      • Artificial shade
        • Artificial shade should also take into consideration different weather events (ensure it is effective when it rains)
    • Ensure pavement is accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs and pushchairs.
      • If the space is occupied with bags pending garbage collection, seek out alternative waste collection solutions.
    • Ensure pavement is maintained, to ensure it is usable by all individuals, especially those who make use of wheelchairs,  pushchairs, blind individuals, and other possible situations.
  • Increase lighting for footbridges, alleyways and other roads not sufficiently lit for evenings.

Bikeability

  • Ensure bike-sharing is possible nationwide.
    • Create grants to set up bicycle parking stations in more locations.
  • Set up more bicycle parking stations across Malta for privately-owned bicycles.
  • Ensure strict penalties tied to the driving licence of individuals who use the priority lane illegally.
  • Create effective security barriers for bicycle lanes that are adjacent to the road to protect individuals using the alternative routes.
  • Expand the bikeability of Malta. Cooperate with NGOs to expand the network of roads usable by alternative methods.
    • Ensure road networks between localities are safe for individuals commuting with alternative transport.
  • Any road expansion must only be possible if it first creates a safe bicycle lane zone, and secondly the space for priority lanes, thirdly for regular automobiles.
  • Solve existing road bottlenecks, especially those inflicted by recent road expansions, by slimming the roads around the bottlenecks, and adopting a safe bicycle lane where possible. 
  • Enforce laws pertaining to bicycles & electric scooters.
  • Introduce Presumed Liability for motor vehicle users to provide cyclists legal protection.
  • Introduce government-funded personal and vehicular insurance for bicycle users.
  • Ensure widespread setup of Sheffield Bicycle Racks across Malta and Gozo.
  • Introduce Contraflow exemptions for cyclists akin to those for buses.

Busses

  • Work towards a 24/7 bus system. To effectively increase uptake of public transport.
    • Regular bus schedules should continue until midnight.
    • Ensure a consistent, nationwide, night bus schedule. 
      • Maintain the current night bus routes.
      • Create routes for every locality in Malta that is serviced hourly.
  • Increase the number of priority lanes, ensure they are considered during road expansion after bicycle lanes and before regular roads.

Cars

  • Develop conditionalities for when road expansion may/may not be acceptable.
    • Ensure a condition is that the road must attempt other modes of increasing connectivity through 0/low emissions mobility first.
  • Create metered parking in, and around village cores.
  • For individuals who own 2 or more vehicles, and do not have enough garage space to accommodate all cars, create a regular penalty fee for every car the individual can not accommodate in a garage space, excluding the primary car. The annual penalty will be €1,500 per year, per car.
    • E.g If the person owns 2 cars but has no garage space or has only 1 garage space, they are penalised for 1 car. 
    • If the person owns 4 cars but has no garage space or only 1 garage space, they are penalised for 3 cars.
      • If the person has 2 garage spaces they are penalised for 2 cars.