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ADPD MEP candidate Ralph Cassar has blasted government's refusal to implement measures that can truly address Malta's traffic woes. On TVM's Xtra on Monday night, Cassar was asked to give his party's views on realistic measures that can ease traffic and confront Malta's infatua- tion with private cars. Cassar started off by blasting the current mindset of increas- ing road lanes and spending funds on infrastructural pro- jects which accommodate pri- vate cars. "Government has a transport master plan," he not- ed while saying that the plan states that no matter how many roads and lanes are increased, traffic will not be properly tackled. "(The master plan) says that road space for cars must de- crease so that people are pushed," he said, noting pol- iticians' reluctance to push people away from using their private cars. Cassar called for roads to be built in a manner which guarantees safety for people who use bikes to com- mute. Cassar said that government is picking and choosing which parts of the master plan to im- plement, namely the construc- tion of junctions, "as if junc- tions can solve anything." The ADPD candidate stated that lanes which prioritise buses must be increased. Asked by the show's host Sav- iour Balzan whether these ar- guments garner sympathy from commuters, Cassar called for all politicians to explain to the public that a shift towards more sustainable transport options is crucially needed. "We're at a ridiculous point where we gloat about Mosta's square being pedestrianised. I think its the only pedestrianised square in Europe where cars can pass," Cassar noted, saying such measures are only taking people for a ride. The ADPD Secretary General concluded by saying that European cities have successfully implemented traf- fic-easing measures, and that it's not impossible for Malta to fol- low suit. PN and PL representatives discussion evolves into screaming match During the show, transport minister Chris Bonett and PN spokesperson for transport Mark Anthony Sammut were discussing the traffic and infra- structure situation's roots and future. Saviour Balzan had reminded his guests that in 1905, Malta had already had a tram as a method of mass transportation, yet more than a century later, the country is still finding it difficult to im- plement such methods. "Are we talking about a cure (for traffic) and not a vision?" Bonett assured that govern- ment does have a vision, as he noted that decades ago, owning a car in Malta was a status symbol. When asked whether he believes that a solution lies in decreasing the public's dependence on pri- vate cars, the minister said that a solution lies in "using them in a better way." The minister then questioned if the fact that people leave their homes to go to work at the same time is efficient, echoing past calls for commuters to travel to work at later times during the day. Meanwhile, Mark Anthony Sammut said that the biggest failure leading to the current traffic situation is a lack of plan- ning. He further stated that the solution is not telling people to travel at different times, but of- fering a better alternative to pri- vate cars. Sammut noted that for in- stance, rental e-scooters were an alternative to private cars, but government's lack of en- forcement led to these scooters becoming an inconvenience. He also mentioned government's shelved plans for a metro, noting that taxpayer funds were wasted on studies and a website which is no longer available. The discussion eventually spiralled out of control when Bonett said that the most recent changes in bus routes occurred in 2014, as government tried to fix "the mess" left behind by the head of secretariat in the PN's last transport ministry, Manuel Delia. Bonett referred to Delia as "the same one who conspired with Mark Anthony to remove Adrian Delia." Sammut retorted by saying that Bonett is always looking for something to fabricate. He later responded by saying that the minister ought to explain his dealings which led to his wife having four government consul- tancy contracts. As Sammut listed the con- tracts, Bonett told him to take back his statement, calling it a gross lie. "Don't be an arrogant idiot," Bonett told his counter- part. 5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MARCH 2024 NEWS MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Letter of Intention Mr Carlo Girasoli and Mr David Bruce of Qualitair Aviation Malta Ltd, declares their intention for the Company to register for an Employment Agency licence in accordance to article 23 of the Employment and Training Services Act, 1990(Act XXVIII of 1990). The activities proposed to be carried out are the following: 1. Temping and Outsourcing Agency 2. Interviewing, selection and placements of candidates in employment 3. Recruitment of persons from abroad to employment in Malta or in an EU member state 4. Recruitment of persons in Malta for employment in Malta or in an EU member state 5. Advertising of the filling of vacancies 6. Keeping a register of applicant s for employment Official Registered Office Address: Level 1 Malta International Airport Luqa LQA 4000 Malta Company Registration Number : C92046 ADPD Secretary General calls for measures to push commuters away from private cars AD secretary general Ralph Cassar