Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531608
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 JANUARY 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt church.mt CALL FOR LETTERS OF INTENT EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT OF MADONNA TAL-KARMNU CEMETERY, TRIQ BLAT IL-QAMAR, SIĠĠIEWI The Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta will receive letters of intent from interested parties for the extension and the refurbishment of Madonna tal-Karmnu cemetery in Siġġiewi. The turnkey project, on behalf of the Siġġiewi parish, will include all the necessary works for the cemetery extension which should accommodate around 435 graves and 220 cubicles within a new columbarium at the back of the existing chapel. The works should also include the repairs and refurbishment of the existing cemetery and its structures. The works should cover: • the clearing of the site. • the excavation, in hard rock, for the formation of the pit for the erection of the graves and a water reservoir. • the erection of the graves. • the formation of a meditation garden. • the formation of a columbarium for the placing of ash urns. • the repairs and refurbishment of the existing cemetery section, together with the chapel and the two stores on either side of the entrance. • steelworks. • engineering building services. • landscaping. Interested parties are to submit their letter of intent, together with a copy of any state licence, in the appropriate box on the first floor at the Archbishop's Curia, Floriana, by 11am on Friday 31st January 2025. Only letters received through this box will be considered. The shortlisted parties will later be asked to fill in a detailed bill of quantities for the selection of a contractor to carry out the works of the cemetery project. Any queries should be directed to the Head of Property by email only at: roberto.buontempo@maltadiocese.org. The right is reserved to refuse any submission. By means of an application filed in the Civil Court of Voluntary Jurisdiction Section, on the 12th December, 2024, Application number 1100/2024, by Catherine Mallia whereby she requested that it be declared open in favour of Catherine Mallia, daughter of the decujus the succession of Onesimo Mallia, widower of Carmela Mallia née Psaila, son of the late Salvatore Mallia and Maria Concettas née Spiteri, born in Ħamrun, Malta, resided in Swieqi, Malta, and died in Msida, Malta, on the 17th September, 2024, aged 88 and who held identity card number 0178036M. Wherefore, any person who believes to have an interest in the matter is hereby called upon to appear before the said Court and to bring forward his objections hereto by a minute to be filed within fifteen days from the posting of the banns and notices according to law. Registry of the Civil Court, Voluntary Jurisdiction Section Today 10th January, 2025 ALEXANDRA DEBATTISTA For the Registrar, Civil Court and Tribunals Y-plated cabs saw dramatic growth New data shows personal cars increased at a faster rate during Labour's first years in government but increased at a slower rate in post- pandemic years THE number of Y-plated cabs doubled between 2020 and 2024, increasing fivefold since 2012, according to official sta- tistics published recently. This data comes from a re- cent inventory of Malta's vehi- cle stock, tabled in parliament, which details the number of vehicles across various regis- tration categories. It highlight- ed how the country's vehicle fleet has diversified over the past decade, particularly in the years following the pandemic. Furthermore, the number of personally owned light passen- ger cars has continued to rise each year, with nearly 68,000 more since 2012. But the data shows that the rate of annual increase in the number of personal cars has slowed down, particularly in the post-pandemic years, where it fell to less than 2%. The largest increase in pri- vate cars since 2012 occurred during Labour's first year in government, between 2013 and 2014, when 9,572 new cars were registered, representing a 3.9% increase in a single year. This was followed by an 8,264 increase (3.2%) between 2014 and 2015. However, in subsequent years, between 2015 and 2019, the an- nual rate of increase dropped below 3%, and after 2019, it fell to less than 2%. The lowest in- crease was recorded between 2021 and 2022, with only 2,192 new cars added to Malta's roads, possibly a reflection of the inflationary pressures that characterised the post-pan- demic period, even though car owners were spared from any petrol price hikes, which the government absorbed. Moreover, while the number of personal cars surged from 242,149 to 288,062 between 2012 and 2018—an increase of 19%—their growth slowed in subsequent years, rising to 310,822 in 2024, a 7.9% in- crease over 2018. Overall, the number of personal cars grew by 28% between 2012 and 2024. But while the annual increase in personal cars has slowed, the total number of light passenger cars, including taxis and rental cars, in Malta has grown from 249,612 in 2012 to 327,627 in 2024—a staggering 31% in- crease over 12 years. A more diversified fleet The period also saw a notable rise in motorcycles, e-bicycles, and Y-plated cabs. However, the data also reveals that the greater availability of trans- port options has not led to a decrease in private car owner- ship. The data also highlights great- er diversification in vehicles. In 2012, Malta had only 288 buses, a figure that dropped to 238 the following year. At the time, there were no scoot- ers or quads, just 879 Y-plated cabs, 3,264 rental cars with QZ plates, and 3,029 K-plated rent- al cars. Twelve years later, the number of route buses has ris- en by 74%, reaching 498, while QZ-plated rental cars have in- creased by 245% to 11,264. Y-plated cabs have also seen an even more dramatic rise,