Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533839
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 MARCH 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The transport minister said that the next quarter will see a vintage vehicle reform aimed at ensuring that only vehicles which are kept in proper vintage condition are maintained. Paola will soon have a new park-and-ride service, and new routes will be introduced to in- dustrial estates in San Ġwann, Ħal Farruġ, Bulebel, Corradino, and the Marsa Industrial Estate. In a press conference on Satur- day, Bonett unveiled a number of initiatives that will be rolled out in the next 18 months. He ex- plained that every quarter, gov- ernment will announce which initiatives will be implemented during that time. Within the next three months, government will introduce a voluntary licence surrendering scheme. Those who choose to enrol in the scheme must re- nounce all licences and cars for five years, and they can obtain no other licence. The second quarter of 2025 will also see the introduction of new bus routes including one which links Birżebbuġia to the Marsa Park-And-Ride, one that takes commuters from the Mar- sa Park-And-Ride to the Naxxar Higher Secondary School, and another that links the airport with Luqa, St Vincent De Paule, and Mater Dei Hospital. Bonett said that existing routes will be upgraded by increasing trips, one of which is the X300 that links Ċirkewwa to Valletta through the University of Malta. Within the next 18 months, government intends to intro- duce 'Be the Change 17+', which will allow 17-year-olds to obtain a licence for 80cc scooters on the condition they don't obtain a motor vehicle driving licence until they're 21 years old. Bene- ficiaries will receive a cash grant of €1,500 per annum for four years, with an opt-out option af- ter one year. Meanwhile, the Scooter Shift Grant will give commuters who renounce their motor vehicle licence and car for four years and start using a small scooter will receive a yearly cash grant of €1,500 for four years, with an opt-out option after one year. Similarly, motorcycle buyers can benefit from a €1,000 grant if they buy motorcycles with up to 200c of engine power and €750 for medium-performance motorcycles (max 500cc). An additional €500 will be provid- ed for scrapping a motorcycle, and €1,000 if a car or van over 10 years old is scrapped. With regards to parking, Bonett said that more public buildings will be used for park- ing outside office hours by the general public. He said that Transport Malta buildings will be utilised in such a way first. A national parking policy will also be developed, including an increase in designated parking spaces for Motorcycles, EVs, and scooters. The transport minister ex- plained that government will move to restrict road marking, road cleansing, waste collection, and landscaping service during peak hours. He noted that acting on waste collection will be government's biggest headache, as an evalua- tion of its existing contracts with waste collecting contractors is underway. Government will roll out more traffic measures every three months ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS UNDER The European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 The Ministry responsible for European Funds would like to announce that it is launching a call for project proposals in the following area: Specific Objective 1.1 - Strengthening economically, socially and environmentally sustainable fishing activities. This call shall be open to MFA and MFB licensed fishers and shall specifically focus on investments on board fishing vessels, without increasing their fishing capacity, to target energy efficiency and quality of catches. The call also targets: 1. The improvement of health, safety and working conditions on board fishing vessels; 2. The effects of climate change and improving the energy efficiency of fishing vessels; 3. Improving the added value or quality of fish caught by allowing fishers to carry out investments on board that improve the quality of the fishery products; 4. Investments aimed at improving cold-chain management and onboard handling/storage beyond minimum requirements; 5. Equipment improving size selectivity or species selectivity of fishing gear; 6. Equipment that eliminates discards by avoiding and reducing unwanted catches of commercial stocks. Applications should be submitted electronically on the Structural Funds Database available at sfd.gov.mt/application by not later than 30 th June 2025, 30 th September 2025, 31 st December 2025, 31 st March 2026, 30 th June 2026, 30 th September 2026 at noon. The online application form for the submission of project proposals and supporting documentation are available on https://fondi.eu/what-funding-is-available/emfaf-call-investments-on-board-fishing- vessels/. Any queries should be sent by email on fondi.eu@gov.mt. Three dedicated information sessions are being organised on the following dates: 1. Monday 7th April – Marasxlokk, Pompei Hall at 4.00 p.m. 2. Wednesday 9th April – Gozo, Xewkija, Experimental Farm at 10.00 a.m. 3. Monday 14th April – San Pawl il-Baħar, Assisi Hall, Triq San Franġisk at 4.00 p.m. Register for one of the information sessions by scanning the QR code below: The next quarter will see a vintage vehicle reform aimed at ensuring that only vehicles which are kept in proper vintage condition are maintained