Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544913
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 Labour aims to address traffic chokepoints in new infrastructure pledge PRIME Minister Robert Abela on Tuesday announced an €829 million package of transport and infrastructure measures, led by major investment in Malta's road network and a pledge to address the country's chronic parking problems. Speaking during a press con- ference, Abela said the measures form part of the government's long-term "Malta in Motion" strategy, which he described as the country's first holistic trans- port plan. Among the largest projects planned over the coming years are major junction upgrades at Barrani/Bir id-Deheb, Paceville, Qormi Imghallaq and Burmarrad. The government also pledged to continue investing heavily in the national road network. Abela also outlined a series of initiatives aimed at increasing parking availability. These in- clude the development of under- ground parking facilities beneath open spaces projects, the use of privately owned car parks dur- ing night-time hours, and the in- troduction of residents' parking schemes in collaboration with local councils and communities. The prime minister insisted the residents' parking model would not involve paid parking systems. The government also plans to expand park-and-ride facilities and introduce more shuttle bus services, including routes con- necting to ferry terminals. Central to the plan is the devel- opment of a rapid transport sys- tem tailored for Malta, which is expected to become operational over a 15-year period. Transport Malta is already working on a digital application that will integrate all public trans- port services into one platform, allowing commuters to plan journeys across buses, Y-Plates, ferries, micromobility services such as cycling, and eventually the rapid transport system. During the next legislature, the government also plans to intro- duce a "mobility wallet", a dig- ital platform bringing together all public transport services and incorporating a mobility credits scheme. Users who opt for al- ternative forms of transport will accumulate credits redeemable against products and services, in- cluding transport. Abela said the bus network would undergo a "careful review", with new or revised routes intro- duced according to demand. He said the government wants more routes serving town centres us- ing smaller buses, alongside in- creased frequency on the busiest routes and more punctual servic- es coordinated with sea transport and the future rapid transit sys- tem. The government also pledged to continue electrifying the pub- lic transport fleet, with the full transition of the Gozo fleet ex- pected to be completed this year. Malta's fast ferry network will also be expanded, with works al- ready underway to include Mar- saskala in the service while ex- tending operating hours. Among other transport-related measures, the government an- nounced it will remove licence fees for motorcycles with en- gines under 350cc and double the e-bike purchase grant to €1,300 for youths aged between 16 and 18. From 2029 onwards, all new passenger transport vehicles, in- cluding rental cars, must be elec- tric or hybrid vehicles. Beyond transport, the govern- ment announced a €55 million investment in a new breakwater at Sant Iermu aimed at reducing wave impact in the Grand Har- bour. The shore-to-ship electricity project, already implemented in the Grand Harbour, will also be extended to the Freeport. In Marsaxlokk, maintenance and extension works will be car- ried out on the Delimara break- water to provide greater shelter for vessels.As part of the Vision Malta 2050 strategy, the govern- ment also plans to regenerate the Grand Harbour area through a four-zone project beginning with the Marsa creek and Customs House areas. On Gozo connectivity, Abe- la said the government aims to strengthen links with Malta by more than 25%. Measures include investment in a completely new fleet for Gozo Channel, including a dedicated cargo vessel, the introduction of an inter-island air taxi service fol- lowing completion of the Gozo airstrip, further expansion of fast ferry links, and infrastructure up- grades at the Mġarr and Marsal- forn ports. An on-demand bus service will also be introduced in Gozo. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Prime Minister Robert Abela CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The group further alleges that the current proposals seek to build even higher than the height limits Pullicino himself applied for during the initial rezoning. The group questioned the role of Lands Minister Ow- en Bonnici, as they demand clarification on whether Bon- nici authorised the Lands Au- thority to issue clearance for development on the site, par- ticularly since portions of the land are government-owned. Żurrieq is also part of Bonn- ici's constituency. The group noted that Bonn- ici recently avoided a parlia- mentary question on the issue by stating information was still being collected, only for parliament to be dissolved a week later. "It has become appallingly evident that the Labour gov- ernment has done everything possible to ensure that a plot designated for development in 2006 by former Planning Minister George Pullicino is developed by George Pul- licino's clients in 2026," the group stated. Earlier on Tuesday, when asked by journalists, Prime Minister Robert Abela insist- ed that he would not allow government land to be used for development. Meanwhile, il-Kollettiv and Residenti taż-Żurrieq have organised a press conference titled "Għan-Nigret, Għal Kulħadd." The event, sched- uled for this Sunday on the site of the proposed develop- ment. Architect and former planning minister George Pullicino reportedly seeks summary procedure in application