Transport

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

    • A wider ferry system

    • Rapid 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.

The 5+1 Challenges

Volt has defined 5+1 fundamental Challenges that need to be tackled in each European country and in Europe as a whole.

Why 5 + 1 Challenges?

The 5 Challenges are basically the same for every country, but their implementation can be adapted on the national level to take into account local realities.

The +1 Challenge – our proposal to reform and strengthen the EU – is identical across all our national programmes.

View the policy portfolio
  • 01

    Smart State

    Education and digitalisation are key elements of the 21st century

  • 02

    Economic Renaissance

    An innovative economy must be the engine of society's progress

  • 03

    Social Equality

    No-one should be left behind - no matter their gender, income, religion. or origin

  • 04

    Global Balance

    Europe needs to assume responsibility for its role in global challenges

  • 05

    Citizen Empowerment

    People must be empowered to influence politics beyond elections alone

  • +1

    EU Reform

    We love the EU - this doesn't mean there is no room for improvement