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.