PN: Government Keeps Going in Circles on Mass Transport

Traffic congestion is costing Malta nearly €800 million each year, according to the National Transport Master Plan 2030. Without urgent action, these costs are projected to rise to €917 million annually by 2030.

In a press release, the Nationalist Party said: “A simple calculation shows that in under four years, Malta would spend more on traffic congestion than the €2.8 billion that Robert Abela claims is needed for the proposed Metro. In 25 years, congestion could cost €1.28 billion per year enough, theoretically, to fund the Metro in just over two years.”

PN added: “Despite this, the Labour Government remains divided over the country’s mass transport future. Prime Minister Robert Abela maintains that the Metro is still feasible, while Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has described it as a ‘silly season promise’ that ‘could royally screw Malta’. Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett has alternated between supporting the Metro and backing the Nationalist Party’s Trackless Tram/Rapid Bus Transit proposal.”

The Nationalist Party has called for a clear, long-term plan rather than shifting promises. It urges a national agreement to deliver a sustainable mass transport system, binding successive governments until completion.

“The Maltese people cannot continue paying €800 million a year just to remain gridlocked,” the PN warned.

Meanwhile, Momentum is calling for more basic improvements to public transport infrastructure.

Momentum stresses that authorities should implement practical measures to improve public transport for the hundreds of commuters who rely on it daily. While discussions about large-scale projects continue, the existing system must be functional, accessible, and dignified.

Momentum General Secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin said: “Free public transport was a great idea, yet it seems the government did not truly believe in the project. There is simply not enough infrastructure to allow it to succeed. A key priority must be ensuring that every bus stop is equipped with basic shelter, providing protection from rain and extreme heat. It is unreasonable to expect passengers to wait in poor weather without even the most essential facilities.”

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