Ditch Your Car, ride A Scooter – Get €6,000

Apr 4 2025 Share

Following the €25,000 car-free scheme and the teen-focused scooter incentive, Transport Minister Chris Bonett has announced yet another bold measure — this time targeting adult drivers who are ready to downsize to two wheels.

Introducing the Scooter Shift Grant: a new scheme offering €1,500 a year for four years (a total of €6,000) to licensed drivers who renounce their car and motor vehicle licence for four years and switch to using a small scooter instead.

Just like the previous plans, there’s a catch — participants must commit for at least one year, and anyone opting out early must pay back the remaining grant. No motor vehicle licence or car ownership is allowed during the commitment period.

This third scheme follows two headline-grabbing incentives announced earlier this week:

A €25,000 grant for drivers who give up their car and driving licence for five years.

A €6,000 youth scheme for 17-year-olds who ride scooters and delay getting a car licence until age 21.

With these measures, the government is making it clear that Malta’s car culture is being seriously challenged.

Minister Bonett described the full package of proposals as “a national shift in how we move,” and stressed that it came after a full year of consultation with people from all walks of life — involving voices from across society to ensure the approach is inclusive and effective.

“We don’t want to force people,” he said. “But we want to convince them that they need to be with us and encourage them to help us beat traffic by using one of these measures on a voluntary basis.”

The Minister confirmed that some of these measures will begin rolling out next month, and that all of them should be fully in place within the next 18 months.

With multiple incentives now on the table — for teens, adults, and anyone willing to rethink their daily commute — the message is clear: real change is on the way.

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Alison Becomes 2nd Winner Of Come Dine With Me Malta

Alison Becomes 2nd Winner Of Come Dine With Me Malta
Apr 4 2025 Share

Alison, also known by her social media handle ‘Mummy on Diet’, has won the second week of ‘Come Dine With Me Malta’.

Alison, who has dedicated her social media to spreading self love, positivity and easy, nourishing recipes, bagged €1,000 in cash after amassing 35 points during the week.

Charles placed in second with 30 points, followed by Ernest and Ruth, with 29 points each and finally Rodianne, with 22 points.

Once again, local icon Eileen Montesin guided the programme as the contestants competed to show that they have what it takes to host.

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Up To €2,500 If You Swap Your Car For A Motorbike

Apr 4 2025 Share

The government’s war on traffic continues — and now motorcycle riders are getting their share of the action.

Following the headline-grabbing €25,000 car-free scheme, the €6,000 teen scooter incentive, and the Scooter Shift Grant, Transport Minister Chris Bonett has revealed yet another measure in Malta’s growing list of mobility incentives.

Under the new scheme:

A €1,000 cash grant will be given to those purchasing low-powered motorcycles (up to 200cc).

A €750 grant is offered for medium-performance motorcycles (up to 500cc).

Scrapping bonuses are also in play — an extra €500 is awarded for scrapping an old motorcycle.

And for those scrapping a car or van over 10 years old, an additional €1,000 will be added to the grant.

This brings the potential total up to €2,500 — a serious incentive to switch from four wheels to two.

The aim? To encourage more people to adopt smaller, more sustainable vehicles, reduce congestion, and reshape Malta’s deep-rooted car culture.

This measure follows three recently announced schemes:

A €25,000 grant for drivers who surrender their car and driving licence for five years.

A €6,000 scheme for 17-year-olds who delay getting a car licence and stick to scooters until age 21.

The Scooter Shift Grant, offering €6,000 to adults who give up their car and switch to a scooter for four years.

Minister Bonett stressed that the transport reform is not about forcing people, but about providing real, voluntary alternatives that benefit both individuals and the country.

“We don’t want to force people, but we want to convince them that they need to be with us and encourage them to help us beat traffic by using one of these measures on a voluntary basis.”

He added that some measures will begin rolling out next month, and that all of them should be fully in place within 18 months.

With multiple paths now open — scooters, bikes, public transport and even generous financial support — Malta’s roads could look very different in the near future.

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Carpool Parking To Increase At University Of Malta

Apr 4 2025 Share

As part of Malta’s growing push to reduce traffic and change how we move, Transport Minister Chris Bonett has announced an upgrade to the University of Malta’s carpooling initiative — a measure that already exists but is now getting a serious boost.

Currently, the scheme provides 8 dedicated carpool parking spaces on campus, and drivers only need to carpool with one other person to use them. But with the government’s new involvement, that’s about to change.

Minister Bonett confirmed that the government will support KSU by increasing the number of carpooling spaces within the university campus, while also making the scheme more impactful: drivers will now need to carpool with at least two other people to qualify for the reserved spots.

The Minister thanked KSU (Kunsill Studenti Universitarji) for their commitment and involvement throughout a full year of discussions and consultations that have helped shape these transport reforms. He acknowledged that parking at university has been a long-standing issue, and said this improved carpooling effort is part of a wider vision to relieve congestion both on and off campus.

This is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. In recent days, the government also announced:

A €25,000 grant for drivers who surrender their car and licence for five years.

A €6,000 scheme for 17-year-olds who stick to scooters and delay getting a car licence until age 21.

The Scooter Shift Grant, offering €6,000 to adults who give up their car and switch to a scooter for four years.

A new grant of up to €2,500 for purchasing low- or mid-powered motorcycles, with added scrappage bonuses.

“We don’t want to force people,” Minister Bonett reiterated. “But we want to convince them that they need to be with us and encourage them to help us beat traffic by using one of these measures on a voluntary basis.”

He also confirmed that some measures will begin rolling out next month, and that all will be in place within 18 months — including the expanded university carpool scheme.

#MaltaDaily