President’s Solidarity Fun Run returns after COVID setbacks

President’s Solidarity Fun Run makes official comeback after COVID hiatus

Oct 29 2022

The President’s Solidarity Fun Run has made its official return following a COVID-19 hiatus due to COVID-19 in 2020 and after having been replaced by smaller walks last year.

The Fun Run will be held on November 20th and was announced by President George Vella on Friday. Last year, the run was replaced by smaller walks across 58 different localities to avoid large gatherings.

The run will take its original format this year, meaning that participants will walk or run from four localities to St George’s Square.

The walk will start in Paola, Tal-Qroqq and Santa Venera, whereas the run will kick off from Saqqajja in Rabat. The President described the event as an opportunity to unite different people for a charitable cause.

The announcement was also backed by Sports and Education Minister Clifton Grima, as well as Chief Executive for Sport Malta and Chairperson for the Fun Run Organisation Committee Mark Cutajar.

The €10 registrations can be submitted at San Anton’s Kitchen Garden, the Malta Community Chest Fund office in Valletta. SportMalta complexes in Kirkop and Cottonera, Tal-Qroqq national pool complex, and Ta’ Kandja shooting range. They can also take place at local councils from Saturday or during the Festa Palazz which takes place at Verdala Palace on Saturday and Sunday.

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15% increase in bus passengers since free public transport was introduced

Oct 29 2022

Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia reported that bus passengers have increased by 15% ever since public transport was made free this October 2022.

The Minister was comparing the differences between September and October of this year to see whether the introduction of free Tallinja would create an impact.

Despite already seeing a slight increase, Farrugia acknowledged that public transport is still carrying fewer people than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrival of the virus saw historic lows for number of bus commuters.

According to statistics provided by Farrugia himself on Friday, there were 24% fewer people using public transport in September 2022 when compared to the same month of last year.

Farrugia said that the 9% fewer passengers during October of this year is already a positive step. Passengers must have a valid Tallinja bus card to travel for free, otherwise they would need to purchase a valid ticket.

This comes as Farrugia announces that 25 new electric buses would be added to the current fleet to increase routes and make public transport environmentally friendlier and reduce carbon footprint.

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Plan to address all road accidents and deaths to be issued soon

Plan to address all road accidents and deaths through new entity

Oct 29 2022

Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia revealed that the government will be releasing a new plan to address the high death count on Maltese roads.

This was announced in response to the worrying increase in road accidents and deaths which raised alarms all throughout 2022.

22 people have died in 2022 because of traffic accidents, which is one less than the previous record set in 2016. Three of these accidents took place just this past week.

Farrugia also revealed that he has held meetings with the Road Safety Council, headed by Pierre Vella, to discuss a new strategy moving forward. ‘These are not numbers’ said Farrugia in reference to the deaths, ‘but people who have died and left their families behind.’

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25 new eco-friendly buses and €50 million investment into electric vehicles

Oct 29 2022

Taking to social media, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia revealed that 25 new non-polluting Tallinja buses will be added to the current fleet.

The Minister also revealed that, as part of the Budget 2023, a €50 million investment has been allocated over three years for around 10,000 electric vehicles.

This comes as, during the Budget, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced that the government will continue to give incentives to those buying electric cars.

All persons who buy an electric vehicle will be entitle to €11,000, possibly rising up to €12,000 in case they use the scrapping scheme. Meanwhile, works to create 1,200 new charging points up until 2024 to complement the existing 340 are already underway.

The transport minister also claimed that bus passengers have increased by 15% since public transport was made free of charge this month in a bid to encourage alternative modes of transportation.

#MaltaDaily