Hot on the heels of the €25,000 car-free scheme, Transport Minister Chris Bonett has announced a second, youth-focused measure aimed at rethinking how the next generation gets around Malta.

17-year-olds will now be eligible to drive a small scooter — but only under one big condition: they must agree not to obtain a motor vehicle driving licence until they turn 21. In return, they’ll receive a €1,500 annual cash grant for four years, totalling €6,000.

The scheme comes with a similar rule to the €25,000 plan: teens must commit to the deal for at least one year, or they’re out. If they opt out after year one, they’ll need to pay back the remaining money.

This incentive is designed to delay young people from joining Malta’s growing car culture, and instead encourage lighter, more sustainable transport alternatives during their formative driving years.

It follows the dramatic measure revealed earlier this week, where adult drivers who surrender their cars and licences for five years will be paid €5,000 a year — adding up to a massive €25,000.

Minister Bonett said these ideas are part of a comprehensive plan to tackle Malta’s traffic crisis head-on, and follow a full year of consultation with people from all sectors of society. He acknowledged the surprisingly high level of public interest, and said he welcomed the constructive feedback that has helped shape these initiatives.

He emphasised the voluntary nature of the schemes, stating: “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 also confirmed that some of these measures will begin rolling out as early as next month, signalling that this plan is not just talk — but action.

With more short-term and long-term solutions expected in the coming months, it’s clear the government is ready to shake up Malta’s transport system — starting with both seasoned drivers and the next generation.

#MaltaDaily

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.

#MaltaDaily