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Speaking at a press conference, the Green Party leader, Dr Harry Vassallo, said that the constant increase of cars on the road over the past years is expected to continue and that the serious congestion we already experience is expected to become a burden on our quality of life and a threat to economic productivity and competitiveness. “It is taking us longer and longer to travel even the shortest distances, creating much heavier pollution and at ever increasing costs,” Dr Vassallo said.

“The question of urban mobility is a major challenge for the country which Alternattiva has chosen to prioritise in its coalition proposals. In order to address this challenge there is an urgent need for innovative thinking. The Greens have the clear ambition to turn a present threat into a future opportunity, making Malta a showcase of advanced technology and intelligent solutions,” Dr Vassallo added.

“The first step has to be the removal of all monopolies and near monopolies in public transport. The conditions must be created to ensure that there will be attractive rewards to those who provide the fast, efficient and reliable services the country needs. There are profits to be made through increased efficiency and it is the duty of the next government to create the conditions which serve the interests of passengers and of the country.” Dr Vassallo said “The role of government should be to secure the most efficient service after wide stakeholder consultation, especially with public transport users,” Dr Vassallo said.

“The government is also duty bound to remove all legal difficulties for those interested in investing in private schemes for carpooling, timesharing and pay-by-use of vehicles” Dr Vassallo said. With the Greens in a coalition government preference will be given to those who pollute less and those who reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Those who do not apply for a car license at 18 will travel free on public transport and will be entitled to hold a license to drive a low-powered motor cycle exempt from registration and road license fees. These vehicles and other low pollution vehicles will be entitled to travel on bus lanes which will be widely extended to increase the efficiency and attractiveness of public transport,” Dr Vassallo said

“At the same time, an increase in motor vehicles adds to the difficulties in parking close to one’s residence. After a wide stakeholder consultation in the various localities we will seek to introduce resident parking schemes in the whole country. It is not only people with disabilities who are experiencing serious difficulties but also those others who have to cope with everyday challenges such as parents with small children.” Dr Vassallo said “In some areas the situation can be significantly improved is employers cooperate in the organization of transport for their workforce reducing costs and congestion,” Dr Vassallo added.

“The contribution of Alternattiva Demokratika to a coalition government will also include the identification of the most appropriate mass transit system such as an underground rail system which the country must invest in” Dr Vassallo said “The Greens are committed to this long term project on which we must embark today in order to have it place years after the end of the administration starting in 2008. Our promise is that work will start on this within the next five years” Dr Vassallo said Itr is already clear that such a system will be cheaper and far more efficient that the options available today and the costs of the present options will continue to increase in future. We can no longer afford to put off these important decisions,” Dr Vassallo concluded.