A new policy on parking is expected to be presented to the cabinet in the coming days for consultation, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said today.

Speaking in Rabat during a news conference, at which a number of Rabat restaurant owners announced they joined forces to provide a free park and ride shuttle service for their clients on Fridays and Saturdays, Mr Mizzi said that a public consultation would start as soon as members of the cabinet review the policy.

The restaurants are Cosmana Navarra, Toffee & Co, Peristyle, Grotto Cavern, Palazzo Castelletti, Bottegin Palazzo Xara and Ta’ Luigi, seven in all.

The free park and ride service will take off from the parking at Triq it-Tigrija in Rabat between 8pm and midnight.

Mr Mizzi said that the Maltese public is getting used to the park and ride system, as is evident from the one operating from Blata l-Bajda, which seems to be doing well.