Transport Malta this morning insisted that the bus lane in Gzira is legal, contrary to a report carried in The Times of Malta today.

In a statement, Transport Malta said Paragraph h of Title E (“Mandatory – Operation”) of Part II (“Regulatory Signs”)  of the Schedule to S.L. 65.05 (Traffic Signs and Carriageway Markings Regulations) gives the authority the opportunity to reserve a priority lane that …”may only be used by any motor route bus and any other passenger transport vehicle, taxis and, where authorised, by karozzini, and by motorcycles, pedal cycles and any other vehicles on priority duty as is mentioned in regulation 83(1).”  

The proper term is not 'bus lane' but 'priority lane' as it is not reserved solely for buses. The priority lane can in fact be used by electric vehicles, bicycles, lpg vehicles. These 'bus lanes' have been in place for years now; such as the ones in St Anne Street and in Aldo Moro Street, Marsa, for example.

There is no legislation specifying any number of lanes for a priority lane to be put in place, Transport Malta said.