Minister Joe Mizzi this morning announced that the government is committed to offer free WI-FI service on the transport buses. He said that the government is willing to embark on the introduction of a number of measures to encourage more people to take up public transport. 

This morning's press conference, led by Ministers for Transport and the Minister for Justice and Local Government Owen Bonnici, was called to give more details on the Labour Party's proposals with regards to transport.

Joe Mizzi said that during this legislature, the government introduced 24 new bus routes and installed 80 new bus stops. The public transport operator also increased the number of new buses to 380 which are environmentally friendly.

He praised the initiative to set up Tallinja Card and for measures which helped increase the number of people using public transport in Malta.

A €12 million budget will be set in place to provide free public transport for persons with disability. Minister Owen Bonnici explained that Local Wardens will be transferred under on closed department.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced the proposal which would see the setting up of a railway. The Malta Independent asked for more details on this project. The Prime Minister explained that the government will soon polish this proposal. "There a lot of different alternatives which we will need to consider. We would be very naïve to move forward without conducting the proper studies."

He said the government has already commissioned different reports by international experts. "There are choices to be made and there needs to be proper consultation."

It was also explained that the scrappage scheme will be extended so that every person who chooses to scrap his or her car, will get €2,500 voucher for a 125cc motorcycle.

PL is also proposing smart-parking technology all across the country. Through this application, drivers would know how many parking places are left in real-time. The government will also present more Public Private Partnership for more public parking spaces. These parking spaces will be accompanied by open spaces and proper landscaping.

Joseph Muscat also explained that those persons who would have a piece of land and who would want to convert it into a parking, would pay only 15% tax for the first seven years.  

Muscat also commented on the local public transport situation. He said that, although there's room for progress, the service has made a lot of progress. "At least you no longer hear incidents of buses caught on fire," he said.