Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said that the widening of roads is “probably” encouraging private care use , “but has also encouraged public transport.”

He was delivering a speech at a press conference, where it was announced that 40 new buses will join the fleet of the public transport sector with the aim of improving the service. The fleet will increase from 405 to 435 buses, as 10 vehicles will be withdrawn from the road.

The idea of widening roads leading to a higher number of cars has been criticised by many NGOs who are arguing against the widening of roads and chopping of trees. The minister’s statement will undoubtedly strengthen their call.

“You don’t see the Minister of Finance very often giving press conferences out in the open. We seem to work more in the background but then some people tend to conclude that we don’t have an opinion on anything, this is not the case. We have a very strong opinion on transport and any part of the economy. We do that by negotiating and deciding in favour or against certain measures which would use the taxpayers’ money. One of them is public transport. For example, the widening of roads. Some would say that it is encouraging private cars. Maybe and it probably is, but it has also encouraged public transport, and now we realise how crucial public transport is for solving or for easing the pain of congestion on our roads.”

“It will take a long time to change the culture , with our love for our motorcars – which are our property and we are proud of – but we have to change the culture so that, when it is not needed, we take public transport as one does abroad. You do that if you have a modern fleet, which is efficient with the latest technology, comfortable and meets your needs. That is why we are supporting this initiative,” he said.