The Nationalist Party today suggested that the government is being told to limit the number of cars on roads as a way of reducing traffic congestion.

In a statement, PN spokesman Toni Bezzina said that “studies reaching the government” are suggesting withdrawing driving licences or limiting the number of cars on roads as a way of solving Malta’s traffic problems.

There are currently nearly 400,000 licensed cars on local roads.

The PN statement linked the studies’ recommendations to the government’s population growth policies, saying that many foreign workers who were moving to Malta were resorting to buying cars to get around. 

“In a nutshell, Maltese and Gozitan drivers will pay the price for the government’s policy of increasing the country’s population,” Bezzina said. 

“It is clear that people are not being served by public transport, despite it costing €30 million a year in subsidies,” he said.

The PN wanted the government to invest in a mass transport system that would reduce Malta’s dependency on cars. 

In reply, the Labour Party said the government is committed to reduce traffic but limiting use of vehicles is not part of the plan.

The Nationalist administration ignored the traffic problem for 25 years and the Labour government is addressing the issue while at the same time improving public trasport.

The PN's criticism after roads needed to be closed for a few days while work was carried out shows that the PN has nothing much to say, the PL said.