Due to a direct decision by the Government to withdraw EU funds that were originally allocated to public transport, instead of 100 electric buses as promised in 2023, Malta has now seen the arrival of 100 new diesel-powered buses, the Nationalist Party said Friday.

This decision has not only deprived Malta of €7 million in EU funds meant for charging stations for these vehicles, but also of an additional €50 million in private investment - funds that could have contributed to cleaner air and less noise pollution, and supported the fight against climate change. These are vehicles that operate continuously throughout the day across our roads, and therefore should have been a top priority in the electrification of Malta's transport fleet.

The quality of our daily lives is directly linked to the quality of the air we breathe. Yet again, due to Labour's incompetence, the public will be left to inhale toxic diesel fumes from buses each time one passes by, the PN said.

The government is so aware of its own poor decision that it chose not to announce the arrival of these buses, which landed in Malta only hours ago, some of which will already be deployed for use as of today.

A new Nationalist Government will implement a fully electrified mass transport system, one that not only reduces emissions on our streets but also delivers an efficient and reliable service to the people, the PN said.

Above all, we commit to accountability and responsibility in public spending and the use of EU funds, always in the interest of the common good, not the privileged few.

Nationalist Party wants to deprive people of €34 million in grants for electric vehicles - PL

The PN's incompetence on the transport sector and its continuous U-turns on this matter is well known, the PL said in response.

"Not only has the Labour Government modernised the operation of buses, so that the fleet is being constantly renewed thus reducing pollution and providing passengers with more comfort, but it has also taken a wise decision that the €34 million, referred to by the PN in its statement, are used for sustainable transport schemes to ensure that they go directly in people's pockets."

"Recently, another scheme has also been introduced with a financial incentive of up to €1,000 for the purchase of a petrol motorcycle, an initiative to promote further the use of less polluting vehicles leading to a better quality of life. This was issued while a separate grant of €2,000 was launched for the purchase of an electric motorcycle. With today's statement, the Nationalist Party is saying that were it to lead the country, the €34 million would not have gone to the people. The PN wants to remove grants so that people won't be able to invest in an electric vehicle," the PL claimed.

"This is an absolute hypocrisy considering that while the Opposition wants to deprive you of funds, members of the Opposition, including PN MP Ryan Callus, one of the signatories of today's PN statement, benefited from the Government schemes to switch from a traditional to an electric car."