Transport Minister Chris Bonett on Friday announced the government's "Back to School" traffic management plan. As of this month, he said one can expect to see more Transport Malta enforcement officers managing traffic flow and lesser road closures during peak traffic hours on weekdays, and on the ground assistance at busy bus stops.
Minister Bonett stated that as summer is coming to an end, it is inevitable for drivers to experience a "shock" period of activity in our roads across September and October, as the scholastic year begins.
Before discussing this traffic management plan in detail, the Transport Minister appealed that "we will have to use our resources better" to get around, and called for people to not be fully reliant on their personal cars, but to make use of fast ferry services and the Tallinja bus network.
Minister Bonett also said that, in his opinion, the situation on the roads "has improved" and objectively, "it looks like things are improving everyday." In this regard, he noted that it is normal to have some traffic in a country with a thriving economy, and that "if you don't want traffic, we can go back to Covid, which no-one wants."
Over 80 enforcement officers to assist traffic flow in 33 zones
An integral component of this traffic plan is to have over 80 of Transport Malta's enforcement officers situated in 33 zones around Malta and Gozo to manage traffic flow during hectic hours.
One can expect enforcement officers to be in "critical areas" in the mornings between 6:30am and 9:30am, and in the afternoon between 3:30pm and 6:30pm. TM's Enforcement Directorate shall be focusing mainly on Malta's central and southern areas.
On top of Transport Malta's 10 motorcycles patrolling nine separate areas and 35 officers in 17 fixed points, 26 enforcement officers are going to be stationed at 16 new fixed points on weekday mornings.
These new fixed points are by the traffic lights near the Ħal Qormi post office, by the traffic lights at Triq Diċembru 13, Marsa, an adjacent side street to this arterial road, Triq G. Garabaldi, Paola, Pembroke's High Ridge Roundabout, by the Tom Tailor shop in Paola, the Erba' Mwieżeb Roundabout in St. Paul's Bay, Tarxien's Mintoff Roundabout, near Bathroom Design in Iklin, St Dorothy's Roundabout in Żebbuġ, by the HSBC branch in Ħal Qormi, near the Corradino Facility in Paola, by Mitħna, Qormi, at the L-Imselliet Roundabout in Mġarr, the traffic lights at Alf. Gatt, Qormi, and by Caffé Pastucci near St. Philips and Lidl.
For afternoons, two additional fixed points were proposed on top of the seven current fixed points for TM officers: the Msida Skate Park Roundabout (Għargħur) and Montebello Roundabout (Żejtun).
In addition, ten TM motorcycles will be patrolling nine different areas in order to promote road safety and efficient traffic flow in the case an accident arises.
Road closures for roadworks to be avoided between 6am and 9:30am
A central element of the "Back to School" traffic management plan relates to barring local councils from issuing permits that involve road closures during weekday mornings when schools are open.
Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia said that this TM policy will not work via a blanket ban approach and will offer some leniency, though the priority will be for projects not to disrupt traffic flow and, hence, for people's routines not to be disrupted either.
Excluding public holidays and school holidays, no permits will be issued by local councils between Monday and Friday, between the morning hours of 6:00am and 9:30am, if these permits are in the vicinity of schools, on roads known for or that may contribute to traffic congestion, or if such a permit calls for the closure of a road without prior consultation with Transport Malta.
This will be applicable from this coming Monday, 15 September 2025.
This decision was taken to leave these local roads open and it comes from the reasoning that whenever an accident occurs in an arterial road that forces a road blockage, and an instant abundance of traffic in a concentrated area, then people will be forced to use secondary and local roads within local towns and villages. Therefore, it is imperative that these streets remain open as viable options for traffic to flow, it was said during Friday's press conference.
Transport Malta will carefully review active permits and new proposals. In doing so, essential works will be prioritised for approval. During this process, the government authority will take into account proximity to traffic-sensitive roads and observe if any such locations are within a 500-metre school buffer zone.
Under certain circumstances, local councils may issue permits related to parking spaces without the need to inform Transport Malta.
Local councils are instructed to consult with Transport Malta if they have any doubts on any of this.
Proposed site upgrades
As part of this traffic management plan, 18 arterial works and changes in residential networks have been done, are underway, or are yet to commence over the coming days.
In Żabbar, works are in hand to install loop detectors at Triq Villabate - Vjal il-Labour, bollards have been erected in in Kavallerija, Marsa, repairs are underway in Bontadini Road, Birkirkara to amend damage caused from an accident, works are also in hand for the Mrieħel Bypass, and other works have been completed at the corner of Luqa Road, by the Luqa Primary School at Triq Sant Andrija, by the Marsascala Primary School at Triq Sant' Anna, by Kulleġġ St. Thomas Moore in Żejtun, and by the Mellieħa Primary School at Triq Edward Camilleri.
Amongst other completed interventions, parking was realigned in Triq l-Aħwa Cefai, Msida, to reduce congestion; similarly, junction parking at Triq il-Kulleġġ L-Antik, Sliema/St. Julian's was realigned for better flow; and a bus stop was repositioned for smoother traffic and safer boarding at Triq L-Imrabat, Sliema.
Works are underway by Kulleġġ San Gorg Preca at Triq Pace Forno. Additionally, a monitoring trial is in progress at Triq il-Mastrudaxxa (corner with Triq Ħal Qormi) for the new traffic management plan; the area around Pioneer Road, Buġibba was examined with an alternative option to upgrade Triq Kennedy's corner to Triq Wileg in the coming weeks; and in Triq Borg Olivier, Rabat, authorities are evaluating the best alternative to lead to the implementation of a trial period there as well.
Works are still pending to commence at Triq il-Mitħna, Qormi and in Valletta Road, Mosta.
Following consultation meetings with the Ministry for Education and with coach associations to identify issues observed by school transport, measures are going to be introduced to ease wider congestion on local roads. Ongoing works are also underway to improve traffic flow, road safety, and promote better organisation across other school zones. To alleviate traffic congestion, upgrades have been authorised in Triq Mountbatten in Ħamrun, and around Safi Primary and Għaxaq Primary.
12 locations pinpointed to boost bus service on the ground
Through this campaign, certain points have been identified where "assistance from personnel on the ground would greatly benefit the bus service." The scope of this is to reduce traffic congestion by enshrining a "last mile" concept discussed by Transport Minister Chris Bonett.
During Friday's press conference, Minister Bonett called for people to reduce traffic congestion in busy areas and not being fully reliant on their personal cars. He called for people - if they cannot use public transport for their entire journeys - to use public transport or other sustainable means of travel to commute "the last mile."
The Minister for Transport said that the government is working to offer parking slightly outside of busy areas in hopes that people can then end their commute through these means without congesting critical and sensitive areas. He noted that doing so will reduce emissions within the transport sector.
He added that through Park & Ride (P&R) services, the government is hoping to attract youths to invoke this culture change. He observed that youths are the targeted demographic for this ambition since they are the demographic most likely to change their ways of life, which is what's required for culture to shift.
Minister Bonett said that 120 parking spaces are currently set up at the P&R in Blata l-Bajda.
This traffic management plan will commence this coming Monday, on 15 September.