Prime Minister Robert Abela on Tuesday unveiled what he described as Malta's first holistic national transport plan, outlining a wide-ranging package of measures aimed at overhauling mobility, strengthening sea and land connectivity, and encouraging cleaner transport alternatives as part of the Labour Party's electoral campaign.

Presenting the "Malta in Motion" plan, Abela said the strategy is already starting to be implemented and is built around different transport systems designed to complement each other over the coming years.

A central pillar of the proposal is the introduction of a rapid transport system tailored to Malta's realities, with implementation planned over a 15-year period. Alongside this, Transport Malta is developing a digital application intended to integrate all forms of public transport into a single platform, allowing commuters to plan journeys using buses, Y-Plates, ferries, micro-mobility systems such as bicycles, and eventually the rapid transit system.

Labour is also proposing the introduction of a "mobility wallet", a digital platform bringing together all public transport services while rewarding users with mobility credits when they opt for alternative means of transport. These credits could then be redeemed on transport and other products or services.

Abela said the government also wants to revise Malta's bus route network, retaining routes that work while introducing new or different ones according to demand. The plan includes more routes reaching town centres through the use of smaller buses and increased frequency on busy routes, together with improved punctuality and stronger links with ferry services and the future rapid transport system.

The Prime Minister said the government will continue increasing the number of electric vehicles within the public transport fleet, with the target of fully converting the Gozo fleet this year.

On sea transport, Abela announced plans to further expand the fast ferry network, including new connections to Marsaskala and extended operating hours.

Parking and traffic management also featured prominently in the proposals. Abela said initiatives are underway to create more parking spaces, including underground parking beneath open public spaces. Transport Malta has also issued a call for the use of private parking facilities that are typically closed at night.

Labour is additionally proposing locality-based residents' parking schemes developed in consultation with residents, local councils and businesses, though Abela stressed that the model would not involve paid parking systems.

Among other transport-related measures, the Labour Party pledged to remove licence-related fees for motorcycles up to 350cc and double the e-bike purchase incentive for youths aged between 16 and 18 to €1,300.

The party also announced that from 2029 onwards, every new vehicle used for passenger transport, including rental cars, would need to be electric or hybrid.

At the same time, Labour pledged continued investment in road infrastructure, identifying major projects including the Barrani/Bir id-Deheb junction, the Paceville junction, the Qormi Imgħallaq junction and improvements to the Burmarrad junction.

Abela also outlined maritime infrastructure projects, including a €55 million investment in a new breakwater at St Elmo aimed at reducing wave impact inside the Grand Harbour. He said the shore-to-ship electricity project already introduced in the Grand Harbour would continue to be expanded to the Freeport.

Further works are planned in Marsaxlokk, where the Delimara breakwater is set to undergo maintenance and extension works to provide greater shelter for vessels.

As part of the Malta Vision 2050 strategy, Abela said the government also intends to regenerate the Grand Harbour area through a four-zone plan, beginning with the Marsa creek area and Customs House.

Gozo connectivity formed another major component of the announcement. Abela said Labour aims to strengthen connectivity between Malta and Gozo by more than 25%, including investment in a completely new Gozo Channel fleet and a dedicated cargo vessel.

The Prime Minister said that once the Gozo airstrip project is completed, an inter-island air taxi service would also be introduced. Labour is likewise promising additional fast ferry links, improvements to the Mġarr and Marsalforn port infrastructure, and the extension of on-demand bus services to Gozo.