Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg said that, to combat traffic congestion in the Maltese islands, the PN is proposing an opt-in scheme where cars that are driven for less than 500 kilometres over a full year will be exempt from paying the annual driving licence fee.

Through this scheme, discounted rates, of up to 80% of the total amount, will be offered pro-rata for cars driven between 500-5,000 kilometres annually, the PN leader said. The less you drive, the less you pay, he said.

During a political event for the twelfth district in St Paul's Bay, PN leader Alex Borg proposed this pledge that his party will introduce if the electorate entrusts it to govern the country at the end of this month.

He said that some people do not use their cars every day, referencing the elderly who don't leave their houses as often and people who are given the option to work from home, yet pay the same licence fees as everyone else.

Borg clarified that if elected, a PN government under his leadership will not increase annual driving licence fees and that this measure would be introduced "to motivate people to use alternative methods (of transport), instead of cars."

The PN leader said that this measure is designed to incentivise people to not use their cars and to reduce traffic congestion around the Maltese islands. He said that the average car, across a full calendar year, is driven through 7,000km.

Through this scheme, that drivers will need to opt into, cars that are driven for less than 500km will be exempt from paying this annual payment, while cars driven for over 500km but less than 5,000km in 12 months can pay up to 80% of the full amount.

Borg added that with this percentage fluctuating pro-rata, cars that are driven over 3,000km in one year will get a larger discount than those driven over 5,000km of land.

He said that if the average driver uses their personal car to travel 5,000km in a full year, instead of 7,000km, then quality of life across the country will improve through better air quality and, resultantly, less traffic congestion.

"This is one of several measures that will help us improve the traffic issue - until a PN government implements its mass transport plan," Borg said.

Ironically, Borg arrived at this party activity late after getting stuck in traffic himself on the way to St. Paul's Bay.

He made his way through the crowd of PN supporters in attendance after all 10 other PN candidates on District 12 addressed those present.

Studies on PN's proposed mass transport system complete, ready to implement from Day 1, Borg says

Borg said that under the PN's vision, this proposed measure could help mitigate the national traffic problem until his government implements its mass transport plan.

Borg said that the studies for the PN's proposed mass transport system have been done, that his administration would publish these studies "immediately" after its election, and that "if the people trust us, we will start implementing it immediately."

On Monday evening, during the launch of the PN's electoral manifesto, the Nationalist Party shared its keynote transport pledge: an 11.5-kilometre metro line, with eight stations and 10 trains.

Borg committed that this metro's first line will be operable within five years, in contrast to the PL government's proposed rapid transit system which still requires "another five years of studies."

On Tuesday, Borg said that these two PN measures go hand-in-hand, unlike the "inconsistencies" announced by its rival Labour Party.

Here, Borg referenced how just a few months after launching its Driving Licence Surrender Scheme, Prime Minister Abela came out with an electoral pledge to launch a €5,000 grant (or €12,000 if it's for an electric vehicle) for parents of at least three children to upgrade their vehicle for a bigger car.

Borg remarked that even before the University debate on Monday, heavy traffic was observed that, in his view, highlights how "many" of the government's "ideas and propaganda" have remained on billboards, including the long-awaited metro project.

He added that according to Prof. Marie Briguglio, Maltese traffic is costing the country €700 million annually.

Borg listed several of his party's main proposals during his speech to conclude this event.

He said that through the PN's electoral manifesto, the PN aims to place families at the heart of its politics and that his party showed the country that it not only has a vision for the coming legislature, but "for the next 20 years." The PN manifesto features 1,000 proposals.

PN to support hunters and trappers, MP Charles Azzopardi says

Prior to Borg's comments, all other PN candidates contesting the twelfth district addressed the crowd for a few minutes each. PN MP Charles Azzopardi, who is looking to retain his seat in Parliament, told the crowd in St. Paul's Bay, as the opening speaker, that the Nationalist Party will support hunters and trappers.

Azzopardi said that the Nationalist Party believes that Maltese hobbies (delizzji) are important to safeguard, even to help locals combat mental health struggles. He said that the PN "will support hunters and trappers who have felt frustrated by us, the PN, in the recent past."

In this regard, he apologised to hunters and trappers who have felt that the PN has made their lives difficult in recent years and shared that the PN is there for everyone, including them.

"I apologise for the difficult past we've given them. We are with hunters and trappers. We are with everyone," Azzopardi said.