Car-free day, tomorrow, should serve as an eye-opener for the need of a sustainable transport policy, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Michael Briguglio said.

Addressing a news conference in Sliema he said:

“Green policy prioritises use of public transport and cycling. Private vehicle use has increased at an alarming rate, leading to an increase in road congestion and pollution.

 “Pedestrians’ rights are to be safeguarded. As such, more pedestrian zones should be created, especially in commercial areas and in our village and town centres.

“The accessibility of our roads for the disabled, the elderly and parents of young children needs to be improved. Maximum speed limits in residential areas should be reduced to 30km per hour, with a view to keeping all pedestrians safer while giving back the use of such roads to the community.”

Transport spokesman Ralph Cassar said AD recognised the need for the public transport reform as well as certain positive aspects such as the use of modern Euro 5 buses which had lower emissions.

However, the service was not meeting demand especially in the morning and when people finished from work. Certain routes were too long and there were not enough buses to sustain the service efficiently.

AD suspected that the aim of the reform was to reduce subsidies, he said.