PN 'guarantees' penalty point concessions for self-employed cabbies
Measures were not included in the electoral manifesto
Self-employed Y-plate drivers received a letter on Wednesday with a slate of promises from the Nationalist Party, including point concessions, relaxed parking rules and capped traffic fines.
The letter, signed by party leader Alex Borg, and dated May 27, was sent a day before the end of the electoral campaign, on Thursday.
“I am sending you this letter to share with you the measures that a new Nationalist government, if elected, will implement to support the sector and create more justice and opportunities,” the letter says.
The PN has not publicly announced the measures, which were not included in their electoral programme.
At the top of the list is allowing self-employed drivers more leeway if they are making point-deducting mistakes.
Under Malta's penalty points system, any driver who commits enough contraventions to accumulate 12 points will have their license revoked for two months (the first time) and then permanently. The PN says that the penalty points for self-employed drivers registered with JobsPlus will go up to 20.
Using a mobile phone while driving and exceeding the speed limit both carry between three and five penalty points, while reckless driving can carry between three and 11 points.
the letterThe PN leader also promised that drivers with European citizenship (including Maltese) would be given preference when getting their Y-plate tag.
“European citizens will be given preference in the Transport Malta tagging process so they may obtain authorisation to drive passenger transport vehicles. This means they will be able to sit for the theory and practical tests within 15 days from the date of application,” the letter says.
The party also promised that drivers with a Y-Plate permit would be allowed to park their vehicle free of charge during the day between 7am and 8pm, an increase of three hours. A PN government will also reduce fines for on-street parking over the time limit to €100.
“If someone exceeds the three-hour limit, the first fine will be €100, increasing by another €100 each time, with a maximum limit of €300 on citations issued within the same six-month period. After six months pass, the calculation resets,” the letter says.
Sources confirmed that a large number of the estimated 2,000 self-employed operators - mainly Maltese nationals - received the letter.
Questions were sent to the Nationalist Party on Wednesday evening, with a Thursday 11am deadline, asking why the pledges were not included in their electoral programme or publicly announced.