Electric bus to be used on Sliema circular route

Sliema will soon have an electric bus working on a circular route which will be sponsored by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, using money collected under the Commuted Parking Payment Scheme.

Transport Minister Censu Galea and the parliamentary secretary for the environment, George Pullicino, yesterday said that MEPA had changed its policy so that money collected under the scheme could also be used for providing environment friendly electric buses.

The Commuted Parking Payment Scheme (CPPS) is run by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and money is collected from developers who are unable to provide parking space. The money collected is then used to provide car parks in the locality. This policy has just been expanded following a suggestion by the government.

The low-floor electric buses bought under the scheme would have to operate in the localities where money has been collected. The money would only be used to purchase the bus and not to finance its operation. The Public Transport Association would be given the right of first refusal to operate such buses.

Sliema, St Julian's, Valletta, Floriana, St Paul's Bay, Mosta, Hamrun and Victoria, are taking part in the scheme.

The CPPS was introduced nine years ago. The money collected from Valletta and Floriana amounts to Lm350,000 and will be used to subsidise the infrastructure of a park and ride scheme.

The money collected from St Julian's amounts to Lm700,000 and will be used to erect two multi-storey car parks: one near the Institute of Tourism Studies and another in Pender Place.

Funds from St Paul's Bay amount to Lm335,000, part of which will be used to fund an underground car park to replace the temporary car park in the heart of Qawra.