A nation on the move: 160 years of Maltese public transport

Heritage Malta has launched a new publication about the history of transport in Malta

Public transport in Malta is not merely a system; it is a saga. It is the story of an island that learned to move, adapt and reinvent itself with every new era. From the thunder of hooves on dusty roads to the growl of diesel engines echoing through narrow streets, Malta’s mobility has always reflected the pulse of its people.

But as motorised transport began to take hold, the karozzin trade faced existential pressure. By 1921, around 1,800 coachmen were still active, yet within a decade their numbers had begun to fall sharply. Strikes, protests and attempts to protect their livelihood marked this turbulent transition – a human story that historian Edward Attard captures with sensitivity.

Read more about the new publication on Times2.

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