Student organisations have a problem with the €25k offer to quit driving

Several student unions and councils have expressed their “disappointment” at a government scheme offering €25,000 to youths who give up their car and commit to not driving for five years.

The National Youth Council (KNŻ) and over 10 student organisations issued a statement arguing that a financial incentive without a trustworthy public transport system was not enough to convince young people to give up their vehicles.

“The Maltese National Youth Council expresses its disappointment with the newly introduced Government scheme,” the statement read.

While acknowledging the government’s intention to reduce traffic and promote sustainable mobility, the organisations raised concern about the initiative’s effectiveness, as well as how public funds are being prioritised.

They noted that even with €5 million allocated annually and a total of €25 million overall, “the scheme can at most lead to the temporary removal of only 1,000 drivers from the road throughout the course of the scheme”.

In their view, this “represents a limited impact, particularly when the same investment could instead be directed towards addressing the root causes of car dependency in Malta and improving public transport infrastructure.”

The students stressed that “young people have repeatedly expressed that no financial incentive would convince them to give up their car under the current public transport system”.

They pointed to the lack of pedestrian infrastructure, limited alternative modes of transport such as cycling, and an unreliable public transport service, particularly for those living outside central areas. They said routes are often infrequent, overcrowded, and lack adequate connections beyond major hubs.

The group urged the government to move away from short-term incentives and instead prioritise long-term investment in the transport system. This should include increasing the frequency, reliability and comfort of buses; creating direct routes between smaller towns and key destinations such as Valletta, Sliema, the University and Mater Dei; and introducing inter-town shuttle services.

They welcomed other initiatives such as the park-and-ride facilities in Addolorata and Ta’ Qali. 

They noted that “investing these €25 million in an accessible and reliable public transport system has the potential to remove thousands of cars from Malta’s roads, rather than temporarily reducing just 1,000”.

They also argued that a more efficient public transport system would discourage young people from getting a driving licence in the first place, as a strong alternative would already be in place.

The scheme, which offers up to 1,000 grants on a first-come, first-served basis to 18- to 30-year-olds who agree not to drive for five years, was first announced by Transport Minister Chris Bonett in March 2025. It forms part of a broader strategy to reduce the number of vehicles on Malta’s roads.

Initially, the scheme was to be open to all drivers, but it was later limited to younger applicants following a public consultation.