Transport Malta will shortly be publishing regulations for trackless trains and issuing two new routes for the operation of such a service in St Paul’s Bay and Marsaxlokk.

This service is currently offered on the Rabat route by one operator.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt told a news conference this was part of the ongoing liberalisation and reform of the transport sector.

Any party interested in offering the service would have to register with Transport Malta (TM), which would issue a licence, and operators would have to stick to established routes.

Fares would be unregulated but fees and schedules would have to be published and the authority would make sure they were adhered to, he said. The minister said there could be competition on the same route but it depends on the number of operators and traffic.

TM was also open to evaluating other routes.

Dr Gatt also said that talks with taxi owners were expected to conclude satisfactorily next week and the white taxi reform would come on board in July.

He criticised the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for taking too long to process the Barrakka Lift application.

He insisted it did not make sense to have a scheduled ferry service in the port to ease traffic congestion in surrounding towns unless the lift was operational.

Dr Gatt said that two electric vans will also be operating within Valletta as part of the reform.

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