Petition No.: 55 Signatures: 342 Sign Petition
Fourteenth Legislature (2022 - )
Details - Online
Title
Prioritize Public Transport, Not Private Car Subsidies
Date
13-01-2025
Date petition closes for signatures
21-03-2025
Creator of petition
MARTIN GALEA DE GIOVANNI
Grievance
In December 2024, news emerged about the Government’s decision to reallocate European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds from the electrification of Malta's public transport fleet to subsidies for private electric car purchases. This decision represents a significant departure from Malta’s original RRF Plan, which prioritized investments in sustainable public transport to reduce social inequalities, curb emissions, and support equitable mobility for all. The electrification of public buses is a vital step toward addressing Malta’s severe car dependence and traffic issues, which have been recognised by the European Commission as major barriers to achieving climate goals, as well as a necessary incentive to increase modal shift towards sustainable forms of mobility.
Despite these implications, the Government has reportedly made this decision in secret, without public consultation or approval from the European Commission, as required under Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241. As of December 2024, the European Commission Representation in Malta stated that no formal amendment request had been submitted by the Government of Malta.
This lack of transparency and failure to adhere to proper procedures undermines public trust and raises concerns about whose interests are being served by this decision. The reallocation of funds disproportionately benefits wealthier individuals who can afford private electric vehicles, while neglecting the broader public interest in affordable, sustainable, and efficient public transportation.
Despite these implications, the Government has reportedly made this decision in secret, without public consultation or approval from the European Commission, as required under Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241. As of December 2024, the European Commission Representation in Malta stated that no formal amendment request had been submitted by the Government of Malta.
This lack of transparency and failure to adhere to proper procedures undermines public trust and raises concerns about whose interests are being served by this decision. The reallocation of funds disproportionately benefits wealthier individuals who can afford private electric vehicles, while neglecting the broader public interest in affordable, sustainable, and efficient public transportation.
Wherefore I/we respectfully request the House of Representatives to
1. Ensure transparency and accountability by compelling the Government to publicly disclose the rationale behind this proposed funding shift, including any correspondence with the European Commission.
2. Ensure the Government suspends the proposed reallocation of funds until a formal amendment request is submitted to and approved by the European Commission, as mandated by EU regulations.
3. Requests the Government to conduct a public consultation to allow citizens and residents to voice their opinions on the use of RRF funds, ensuring that decisions are made democratically and in the public interest.
4. Requests the Government to reprioritize public transport investments, such as electrifying the bus fleet and exploring the development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, to promote sustainable urban mobility and benefit all citizens equitably.
5. Requests the Government to implement safeguards in the current Public Transport concession agreement to ensure continuity of the service at the end of the concession (2030), including the use of the electric fleet and related infrastructure.
2. Ensure the Government suspends the proposed reallocation of funds until a formal amendment request is submitted to and approved by the European Commission, as mandated by EU regulations.
3. Requests the Government to conduct a public consultation to allow citizens and residents to voice their opinions on the use of RRF funds, ensuring that decisions are made democratically and in the public interest.
4. Requests the Government to reprioritize public transport investments, such as electrifying the bus fleet and exploring the development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, to promote sustainable urban mobility and benefit all citizens equitably.
5. Requests the Government to implement safeguards in the current Public Transport concession agreement to ensure continuity of the service at the end of the concession (2030), including the use of the electric fleet and related infrastructure.
Closing remarks
We, a group of environmental NGOs - Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti, and Rota - are deeply concerned about the Government’s proposed reallocation of EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds. This change not only jeopardizes Malta’s ability to meet its climate targets but also exacerbates transport, social, and environmental inequalities, while undermining public trust in how decisions about public funds are made.
We invite the public, particularly underrepresented groups such as the elderly, workers, parents and guardians, people with disabilities and students, to join us in signing this petition. By doing so, we can collectively demand that public funds are used to strengthen and improve public transport, ensuring equitable benefits for all citizens and residents of Malta.
Together, we can advocate for a transparent, fair, and sustainable approach to the use of EU funding. By signing this petition, we urge the Government to prioritize public transport investments that serve the entire nation and align with Malta’s environmental and social objectives. Let us ensure decisions are made democratically and with the best interests of all Maltese citizens and residents at heart.
We invite the public, particularly underrepresented groups such as the elderly, workers, parents and guardians, people with disabilities and students, to join us in signing this petition. By doing so, we can collectively demand that public funds are used to strengthen and improve public transport, ensuring equitable benefits for all citizens and residents of Malta.
Together, we can advocate for a transparent, fair, and sustainable approach to the use of EU funding. By signing this petition, we urge the Government to prioritize public transport investments that serve the entire nation and align with Malta’s environmental and social objectives. Let us ensure decisions are made democratically and with the best interests of all Maltese citizens and residents at heart.