The government will review or scrap the CVA parking system in Valletta by the next Budget, the prime minister said at a public consultation meeting this evening.
He said the system needed to be changed or scrapped because of the negative impact it was having on the Valletta business community.
Dr Muscat was replying to questions at the last of a series of consultation meetings held by ministers. Dr Muscat's meeting, by far the best attended, was held in the courtyard of the Auberge de Castille.
The prime minister said the government was looking at various Valletta parking options that included reverting to the old system whereby people paid an annual license to drive into the capital.
Other options included extending the times when motorists could enter Valletta for free.
"We want to reform or scrap the CVA system," he said to loud applause.
Turning to the public transport system, he said the Arriva CEO told him he was committed to improving the system.
The government, Dr Muscat said, also wanted to review the park and ride system.
"The park and ride site today is a cemetery. It is part of Arriva's contract and I hope to find a solution," he said.
He said it was unacceptable that the "arrogant" Transport Malta had spent €800,000 in consultancy fees for a bus service that was flawed.
He said the Whistleblower Bill had been approved by Cabinet and tomorrow morning it would be discussed by the Parliamentary Group. In the evening it would be presented in parliament so that next week it would be debated. It would come into force by the end of July when Parliament rises up for the summer.
Speaking about the new Parliament building he said a decision would soon be taken on its uses to ensure it was used by as many people as possible for as long as possible.
Dr Muscat said the new administration had found substantial squandering of public funds, of which little had been disclosed to far. Several independent audits in various entities were being carried out to establish the situation. The findings would be published and those responsible would be held to account.
VISIT TO ISRAEL
Dr Muscat said he plans to visit Israel by the end of the year, the first visit by any Maltese prime minister (A planned visit by Lawrence Gonzi was cancelled because of the Arab Spring uprisings).
Dr Muscat said Russia was another country to tap into.
STIPENDS
Replying to other questions, he said that by the next budget the government would raise the students' stipends pro rata with the cost of living.
He said the Land Department was identifying properties in Valletta that could be turned into job-creating projects such as the conversions into boutique hotels.