An underground public transport system along with road tax exemptions for motorbikes are just two of the proposals being put forward by the Forum Unions Maltin for next year’s budget.

The umbrella organisation said that, rather than spend huge amounts of taxpayers’ money on bus subsidies, a more long-term solution would be to invest in underground transport.

Forum is also proposing that the cost of gym membership and health clinics should be made tax free to encourage more people to be active and reduce the financial burden of the health sector.

Similar incentives were already in place on eco-friendly vehicles so the next step would be to adopt a similar approach to promote a healthy lifestyle, Forum said.

Meanwhile, the Enemalta Senior Staff Union which was set up in 2000 has recently joined the Forum, bringing the total number of unions affiliated with it to 12.