Bus fares will not be raised when the new operator takes over in January, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna announced in the Budget speech this evening.

He said that wary of mistakes made in the past, the new operation will be rolled out gradually, with new routes being introduced over a number of weeks.

The new company (Spain’s Autobuses de Leon) will be given an annual subsidy of €23 million for a service which will cover a broader route network than before, he said.

Discounts will be given for season tickets.

He said the government will invest €8 million in a traffic management system for real time management of the roads and to advise motorists on the best routes to taken.

CAR POOLING INCENTIVES

The minister said the government will be announcing incentives to encourage car pooling and will partner a private company offering car pooling services. The incentives will include use of priority lanes and reserved parking.

TAX CREDIT FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORT USE

Furthermore, parents who send their children to church or independent schools will be given a tax credit of €150 when they opt to use school transport instead of their cars.
 

REFUND ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX

The Government will continue fulfilling its pledge of refunding the tax paid on vehicle registration. Hence, as from 2015, those who registered a vehicle for personal use between the 1st May and the 31st December 2004 will receive a refund. In this way, by next year, those who had registered a vehicle in 2004 would be reimbursed in full.

An incentive of €200 will be given to those motorists who convert their cars to autogas.

Refunds of 15% of the value of electric bicycles will also be given.

NEW CAR SCRAPPAGE SCHEME
The minister announced that a new car scrappage scheme will be introduced, with drivers receiving between €700 and €900 for their old car.

More stories on the Budget at http://www.timesofmalta.com/budget

The Budget will be discussed on TimesTalk on TVM at 6.45pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

 

 

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