The Maltese government will be studying the option of introducing urban rail systems in great detail in the near future, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi has told an EU conference.

He explained that, unlike larger countries, Malta does do not have the luxury or space to build new road bypasses to alleviate traffic bottlenecks.

Over the last four years or so, the government had adopted a new approach to transport policy, an approach designed to better manage travel demand and bring about a modal shift from cars onto public transport and more people were now using the buses.

"The introduction of urban rail systems could, quite conceivably, be the next stage in this modal shift policy. We will be studying this mobility option in great detail in the near future," the minister said.  

The Transport Ministry has organised a major conference to take place in Malta next month, bringing together public and sectors from across Europe as well as academia and civil society to have a focussed discussion on the planning and financing of urban rail systems in the EU.

The comments were made when the minister addressed the International Rail Forum and Conference in Prague.

He outlined that the Maltese Presidency of the EU has built upon the work carried out under the Dutch and Slovak Presidencies to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the EU transport sector and Malta will work tirelessly towards reinforcing the functioning of the internal market. 

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