Alternattiva Demokratika leader Harry Vassallo has called for innovative thinking on transport systems in Malta, saying road congestion is growing, as is pollution caused by vehicle emissions. He told a press conference that the first step has to be the removal of all monopolies and near monopolies in public transport to ensure that there will be attractive rewards for those who provide the fast, efficient and reliable services the country needs. The government should also remove all legal difficulties for those interested in investing in private schemes for carpooling, timesharing and pay-by-use of vehicles, he said. He said that those who do not apply for a driver's licence at 18 should be allowed to travel free on public transport and be entitled to hold a licence to drive a low-powered motor cycle exempt from registration and road licence fees. He said AD favoured resident parking schemes in the whole country and said Malta should identify the most appropriate mass transit system such as an underground rail system.