VaTIS launched as part of European Mobility Week
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg visited Valletta Local Council in order to launch VaTIS, which forms part of the European Mobility Week.
On 14th July, Minister Borg announced a number of initiatives in celebration of this week in 2017. This is the fourth edition of the competition and this year’s theme is “Sharing gets you further”, promoting shared mobility.
This visit initiated one of the projects which were financed by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects together with Transport Malta, through funds which are being made available for local councils which are interested in proposing innovative projects towards more sustainable mobility.
In his address, Dr Borg encouraged local councils who did not participate in past editions to submit various projects for the consideration of the Selection Board, and went on to thank on behalf of the Central Government those local councils who have participated in this initiative year after year.
He said that various local councils have benefitted from funding towards permanent projects similar to the one which was being launched.
Among benefitting councils, Dr Borg mentioned the Valletta, Bormla, Qormi, Paola, Għajnsielem and St. Paul’s Bay local councils, and stated that later on this year, the rest of the projects which have already benefitted from the scheme will be launched. He stated that the government is considering increasing funds allocated towards these measures as of next year.
The minister praised the Valletta Local Council as one of the most active local councils with regard to competitions related to European Mobility Week, with the same council forming part of a project financed by the main programme of DG MOVE, Civitas, together with Transport Malta, the Ministry for Tourism and the University of Malta.
A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is to be put together for Valletta and the Valletta Region thanks to the project, and several pilot projects are expected to be launched.
Dr Borg spoke about how VaTIS includes the development of an App which will update the public with real time information about the state of traffic and any road closures in Valletta. This App was developed through collaboration with the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta.
He went on to explain how other initiatives include the installation of sensors in public parking lots and street parking spaces in Valletta. Because of this initiative, we can avoid congestion and also facilitate parking in Valletta, towards better access for those who live, work and visit our capital city, the minister concluded.