Whilst appreciating and encouraging the government’s Budget2017 proposal, that 18 year-olds will be able to make use of the Public Transport at no expense, we believe that this proposal alone will not lead to what is really required, to reduce cars from the Maltese streets and reduce traffic in general.
As a result we are slightly disappointed at the lack of incentives offered to students in general, to encourage them to use Public Transport. We hope that this a pilot project, which will then be extended to a wider range of students should it prove effective. Consequently, in the lack of incentives for current student drivers, we believe that the former will continue to use their personal cars.
SDM is pleased to note that the government will be enhancing the infrastructure at the University of Malta with new buildings, and renovations of the Valletta and Junior College campuses. We were also very pleased to hear that the government will help in the bulding of a University residence and a Car Park. On the other hand, we are disappointed that research at University of Malta was, yet again, not given a priority.
We found ourselves at a loss why our two-wheel fund proposal was not given any importance. Back in the KSU Elections we had said that; “SDM in KSU will create a two-wheel fund, in which student first buyers on bicycles and scooters will get a percentage cut off rebate as an incentive to leave their cars home.” Therefore while we are very satisfied that the government announced that €150,000 will be allocated to reimbursements for bicycle purchases, or to capital expenses related to the use of bicycles, such as the installations of showers, we are equally disappointed that students were left out of the picture in this regard.
SDM also positively greets that after a consultation with MCAST students and the administration, the Government will be reforming the apprenticeships schemes, with the apprenticeships offered now being of sufficient quality.
Ultimately, we are satisfied that our #BeAWinner campaign was fundamental to inspire the Government to work on the sports sector in Malta and Gozo.