Valletta entry fees delayed again

Mar 01, 2007 06:03:33

Cynthia Busuttil The scheme, through which drivers will be charged to enter Valletta, that was due to come into force today, has been postponed by "a couple of weeks", a spokesman for the Roads Ministry told The Times yesterday. The spokesman said the delay was meant to enable the operator to make some changes to the scheme. He did not give details of the changes or of any new date for the introduction of the scheme. This is the second time the payment system was postponed. It was originally meant to be in operation in January but was put back to March 1. When it comes into force, motorists will be charged 35c for every hour they remain in Valletta, up to a maximum charge of Lm2.80 a day. There will be no charge for the first half hour. Entry into Valletta will be monitored through cameras that will record the entry and exit times of each vehicle. The scheme will replace the V licence system and, together with the Park and Ride scheme, is expected to reduce traffic flows through Floriana into Valletta by up to 50 per cent. Motorists whose V licence expires after the scheme comes into force will be given pro rata credit to be used for access into the city.