Malta, which has the most congested roads in Europe—and second-most in the world—is trying out a scheme to buy some of its motorists off the road with a €25,000 bonus.
The program, which pays participants €5,000 a year for five years, is open to drivers under 30 and requires them to surrender their license, and pledge not to drive any other vehicle in Malta or abroad. The offer isn’t unlimited; budget constraints will set the number of spots.
Malta has long faced challenges related to traffic congestion, driven by a high number of vehicles relative to its size and population. With a population of just over half a million, the island has seen a steady increase in vehicle registrations in recent years, placing pressure on road infrastructure and contributing to longer travel times for commuters.
To ensure the program hits its desired target, it requires that applicants must be under 30, have lived in Malta for at least 7 years and held a license for at least 12 months with no serious penalties or suspensions. Participants who want to resume driving after five years will be required to undergo training and relicensing.
Whether the plan will have long-term effects will depend on a number of factors, including what progress may happen in expanding public transport so that cars seem less necessary to more people. Focusing on younger drivers, though, may pay off if many participants do not resume driving, and older drivers shrink in numbers by attrition.
