Transport Malta defends legality of Gzira-Sliema priority lane

Transport Malta has rebutted media reports that the Sliema-Gzira bus lane is illegal, stating that the lane in question is a priority lane and thus open to a number of other vehicles aside from buses. 

Referring to today’s Times of Malta front page, TM said in a press statement that the lane is considered a priority lane, which can be used by electric vehicles, bicycles and LPG vehicles as well as buses.

“Paragraph H of Title E (“Mandatory – Operation”) of Part II (“Regulatory Signs”)  of the Schedule to S.L. 65.05 (Traffic Signs and Carriageway Markings Regulations) gives the Authority to reserve a priority lane that “may only be used by any motor route bus and any other passenger transport vehicle, taxis and, where authorised, by karozzini, and by motorcycles, pedal cycles and any other vehicles on priority duty as is mentioned in regulation 83(1),” Transport Malta said.

“The proper term is not 'bus lane' but ' priority lane' as it is not reserved solely for buses. These 'bus lanes' have been in place for years now; the one in St. Anne Street and in Aldo Moro Street, Marsa, for example,” the statement continues.

“There is no legislation specifying any number of lanes for a priority lane to be put in place.”