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| Controlled Vehicle Access, Valleta, Malta |
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Valletta (Malta)
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| To improve accessibility, combat increasing congestion and protect the heritage of the capital city, Valletta, the Maltese Government has abolished the previous V-licence and as from May 1st, 2007 vehicles entering the city pay an hourly charge. |
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Background & ObjectivesThe Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) System is one of a number of measure that the Maltese Government is taking to improve accessibility into Valletta . The system is also intended to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment. Prior to the CVA system implementation approximately 10,000 cars were entering the city on a daily basis.
ImplementationThe CVA system involves the use of cameras installed at entrance and exit points into Valletta using number plate recognition software and tailor-made software to calculate costs for each vehicle. There are nine entry points and six exit points around Valletta. The scheme is in operation from Monday to Friday (08.00 - 18.00 hrs) and Saturday (08.00 - 13.00 hrs), all other times are free.
Charges depend on the duration of each trip into the city, as follows
- 30 minutes, or less- Free
- One hour (minus first 30 mins)- 0.82 Euro
- Every additional 30 mins- 0.82 Euro
- Maximum daily charge- 6.52 Euro
An automated system calculates the duration of the visit and bill registered owners accordingly. More recently, a system of pre-paid CVA vouchers has being introduced, allowing visitors to Valletta to obtain vouchers that cover the CVA charge for a particular duration. Vouchers are available in two denominations corresponding to one full hour of charge and the maximum daily rate. The voucher system has been introduced in conjunction with the various payment methods available (including online, telephone and traditional cheque payments) mainly to provide an easy means for businesses to provide their clients or employees with a number of prepaid vouchers that can be applied towards payment of their CVA charge.
Exemptions from payment
- Residents
- Motorcyclists
- Electric vehicles
- Public transport vehicles
- Emergency and security vehicles
- Disabled car owners working in Valletta
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Initial results
Since the scheme was introduced there has being a
- A 22% drop in the total number of individual cars visiting Valletta every day for any length of time
- A 60% drop in car stays by non-residents of more than eight hours.
- However, there has been an marked increase of 34% in non-residential cars visiting the city for an hour or less.
Further information
For further information on the CVA scheme visit the Maltese Government Transport website at CVA website
AuthorMichael Carreno
Contact Michael Carreno
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Hits: 3462 |
Posted: 2007 |
| Last update: 2007 |
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12-20-2007
Miriam Cremona |
The CVA system in Valletta has exposed Valletta and its residents to more pollution since there is a much greater turnover of cars per day since the first half hour is free and there is no charge for entering Valletta and parking there after 6pm whereas the V plate in use prior to the CVA system effectively barred everybody except residents and the V licence holders. Moreover:
1. there are not enough parking spaces reserved for residents;
2.there is no effective monitoring of the few spaces reserved for residents to ensure that visitors to Valletta do not park there and
3.the traffic circulation in the residential streets where traffic is allowed is such that it takes some time to be able to cross the road safely.
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