The seminar presented the local eBussed Action Plan to the stakeholders and decision-makers, and what needs to be done for its successful implementation.
The eBussed final seminar for Gozo was held on Tuesday 21 June 2022 at the Cornucopia Hotel in Xaghra, Gozo. Representatives from the Ministry for Gozo, Gozo Business Chamber, Gozo Regional Development Authority, EMCS, Transport Malta, and Malta Public Transport were present for the meeting.
First, Mr Joseph Cutajar, director of EcoGozo Directorate for the Ministry for Gozo, welcomed the participants and explained that, as e-buses have only just been introduced in the country, the lessons learned from the project are essential as they can help the Maltese islands to decide on the way forward.
Mr Joseph Piscopo, the local coordinator in Malta, gave an overview of the project and the progress achieved: the work done in the thematic working groups, the drafted good practices, and the highlights from the two face-to-face meetings during this semester. He stressed the importance of these meetings, especially the lessons learnt from the well-organized study visits both in Utrecht and Hamburg. After the presentation, the attendees were shown a short video that summarized the Good practices found by Gozo.
Mr Joseph Piscopo followed with another presentation that introduced the local Action Plan describing the whole process from the initial Good Practice ideas to the final draft with two actions approved by the Interreg Europe Joint Secretariat.
Mr Mario Borg, CEO of the Gozo Regional Development Authority had the next session. He started by introducing GRDA and its role and mission in Gozo. He by explaining, how the local Action Plan will be integrated into the GRDA strategy.
Lastly, Ms Kimberlin Bartolo, Research and Projects executive at Malta Public Transport (MPT), explained the role of Malta Public Transport in the eBussed project. She continued by mentioning the lessons learnt from the study visits. Focusing on the Action 2 of the local Action Plan, she explained how MPT would contribute to the implementation of this action. Bartolo highlighted the Good Practices of the other partners which influenced the development of this action and listed the benefits for future e-bus deployment in the Maltese islands.
