WT Global agrees to settle dues in instalments as Transport Malta tightens enforcement
Malta’s largest cab fleet operator, WT Global, has committed to paying over €400,000 in overdue fines imposed by Transport Malta.
With approximately 300 Y-plate vehicles under its registration, the company has already made an initial lump sum payment covering a quarter of the total amount. The remaining balance will be settled in instalments, according to sources.
Transport Malta’s Crackdown on Y-Plate Operators
Y-plate cab operators face strict regulations, including a requirement that vehicles must be parked in licensed commercial garages when not in service. Failure to comply can result in fines, and vehicles can only be left in public parking spaces for a maximum of one hour.
Responding to inquiries, Transport Malta stated that it is actively enforcing regulations to ensure that outstanding fines are paid. While it did not provide specific details about WT Global, the agency confirmed that it had collected over €500,000 in unpaid dues from Y-plate operators in January alone.
“No Y-plate operator can renew their licence unless all outstanding fines are settled. This enforcement mechanism ensures compliance, and those who fail to meet their obligations will face operational restrictions,” a Transport Malta spokesperson explained.
Hundreds of Y-Plate Cabs Taken Off the Road
At the start of 2025, Transport Malta removed 890 Y-plate taxis from circulation after inspections revealed they were not being stored in commercial garages, as required by law.
Later in January, an additional 500 Y-plate cabs-including vehicles belonging to WT Global and TXGO Limited-were taken off the road when authorities found that the addresses listed as public service garages were instead fields, stores, and shops.
However, following legal action, both WT Global and TXGO Limited were granted provisional permission to resume operations.
Regulations Reinforced After COVID-Era Changes
The requirement for Y-plate operators to maintain licensed commercial garages was reintroduced in 2023, three years after Transport Malta had temporarily lifted the rule during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The reinstated regulation aims to address Malta’s growing cab fleet and reduce congestion in public parking areas. Existing operators were granted a 12-month transition period to obtain Planning Authority permits for public service garages, certified by a licensed architect and civil engineer.
Questions regarding the issue were sent to WT Global last week, but no response has been received yet.
