Transport MaltaMalta’s biggest cab operator, WT Global, has agreed to pay over €400,000 in unpaid fines to Transport Malta, following a crackdown on Y-plate cab fleets for breaching parking and licensing regulations.
The company, which operates a fleet of around 300 Y-plate vehicles, has already paid a quarter of the total amount and will settle the remainder in instalments, according to sources.
The fines stem from violations of rules requiring Y-plate cabs to be stored in commercial garages rather than parked on public streets for extended periods. Transport Malta has been enforcing stricter measures to address long-standing issues in the cab sector, including unpaid fines and non-compliance with garaging regulations.
In January, Transport Malta removed 890 Y-plate cabs from the roads after discovering they were not parked in licensed commercial garages. A subsequent inspection revealed that some operators, including WT Global and TXGO Limited, had listed fields, stores, and shops as garaging facilities. Both companies had their operating licences revoked but were later granted provisional reinstatement by the courts pending appeals.
A Transport Malta spokesperson confirmed that over €540,000 in overdue fines had been collected from Y-plate operators in January alone. The agency has implemented a strict enforcement strategy, ensuring that no Y-plate operator can renew their licence unless all outstanding fines are settled. “This mechanism ensures dues are paid, and those who fail to comply will face restrictions on their ability to operate,” the spokesperson said.
The garaging rules, reintroduced in 2023 after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, aim to alleviate the strain on Malta’s limited street parking spaces. Operators were given a 12-month grace period to secure Planning Authority permits for commercial garages, but many, including WT Global, failed to comply.
WT Global has faced scrutiny in recent months, with MaltaToday revealing that the company’s revenue surged by nearly 500% in a single year, raising questions about its rapid expansion and compliance with tax and licensing laws. The company’s director, Walid Ouhida, was summoned by tax authorities in February 2024 as part of an investigation into unpaid VAT. Sources indicate that WT Global and TXGO collectively owe over €3 million in unpaid taxes, with authorities using data from ride-hailing platforms to assess earnings and enforce compliance.
Neither WT Global nor TXGO responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the EU is set to overhaul VAT rules for the platform economy, including ride-hailing services, to address widespread tax evasion. A 2022 European Commission proposal, unanimously approved by member states, will introduce stricter VAT collection measures, making platforms responsible for unpaid taxes by 2030.
