Transport Malta has received legal backing to proceed with suspending the operating licence of WT Global, a move that could impact more than 300 Y-Plate vehicles operating within Malta’s ride-hailing sector.

The decision follows a ruling by the Administrative Review Tribunal, which found that Transport Malta had been justified in taking enforcement action after identifying incorrect information submitted by WT Global in relation to facilities declared as public service garages.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett confirmed that ride-hailing platforms have been informed that Transport Malta will proceed with suspending the operator’s licence.

The case dates back to January 2025, when Transport Malta first moved to suspend WT Global’s licence following inspections of premises listed by the company as service garages.

According to findings referenced during proceedings, one registered location in Binġemma consisted of land without vehicle access, another site in Żebbuġ was being used for storage purposes unrelated to transport operations, while a declared location in Gżira was identified as a residential building rather than a functioning public service garage.

Additional sites referenced by the company were also reported to still be in the process of obtaining the permits required to operate as public service garages.

WT Global challenged the regulator’s decision, securing interim permission to continue operating while proceedings were ongoing.

During the case, the company argued that it maintained 661 parking spaces for a fleet comprising 347 vehicles and stated that sites flagged by regulators had subsequently been removed from its registered portfolio. The company maintained that discrepancies were administrative in nature and were being addressed.

However, the tribunal, chaired by Magistrate Claudio Zammit, concluded that whether inaccurate information had been submitted intentionally or through error did not alter the legal position.

The ruling also rejected arguments that surplus parking capacity elsewhere within WT Global’s network mitigated concerns raised by regulators.

The tribunal determined that the submission of incorrect information was sufficient grounds for Transport Malta to take enforcement action.

The decision remains subject to appeal.