It remains to be seen whether the introduction of the new public transport system would translate into fewer cars on our roads. In many ways cars have nowadays become a way of life, definitely more than just a means of transport.

Cars are an expression of freedom enabling individuals to move freely according to their own needs and whims. Drivers have that feeling of having the world at their hands when steering a car. A car is the excellent space for cultivating individuality. The driver celebrates the daily ritual of sitting for half an hour of ‘relaxing’ contemplation on the way to, and from, work.

From another angle, cars generate work and revenue, employing mechanics, insurance agents, and filling the finance ministry’s coffers. Illnesses, crime and death create work and revenues too if you prefer to look at life from this deceptive angle.

Without quibbles, Malta should introduce a free public transport system cross subsidised by private transport. This would replace the current subsidy for a half-baked public transport system.

Free public transport would (i) reduce the need for wasteful private cars cluttering our roads, (ii) open a market for a public van transport system for lesser demanded venues, and (iii) curtail the national energy bill. A cleaner and more organised transport era will emerge for the public's benefit. The economies of scale in a new national transport system would benefit each one of us in our transport needs.

An alternative to the above would be the status quo, a disjointed public transport system, token improvements through an additional few buses here and there, more wasteful subsidies and an ever burgeoning fleet of private cars for an island with limited boundaries resulting in more traffic jams, noise, and the acidic smell of burnt petrol.

Agnes Debono

Kercem