The lack of parking spaces at the University of Malta is an issue which has been brought up ad nauseam. However, at the start of each scholastic year, students still make it a point to try and display their frustration.

Various media have reported students stating they've 'had to' miss lectures because they couldn't find parking spots at university. But perhaps it's high time that students acknowledge the fact that there is not enough parking space for every student, and consider alternative methods of getting to campus.  The University Students' Council (KSU) is now embarking on a campaign to raise awareness on green travel, and highlight ways in which students can be proactive in addressing the issue.

The council will be launching an electronic system which allows students to co-ordinate car pooling. Students will be able to fill in data regarding their lecture times, and the location from which and to where they want to travel. This will allow other students interested in car pooling to organise the trip in a more efficient manner.

On Monday, KSU will be kicking off the 'Cycle to Uni' campaign, with the aim of encouraging more students to travel to campus. This not only addresses the parking issue, but also allows students to catch up on physical exercise. Between 13 and 24 October, two representatives of the council, alongside a group of university students will be cycling to University, going through different checkpoints around Malta, taking notes on the time the trip takes, and also on the safest route available. The trips will be filmed using a remotely controlled camera, and videos will be used to encourage other students to follow suit. In addition, KSU will be setting up facilities for those cycling to university, including showers, bicycle racks and necessary tools to maintain bicycles.

No updates on prospect of building multi-storey parking

In its electoral manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to build a multi-storey car park at the University.  The car park was one of the issue discussed in a meeting the council had with the Prime Minister in July, however since then, the council had received no feedback. KSU had also made the suggestion of having a park and ride facility at Luxol, however again, there's been no update on the issue.

KSU is currently carrying out a study on how feasible the prospect of a multi-storey car park is. In comments to this newspaper, President Gayle Lynn Callus noted that building a multi-storey car park is not as straightforward as some students believe, and several points need to be taken into consideration.

"First, one would need to establish which part of the university plot will be used to build the car park, and be aware that if that land is used, it could impede future development on campus. Second, parking spaces would have to be given up during construction works. And of course, there is the overriding financial aspect."

Each year, students are required to register their cars to gain a permit to park within the university campus. However, according to the council, the number of those registering has remained constant, and is not increasing in an alarming manner.