Traffic on Maltese roads is still a major problem.

A route that should take 10 minutes, could end up taking 30, or even 45 minutes. Realistically speaking, the government’s strategy to tackle traffic isn’t working.

There are a number of issues in this regard, but perhaps one of the biggest is the lack of will by the Maltese people to use public transport.

There are many reasons for this, some of which are solvable, others which aren’t as easily solvable. For example, punctuality, efficiency reasons could be sorted out by increasing the number of buses. But the convenience of having a car where one can keep their items in isn’t as easy to replace.

Cities around the world have managed to create efficient and popular public transport systems, but here in Malta… well it’s obvious, we haven’t.

The problem is that people enjoy the comfort of their own car, don’t want to be seated next to strangers who might talk to much, or perhaps aren’t as hygienic, and people also perceive public transport to be slow and inefficient. People also don’t want to have to walk 5-10 minutes to their home from a bus stop – which by the way is a laziness issue also.

But we need to change our mentality. People complain about being stuck in traffic, just think of the stress felt everyday barely moving, cars all round. It isn’t pleasant, not at all. So then an efficient public transport system which would reduce cars on the road suddenly seems all the more appealing. If we continue using cars for absolutely everything, the situation will only get worse. This isn’t just a question about wanting others to change their habits, we all need to.

ADPD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo has put forward an idea which can be considered highly controversial, but does provide food for thought. Aside from subsidising energy prices, the government is also subsidising petrol and diesel. Elsewhere in Europe, prices are far higher. Cacopardo believes that the government should stop subsidising petrol and diesel, and that the rising price would result in less traffic as people would be less likely to use their cars unless they need to.

It is an idea that merits further debate, but one must also consider the effects on people who would not be able to afford paying higher fuel, although Cacopardo argues that it would benefit them given the costs of owning a car nowadays. Another consideration would need to be how this would affect the transport of good on the island and costs related to that. This would be a shock to the system, but one thing is for sure, either way  improvement in the public transport service would be needed – and Cacopardo argues that it needs improving. But at least it’s an idea that goes beyond expanding roads. Perhaps its time we start brainstorming to figure out real solutions to the traffic problem. Expanding roads won’t do it.

If we would want to see a surge in bus users, the system needs improvement.

Another way to solve the public transport system is to make private vehicles less attractive gradually, and that is something the government would have to do.  In some cities abroad for instance, one has to pay to park on the street in certain areas, but they have very efficient and popular public transport in place, Malta does not. Some cities that have incorporated this also have trams, aside from buses for example.

Whether the government introduces a new form of public transport, or decides to go for some negative measures such as parking meters on streets in certain zones, something needs to be done. Introducing pedestrian zones could also be one way of helping the situation. It is not sustainable to continue increasing the population and just expanding roads. We are just making the situation worse. The government and opposition need to come together and find a solution.