Malta's traffic congestion problem has been a persistent issue for years, with many drivers facing long delays in their attempts to reach their destination. Traffic jams are the order of the day, particularly at morning and afternoon peak hours, and are further compounded when it rains or a minor accident occurs on a major arterial road.

In a bid to address this, the government last week announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating traffic congestion. These initiatives, which include financial incentives for those willing to give up their cars, new bus routes, and a push for greater use of motorcycles and scooters, have generated considerable attention, mixed with widespread scepticism. The general idea is that the initiatives will do little to alleviate the traffic woes.

There are several reasons to believe that these measures are unlikely to bring about the desired results. Many aspects of the plan fall short in addressing the root causes of the traffic problem. Many drivers will continue to choose their cars over public transport, in spite of being stuck in traffic and the parking problems that follow. It is also highly probable that the system will be abused.

Government proposals

The government's plan, which is set to be rolled out over the next 18 months, has several initiatives designed to reduce congestion. These measures include offering €25,000 to drivers who agree to give up their cars for five years, as well as incentives for 17-year-olds to use scooters instead of obtaining a driving licence.

Additionally, the government is planning to introduce new bus routes to major industrial zones and create park-and-ride facilities in strategic locations. Other measures include shifting certain roadworks and deliveries to off-peak hours and providing grants for the purchase of motorcycles.

While these measures may seem promising at first glance, a deeper examination reveals several flaws that suggest they are unlikely to resolve the underlying traffic problems effectively.

Cost of initiative

Let's start with the cost of the initiative - €25,000 for every licence which is given up. That would mean a whopping €25 million over five years for the government if 1,000 drivers take it up. Will it make a difference if 1,000 cars are removed from the road, only to be replaced by another 1,000 cars?

Just remember that in the last three months of 2024, an average of 27 cars was added onto our roads each and every day. So, if the average is maintained, it would take just 37 days for 1,000 new cars to replace the 1,000 removed from our roads. So the government would have committed to spend €25 million to be back to square one in just 37 days. Would it be worth it?

On the other hand, what if 10,000 drivers take up the initiative - for a cost that would then climb to €250 million? Is the country in a position to afford this?

Under Prime Minister Robert Abela, the country's debt has doubled from €5 billion to €10 billion in five years, and without batting an eyelid the government keeps on accumulating debt, and interest on this debt. Adding €250 million in expenditure to remove 10,000 cars - only for an additional 10,000 to replace them in 370 days (just over a year, at 27 new cars per day) would make the exercise futile, and expensive.

It is more than likely that the initiative will attract drivers who are close to giving up driving because of the age factor. The government would be handing them a lovely present for renouncing to their licence, which they would have done anyway (for free). And what about holders of a driving licence who do not own a car? Will they get €25,000 too if they give up a licence they do not use?

Scepticism about public transport

One of the most significant barriers to the success of the government's plan is the widespread scepticism surrounding Malta's public transport system. While the introduction of new bus routes may appear to be a step in the right direction, the reality is that Malta's public transport infrastructure has often been criticised for its inefficiency, unreliability and poor service. Many commuters still find the bus system slow, overcrowded and inadequate for their needs. The government went as far as making use of buses free of charge. But this has not led people to ditch their cars in favour of public transport. Most of the commuters are foreigners living in Malta, or tourists. Few locals, who own a car, make use of buses.

For drivers who are accustomed to the convenience and flexibility of using their cars, the prospect of switching to public transport is not an attractive one, in spite of the traffic woes and parking problems they encounter. Public transport in Malta, despite some improvements over the years, still suffers from significant limitations. Buses can be delayed, routes may not be direct, and connections between services can be poor. As a result, many drivers are unlikely to give up their cars for the uncertainty of public transport, regardless of the financial incentives offered.

Moreover, there is a cultural factor at play. For many Maltese residents, owning a car is not just a necessity but a matter of convenience and status. The idea of relinquishing a car, even for a significant sum of €25,000, is not appealing if the alternative, public transport, is seen as a less reliable, less convenient or less comfortable option.

Lack of confidence in motorcycle and scooter safety

The government's proposal to encourage the use of motorcycles and scooters as an alternative to cars is another aspect of the plan that raises concerns. While it is true that motorcycles and scooters are smaller and more agile, making them better suited to navigating traffic, the safety of riders remains a significant issue. The Nationalist Party has pointed out that if the government wants to increase the use of these two-wheeled vehicles, it needs to implement stronger measures to improve safety.

Motorcycle and scooter accidents are not uncommon in Malta, and the road infrastructure is not always designed with these vehicles in mind. Without proper safety measures, such as dedicated infrastructure, education campaign and stricter enforcement of road safety laws, encouraging more people to use motorcycles and scooters could lead to a rise in accidents, potentially offsetting any benefits.

The incentives for 17-year-olds to use scooters instead of obtaining a driving licence could exacerbate safety concerns. While it is important to offer alternatives to young drivers, the lack of proper infrastructure and safety measures makes it questionable whether such incentives will have a positive impact. If the government fails to address these concerns, it is likely that the number of accidents involving young riders could increase.

Planning shortcomings

Millions have been spent on the upgrading of the road network, with flyovers and underpasses constructed in a bid to improve the traffic flow. Other projects are in the pipeline. But the traffic flow was just "delayed" until the next roundabout or the next bottleneck, such as places where two-lane stretches suddenly narrow to one, defeating the idea of faster traffic movements.

Mass transportation systems (other than buses) remained on the shelf. Before the last election, the Labour government pompously presented a metro project, an underground system that was to link major towns in Malta. But the idea was just an electoral ploy which was quickly discarded after the election.

The potential for system abuse

Another significant issue with the government's plan is the potential for abuse of the system. The €25,000 incentive for drivers who agree to give up their cars for five years is intended to be an attractive offer, but there is a strong possibility that it will be exploited. Many drivers might opt to take the money, only to find ways to circumvent the restrictions on car ownership. Given Malta's relatively small size and the close-knit nature of communities, it is not difficult to imagine situations where individuals could find ways to bypass the rules and continue driving without facing penalties.

The other side of the coin is that the financial incentives may not be enough to convince people to give up their cars permanently. The cost of car ownership, including insurance, fuel and maintenance, is often outweighed by the convenience and comfort of driving. For many, the inconvenience of giving up their car, even for a substantial sum, may simply not be worth the trade-off.

Other (discarded) ideas

The government could have come up with other ways to reduce the number of cars on the road. But it discarded them - because they would have cost the Labour Party votes.

One of these ideas was the introduction of alternative licence plate use, with owners of cars with the last number being "even" on the road on one day, and owners of cars with the last number being "odd" on the road the next day.

It could have also opted to increase the road licence too, or introduce parking meters in popular areas (except for residents), or establish congestion charges (similar to the requirement to pay an entry fee when entering Valletta).

It did not want to go down that road because all of them would have been unpopular moves.

A short-term attempt without long-term impact

As it happened, the government's plan to tackle Malta's traffic congestion may only provide a short-term solution without addressing the long-term structural issues that contribute to the problem. This is particularly so because the number of cars on the road continues to increase, reaching nearly 450,000 by the end of last year.

Measures like shifting road works and deliveries to off-peak hours or providing grants for motorcycles may ease congestion temporarily, but they do not address the underlying causes of traffic, such as distrust in public transport, insufficient infrastructure for alternative modes of transport, and the high number of cars on the road. More than this, lack of coordination has often compounded the problems on Maltese roads - with roads being tarmacked only for them to be dug up again weeks later. There have also been many instances when drivers trying to avoid road works end up blocked by other similar projects on the alternative routes suggested.

The real solution to Malta's traffic problem lies in comprehensive, long-term planning that focuses on attracting more commuters to public transport, making road infrastructure safer and eliminating bottlenecks, and finding ways how to make driving one's car less convenient. Until these issues are addressed, the government's efforts will remain inadequate, and Malta's traffic congestion problem will persist. Without substantial investment in a better transport system, the current measures are unlikely to provide the lasting relief that Malta's residents need.