I POLL

The iPoll is a synergy between MaltaToday, the Internet and you the readers.

The results of this Internet poll will then be published in MaltaToday the following Sunday, along with two opinion articles arguing both sides of the case.

People who send in the attached coupon with their voting preference will automatically participate in a competition. One lucky participant will be put into a draw for a chance to win a flight to Prague.

Today’s issue hits directly at one of Malta’s major problems: car use and traffic. Many suggestions have been made on how to curb the ever increasing ‘car culture’ we have become accustomed to.

The ever present solution is a hollow, ‘reform the public bus system’. However, there are other alternatives that can be explored including the construction of an underground rail system. The costs of such a project are big and undoubtedly it is an ambitious project to embark upon but today we bring you the opinion of a man who believes it can be done.

Taking a different track

By Angelo Xuereb

London, Paris, Rome, or any other major capital city would face traffic chaos in the absence of an efficient public transportation system. Malta is no exception and has a major traffic problem due to the lack of such an efficient system.

Our country has now reached a stage when Government must consider what is the best way to introduce a completely new public transportation system combining underground railway (noiseless), elevated railway to certain key areas, a new public bus service and a new concept for taxis.

I had presented the first concept of an underground link between Gzira – Valletta – Cottonera back in 1989. Later on in 1996, I published an improved proposal incorporating the public bus service. For the third time now, in view that major projects are coming on stream, it is worth considering extending the concept of the railway system further.

Are we considering the amount of Maltese liri being exported from our country in importing over 12,000 vehicles every year? What about the amount of parts, oil and fuel required annually maintaining these vehicles? And the millions of liri required for the construction of new traffic junctions, which are becoming a must, together with the cost of maintaining our roads? And the pollution caused by car exhaust and the damage to our health and wellbeing? Are we considering the ‘cost’ of the priceless lives of some 15 to 20 persons every year apart from the many who become permanently disabled? We do not need sophisticated monitors to verify this. Just take a walk or a ride on a bicycle and you get the answer straightaway.

The total capital cost for the underground system is estimated to be around Lm100 million, but in my opinion this should be considered as another major infrastructure project and a return on all the investment costs cannot be expected within a couple of years.

A light monorail underground system is technically and economically feasible when considering all factors. Unfortunately, our nation resists change. An understanding that change generates progress and progress generates wealth is needed. Such a project could be handled as a joint venture known as a Public Private Partnership. I feel confident that some form of assistance, either through soft loans or grants could be possible from the EU, especially when considering the environmental impact.

An underground rail system is feasible. This would be complemented by an improved public bus service, which could then concentrate in transporting its commuters from their towns or villages directly to the nearest station, without the need to pass through other towns, thereby reducing traffic even further. A fast railway system would also contribute to leveling off the different lifestyles found in the North and South of Malta, besides boosting the economy and tourism potential in the South.

I am pretty sure that if we had constructed the railway system 10 years ago, by now we would have recouped a major part of the capital cost for the project. A bold decision is needed if the idea is to be developed further and implemented. It is useless just talking about a problem. We have to talk about solutions and take action!

Mr Xuereb is Chairman of AX Holdings