Impose car quotas and make public transport free, law students propose

'The problem of congestion has finally reached a bottleneck and will snap is something is not done to combat it'

ELSA presented their traffic proposals to transport minister Joe Mizzi
ELSA presented their traffic proposals to transport minister Joe Mizzi

Malta should adopt a vehicle quota system to combat the island’s notorious traffic problem, a law students’ association has proposed.

In a policy paper that has been presented to transport minister Joe Mizzi and Transport Malta executive chairman James Piscopo, ELSA suggested that Malta adopt a system similar to that in place in Singapore whereby drivers have to periodically bid for a limited amount of permits.

“Such measures may prove to be unpopular, yet they are necessary in the hope of ever combatting the islands’ congestion problems,” ELSA said.

The students also proposed that public transport be completely free, such as exists in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, and that the government offer further incentives to promote the use of buses.

“We feel that the problem of congestion has finally reached a bottleneck and will snap is something is not done to combat it,” ELSA said. “Private transportation is considered a necessity yet it proves to be a stick in the cog machine. This, accompanied by the lack of efficiency offered by public transport, creates a vicious cycle which is strenuous to break. Public transport would not be considered to be a sacrifice in this this day and age, but rather a superior alternative to private transportation, both in terms of finance and efficiency.

"Traffic during peak times renders it virtually impossible to move from point A to B within a guaranteed period of time. When compared to other small European cities, Malta fares much worse, having 74% of all trips undertaken using private cars. The only way to reduce the influx of cars in our roads is to offer a more efficient transport system and to regulate vehicles in a stricter manner and thus deter private car ownership."

Other notable proposals include expanding the CVA system from Valletta to other towns, privatising the Valletta-Sliema-Cottonera ferry to boost competition, and enshrining solar rights in Maltese law.

Moreover, they urged Labour and PN to put their differences aside to develop a joint transport masterplan that would survive any future changes in administration.