It is apparent that throughout the years, the number of cars on our Maltese roads has increased significantly. Due to this fact a number of problems have risen. The most prominent being the number of road accidents that have been happening more frequently than not. Based on statistics gathered from the NSO, research shows that from the year 2020 till 2022 there were a total of 38,000 road accidents that took place on our roads. Even though such a huge number of accidents is frightening to many, the use of cars still continues to increase.
A number of organisations within the University of Malta have come together in order to work out a solution to encourage students and the general public to opt out of using their own vehicles- in turn decreasing carbon emissions and road accidents. The overall aim of this being the implementation of a more efficient transport system, as unfortunately the current one has some major issues like the ones listed in the joint statement issued by this collaboration:
“A bus system with infrequent buses, inconvenient routes, unreliable schedules and departing times from campus that do not reflect student hours renders it inefficient for students. This issue is only amplified during peak hours when buses are unable to meet with the influx of passengers– the time at which students would be most likely to use public transport.
Ultimately, most students opt out of using public transport immediately after obtaining their driving licence in preference of a quicker more efficient system […]”
They believe that due to inefficient bus schedules, students find it difficult to rely on these buses, therefore they opt to use their own means of transport, even though parking is still a nightmare. That is why the organisations believe that opting for a more sustainable system, that caters for one’s day to day needs, will better impact the quality of life of all Maltese citizens who have already waisted enough time stuck in traffic or looking for a parking space. Thus, by encouraging the populus to use a sustainable means of transport, such as a bus, bicycle or on foot will in turn reduce the level of congestion on the Maltese roads during peak hours. Which would be a win for the students, general public, the environment and the economy. Even though this might seem impossible in the current Maltese road culture, an investment in public transport and in proper infrastructure that would cater for any other sustainable means of transport, will surely help to change the present dogma.
Please below find a short survey link, to understand students thoughts on the current transport situation:
https://forms.gle/1Gq6QjG5iEgXiKKW6?fbclid=IwAR3J3XXOwILCjw_KcpPIk8ar0mjbb9imyEUdfQ4hNfyHeQLlZPwUy4Q
List of Organisations Involved
GħSL – Malta Law Students’ Society
S-Cubed – Science Students’ Society
UESA – University Engineering Students’ Association
Malta Pharmaceutical Students’ Association- MPSA
SPS – Students’ Philosophical Society
MHSA – Malta Health Students’ Association
MMSA – Malta Medical Students’ Association
KNŻ – Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ
ESO – European Studies Organisation
ICTSA – ICT Students’ Association
University of Malta Rowing Club
SDM – Studenti Demokristjani Maltin
KSU – Kunsill Studenti Universitarji
References
Road Traffic Accidents. (n.d.). Nso.gov.mt.
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