The Malta Independent
The country needs real eco-contributions; not mere fiscal measures, but real measures to reverse the persistent deterioration in our environmental standards.
This week`s car free day is a mere symbolic but ineffective demonstration of how better our quality of live could be if we are stimulated sufficiently to change habits from private to public transport means for moving around.
If there is a single measure which could bring about a step change improvement in our quality of life and environmental standards then it is having an efficient public transport system.
High motorization rates, excessive traffic density, poor, indeed atrocious, state of our road network cannot but result in a serious upward trend in` traffic accident statistics causing grief and pain to those unfortunate enough to be involved in such accidents.
Meanwhile public transport service continues to deteriorate in spite of regular increases in bus fares. The higher these go the more unsatisfied all parties become. Those who have no option but to use public transport rightly complain of a higher price for a reduced quality of service. The public transport operators continue to be hit by the reduced number of people using public transport as commuters desert the unsatisfactory service to arrange their own private transport means.` And those who are forced to use private transport means add to the traffic congestion problem which leads to an increase in the impact rate of traffic accidents.
The consequences of such an inefficient transport system propagate widely. The importation of cars much more than we really need, the use of petrol and diesel far beyond what would be` necessary if an efficient public transport service were to be available, drain away scarce resources.` The loss of life in fatal accidents and lost man-days of work due to serious traffic injuries translate into unquantifiable waste of needed resources.
Unless a radical new approach to public transport is taken the situation will gradually spin out of control.
The end solution is simple and clear. We need to have an efficient and reliable public transport system which motivates commuters to use it in preference to private transport means. This would reduce congestion on our roads, make a much more efficient use of energy ( and help protect the environment), and restore economic feasibility to our public transport without over-taxing those who must use it and without relying on government subsidies.
Whilst the solution is simple, how to get at it is much trickier and complicated. It would demand some unpleasant discipline which might initially find resistance until its benefits start emerging in the medium term.
The first reform necessary is that we need to clear our city and village centres from all traffic except public transport means.` Coupled with parking enforcement this would provide the necessary motivation to prefer public transport.
A further reform would be in favour of public transport routes on fixed rails free from traffic blockages. This would ensure timely arrivals of public transport services making it reliable enough to re-build confidence and custom by the general public.
This would need to be further supplemented by service up-grading in terms of cleanliness, customer service, frequency and reach of network services.
No partial or half-hearted approach would bring home the desired results. Public Transport requires a total solution which would demand an investment which can only be recouped if the volume of users is increased in multiples within a relatively short period of time.
If Government cannot find the necessary energy and resources to bring about the necessary changes, it should invite private bidders to propose a solution on the built operate and transfer model which would safeguard the interest of current bus-owners who are otherwise destined to a slow death by attrition. Government could subsidise fares for an initial period until confidence in the system is re-built by levying a corresponding tax from those using private transport means and/or from enforcement of parking regulations.
I see this as much like the revival of the cinema industry that until fifteen years back was almost annihilated until the Decesare`s provided a totally new approach to Cinema entertainment.
And let me just finish with some thoughts about the eco-debate as to whether or not our tourism development needs more golf-courses.` May be it does and may be it doesn`t.` But what it really needs, rather than copying others in areas were we are poorly set to compete effectively, is substantial and material up-grading in what we already have and which distinguishes from and give us an edge over most of our tourism competitors.` It is the protection and promotion of our unique cultural heritage.
Let`s protect what we already have before wasting energy debating about building more white (green!) elephants.
The country needs real eco-contributions; not mere fiscal measures, but real measures to reverse the persistent deterioration in our environmental standards.
This week`s car free day is a mere symbolic but ineffective demonstration of how better our quality of live could be if we are stimulated sufficiently to change habits from private to public transport means for moving around.
If there is a single measure which could bring about a step change improvement in our quality of life and environmental standards then it is having an efficient public transport system.
High motorization rates, excessive traffic density, poor, indeed atrocious, state of our road network cannot but result in a serious upward trend in` traffic accident statistics causing grief and pain to those unfortunate enough to be involved in such accidents.
Meanwhile public transport service continues to deteriorate in spite of regular increases in bus fares. The higher these go the more unsatisfied all parties become. Those who have no option but to use public transport rightly complain of a higher price for a reduced quality of service. The public transport operators continue to be hit by the reduced number of people using public transport as commuters desert the unsatisfactory service to arrange their own private transport means.` And those who are forced to use private transport means add to the traffic congestion problem which leads to an increase in the impact rate of traffic accidents.
The consequences of such an inefficient transport system propagate widely. The importation of cars much more than we really need, the use of petrol and diesel far beyond what would be` necessary if an efficient public transport service were to be available, drain away scarce resources.` The loss of life in fatal accidents and lost man-days of work due to serious traffic injuries translate into unquantifiable waste of needed resources.
Unless a radical new approach to public transport is taken the situation will gradually spin out of control.
The end solution is simple and clear. We need to have an efficient and reliable public transport system which motivates commuters to use it in preference to private transport means. This would reduce congestion on our roads, make a much more efficient use of energy ( and help protect the environment), and restore economic feasibility to our public transport without over-taxing those who must use it and without relying on government subsidies.
Whilst the solution is simple, how to get at it is much trickier and complicated. It would demand some unpleasant discipline which might initially find resistance until its benefits start emerging in the medium term.
The first reform necessary is that we need to clear our city and village centres from all traffic except public transport means.` Coupled with parking enforcement this would provide the necessary motivation to prefer public transport.
A further reform would be in favour of public transport routes on fixed rails free from traffic blockages. This would ensure timely arrivals of public transport services making it reliable enough to re-build confidence and custom by the general public.
This would need to be further supplemented by service up-grading in terms of cleanliness, customer service, frequency and reach of network services.
No partial or half-hearted approach would bring home the desired results. Public Transport requires a total solution which would demand an investment which can only be recouped if the volume of users is increased in multiples within a relatively short period of time.
If Government cannot find the necessary energy and resources to bring about the necessary changes, it should invite private bidders to propose a solution on the built operate and transfer model which would safeguard the interest of current bus-owners who are otherwise destined to a slow death by attrition. Government could subsidise fares for an initial period until confidence in the system is re-built by levying a corresponding tax from those using private transport means and/or from enforcement of parking regulations.
I see this as much like the revival of the cinema industry that until fifteen years back was almost annihilated until the Decesare`s provided a totally new approach to Cinema entertainment.
And let me just finish with some thoughts about the eco-debate as to whether or not our tourism development needs more golf-courses.` May be it does and may be it doesn`t.` But what it really needs, rather than copying others in areas were we are poorly set to compete effectively, is substantial and material up-grading in what we already have and which distinguishes from and give us an edge over most of our tourism competitors.` It is the protection and promotion of our unique cultural heritage.
Let`s protect what we already have before wasting energy debating about building more white (green!) elephants.
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