Traffic congestion won’t vanish ‘soon’ – Gatt

Speaking during the presentation of the National Household Travel Survey figures, Gatt maintained that the problem necessitates “making choices that incentivise public transportation” and encourage the modal shift from private to public transportation.

See the Travel Survey figures here.

He fully agreed with concerns expressed by transport group Arriva that they would “like to see better traffic management” if they are to provide an adequate public transport service.

At this stage however, Gatt said that things are at a discussion stage, with no concrete having been proposed on how this problem can be addressed.

Referring to the survey, Gatt affirmed how policy must be based on figures and facts, maintaining that “many make statements based on nothing.”

“The survey has led us to conclusions on which we can base plans,” Gatt said, pointing out that many of the conclusions are already reflected in the upcoming public transportation reform.

Referring to the figures, Gatt maintained that the country has a huge problem with the drastically high use of private vehicles, pointing to how this has increased over the years.

Gatt pointed out how reforms in Valletta, such as the CVA and the park and ride scheme, have proven that it is possible to encourage people to use private vehicles less. “We don’t have to be different,” he said,” but change can never be immediate.”

Low Emission Zones on the cards

Referring to air quality, Gatt also explained that government intends to establish low emissions zones which “were proven successful” in other European countries such as Milan, London, Stockholm.

Maintaining that the initiative is still at an early discussion phase, Gatt added he is confident that a solution can be found.

Asked whether this means that the government will be introducing emission charges, Gatt was cautiously evasive. “I do not want to prejudice the discussion as it is much too early to say,” he maintained, however not ruling out the possibility. “How we introduce them (emission zones) still needs to be determined,” he said.

Alongside the bus reform, Gatt said, government will also be introducing a number of other measures that are intended to facilitate the bus flow, such as bus priority traffic lights.

Gatt also said that Malta presently has over 5,000 trucks that weigh over 3.5 tonnes and who’s “sell-by-date” has long expired. “These contribute to pollution,” he said, adding that one of Malta’s problems is that it has a old commercial fleet that needs changing.