The issue of public transport and traffic has been very much in the public eye again lately, mainly due to the strike action taken by a number of operators of this important support service. Particularly, when one speaks about public transport in Malta and Gozo, it is not without some form of sarcasm or some jibe about the nerve-shattering rides on the carbon-belching, jaw-breaking rust buckets that adorn our roads!

But the problems with public transport in Malta and Gozo are far from just the brunt of some side-splitting joke! They are the real reason why these islands face a serious situation when it comes to managing the sustainability of the whole traffic situation. I have heard about countless projects to introduce a new management strategy and launch "traffic-calming" measures in urban and rural areas. But, perhaps, our biggest enemy is not the system itself but our own attitude towards transportation and getting from A to Z in complete comfort!

We have this idea that we need to travel from "door to door" and park as close to our destination as possible. We want our independence, yet we also want our freedom to choose when and where to park and travel. These are all very plausible and understandable concerns and we do have a right to ensure that the transport and traffic system works in our favour, as tax payers and citizens. But we must also remember that living on an island with limited resources and space has its drawbacks and we need to consider just how our quality of life today and that of our children tomorrow could be affected if we continue to insist on the full freedom to choose when, how and what we drive to get from A to Z.

Travelling in Malta is not the arduous experience that many have on mainland Europe or on any other large continent.

We can get from A to Z in under one hour. In some instances, we spend more time driving around looking for a parking space than commuting.

It takes us more time getting our vehicle out of the garage than it does for us to arrive at our destination. We have really become too dependent on our private method of transportation. We have even become obsessed with larger and more fuel-consuming vehicles as a status symbol rather than out of necessity.

Parking and travelling have become a stressful experience and, yet, the public transport system remains underutilised and the brunt of many jokes! Why is this? Could it be that our standard of living has turned us into persons too scared to go outside our protective shells? Could it be that we feel we would lose our identity if we used the public transport system instead of our trusty little cars and vehicles?

Whatever the reason for this excessive increase in motor vehicles on this small island state, we really do need to think very carefully about the effect this attitude is having on our culture,our lifestyles and the characteristics of our own towns and villages. We are killing our very own way of life that has sustained this nation for centuries!

Moving on will require a change in this attitude. It will require a better system of transportation - the electric tramway being proposed for the islands is possibly the first big step towards cultivating a new culture in public transport for these islands. Using the latest technology and energy-efficient methods of powering the system will certainly give a boost to our collective perception of travel and commuting.

Another important aspect will be discipline, the discipline to adhere to schedules; the discipline to operate effective and efficient services without the insensitive and, sometimes, violent, levels of hospitality shown by a number of service providers today.

But discipline must be followed with a sense of consistency, ensuring that the level of service does not wain or falter. Adopting different systems of public transport for different areas will ensure that our inner urban areas and rural areas will not be affected by congestion, traffic and inappropriate forms of transport that are not suited for the localities.

But discipline needs to be instilled in those who choose to use their own vehicles, by offering incentives to purchase energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles, by ensuring parking does not impinge on the local environment and, conversely, those who would prefer larger vehicles need to understand the effects of the "polluter pays" principle through legislation. Commercial vehicles and those used in construction projects must be made to adhere to strict regulations that will avoid over-exerting the road infrastructure and guard against traffic congestion - perhaps through the introduction of standard times and operating procedures.

Whatever, the case, and however we solve this problem, we should act now, collectively and in a serious manner, using civic awareness rather than egocentric attitudes. If we do nothing now, then our future may not be as rosy as we would like it and this will surely reduce our attractiveness as a sustainable and unique tourism destination and also make Malta a less attractive place for us to live in.

Mr Zarb is vice president of the European Union of Tourism Officers (EUTO).