Airell Costantino, Tarxien
Time to put brakes on traffic congestion
As a daily frustrated commuter I would like to learn who or what is responsible for the absurd traffic jams being created every morning throughout the entire island. Today it took me one hour and 40 minutes to get to Msida from Tarxien, out of which 45 minutes were spent in an idle vehicle in Fgura’s “benniena”.
Is one to blame the lack of use of public transport even though from what I see buses are always passing by at full capacity leaving desperate travellers stranded on bus stops? Or should one concentrate more on the other sources of the problem which I think could be summarised as the “competent” authorities? In fact, if one looks in depth at the problem a pattern to this tragic situation seems to emerge.
Respective local councils seem to enjoy changing road access on a random basis putting commuters in a situation where what was yesterday an accessible road now has a fresh one-way sign erected in it, obviously causing blockages due to lack of alternative routes.
Transport Malta on the other hand gives the impression of finding every justification possible to blame others, mainly local councils, even though I am quite sure most of the blame should be sought in-house as decisions like the closing of many arteries and their timing surely does not lie on councils.
The police force and/or wardens? Well, it seems that they are getting smaller in number by the day, not to mention being placed in absurd locations at which they spend most of the time pulling cars to the side to give contraventions for having a broken indicator, thus slowing down the traffic even more. In some cases one can notice one or two of them completely ignoring the traffic congestion and focusing their much required attention on other far less important issues than traffic flow. In my modest opinion, two motor bikes parked within two metres of each other at a roundabout with respective officers standing near their bikes instead of controlling traffic flow seems absurd to me, especially when drivers waiting their turn in roads leading to such roundabout are suffering from other drivers’ road rage-induced actions such as coming out of one way roads or driving for long stretches of road on the wrong side completely ignoring any applicable road sign. The Kordin and Mosque roundabouts and all roads leading to them are a clear example of this. With faith I sincerely feel that it is high time these authorities sit round a table and try to solve this problem once and for all as we have arrived at a situation where traffic congestion is reaching the chaotic levels one would expect in cities like Tokyo or Moscow, even though we are an insignificant fraction of their driving population! I truly feel something needs to be done and that whoever has the power to take the necessary steps to improve this situation doesn’t turn his back on the thousands of travelers and voters with the thought that there is “no problem”.
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Mr Tony Gatt
Oct 18th 2011, 16:29
I seem to remember that one city had the idea that car numbers ending in odd numbers could be driven on odd-number days and even numbers on even days. That should cut the traffic somewhat!
Louis Gialanze
Oct 17th 2011, 23:02
I'm afraid there's no way traffic congestion in the Paola/ Marsa area can be dealt with effectively other than by the construction of a flyover at the bottleneck in lieu of the traffic lights next to the Addolorata cemetry. This junction leads to high density populated areas in the south of the island as well as to industrial parks, the Freeport and in the near future Smart city. However, the congestion can be somewhat mitigated by opening up Coal Wharf back to traffic, if only for heavy vehicles. Since the defunct shipyard ceased operating the dock is now superfluous and can be bridged with the minimum of expense. The 2.3M euros dished out on the Valletta breakwater bridge could have been put to much better use!
Francesca Abela
Oct 18th 2011, 10:36
Very good idea, i remember when that road was used for traffic, it comes out near the immigrants centre at Marsa if i am not mistaken and one can go down from near the Kordin roundabout and therefore bypass nearly entirely the Marsa congestion.as from ther one can go towards the Floriana park and ride and to Valletta cutting the journey in terms of traffic andd timing for frustrated commuters in half. I like it and it really makes sense and is very easy to implement considering the fact that there is always a bottleneck of traffic starting from near the Mosque on one end and from near Tal Barrani roundabout near St Lucia on the other which are the current main access routes to Valletta.
Mrs M. Attard
Oct 19th 2011, 15:39
I think you mean the road which used to go down past Sare towards the Marsovin factory and then turn left towards Jetties wharf towards the Xatt tal Ghasara tal Gheneb towards the Waterfront and you can enter Valletta from near the Bell. This was the most used road to Valletta before the new road was opened.This would be brilliant and as you say Francesca it shouldnt be such a big deal. Maybe this suggestion can be put to the roads Dept? Considering the fact that the Luqa road is currently also closed to traffic causing hugetraffic jams at Tal -Barrani road roundabout and also at the junction near Ghajn Dwieli past the MCAST. All it would need are some concrete barriers to close off the open shipyard area and some asphalt to serve as a temporary or even permanent road to Valletta. This would have the advantage of splitting traffic and reducing the huge backlogs of traffic all using Aldo Moro and Dicembru tlettax roads.
Mr robert micallef
Oct 17th 2011, 19:35
i live in zebbug and when i have urgent deliveries (small) i always deliver by bicycle. zebbug-sliema 15 mins including the "parking".
C Cassar
Oct 17th 2011, 19:27
The simple and most effective solution is to make privater motoring far more costly. There is a perfectly good modern transport system in place despit the few on here who constantly moan about anything new.
Pay & Display parking fees should be introduced in every urban area between the hours of 08:00-19:00. It's incredible that street parking everywhere in Malta is free, probably the only place in Europe.
A Congestion charge should be brought into busy urban areas such as Sliema, Marsa etc, something like a minimum of €5 per day if entering between 07:00-19:00 excepting weekends. This can be fully automated as in other European cities.
Albert Bezzina
Oct 18th 2011, 15:41
"There is a perfectly good modern transport system in place". Well that is Mr Cassar's opinion.
BUT, if a 'perfectly good modern transport system was in place' ten years ago BEFORE every man and his dog owned a passenger car, than yes congestion today would have been averted.
The increase in congestion noticeable this autumn is not due to a surge in passenger car registrations or a surge in people acquiring new driving licences over and above the numbers present last spring. The cause could be Mr Cassar's 'perfectly good modern transport system' and/or possibly the rebuilding of Triq Kunsil ta' L-Ewropa.
Mr Cassar's past contributions supports more apartment building with no prospects of finding tenants. For some personal reason known only to Mr Cassar, he finds it very acceptable to suggest to the authorities to fire a barrage of taxes and fees on the already over taxed motorist who have been fed numerous pollution tales by the authorities while the main culprits have been and still are commercial diesel vehicles, construction industries and the power stations. What Mr Cassar fails to realize is that with greater taxes showered on car owners, it becomes more expensive the less their car is utilized. Maybe the developer friends of Mr Cassar or Mr Cassar himself would offer to buy back the passenger cars bought by commuters who had no option (and still do not have an option) once they do find that Mr Cassar’s ‘perfectly good modern transport system’ starts delivering.
ben calascione
Oct 17th 2011, 14:51
I hate to bring you the bad news, but to the question "who is responsible for the absurd traffic jams" I am afraid the answer is "you are". And me of course, so nothing personal, and your thousands of co-commuters. It is simply not possible to provide a road network which gives everyone who has a daily wish to drive their own road.
Lets see, Msida to Tarxien is 6km. You could walk it in one hour, run it in 30 minutes, or cycle it in 20 minutes. The bus is not very convenient for you, you would have to change at blatel l bajda which means for the first part you only have the 11,12,13, 21,23,22,32,41,42 and 43 to choose from - and then one of the 1,2,3, 91, 81,82 and 83 to take you to Paola and a 500 meter walk to tarxien.
Maybe not the answer you want to hear, but sure to be quicker than your unhappy experience by car, cheaper. Oh and more healthy.
Francesca Abela
Oct 18th 2011, 13:32
Stop being a smart alec Ben, the South has many traffic problems and bottlemecks all the way from Tal Barrani, Kordin, Marsa and even Msida if one is going to the Hospital. To compound the issue there are roads closed because of works like Sta Lucia Avenue leading to the Airport from where one could go down to Marsa past the industrial estate. And if your'e 75 years old you're goina walk or cycle? Come up with something practical not lunacy please!
James Wightman
Oct 19th 2011, 07:22
Frans, fit people cycle, that means less cars for those who 'really' can't do without them - we all need cars sometimes, shopping etc.. - most rush hour traffic is single occupancy. that means freer roads (more space) for traffic to move and flow, including buses which become more efficient (they are moving) so 75 year olds can get a bus (although some do still cycle bless em.)
So cyclings not lunacy, just one way of helping. So Ben's a smart alec? What are you? You have offered plenty of critiscm yet not one idea how the problem could be fixed.
James Wightman
Oct 17th 2011, 13:37
What you're experiencing is something called critical mass. it's got nothing to do with the size of the country, just the ammount of cars trying to use the same space. In simple terms its an overload. Anything that keeps more cars off the road is a good thing for those already there (unfortunately).
It only takes me 50mins to get to Safi from St Julians and thats going round Hal-Farrug (not supposed to use the tunnels you see - why I don't know) on a bicycle with only one gear and I'm 52!
Direct its only 40mins.
So you say you spend an extra hour (of my 40 minutes) of your life (that nobodies going to give you back) sitting in traffic staring at the back of another car, and people say cyclists are barmy. At least i enjoy my commute to work.
Airell, I'm really sorry i don't live close by, i'd tell you get a bike and I'll ride in with you to show you the ropes (how to stay safe in traffic) to help you out of that mess. If it helps there's a Facebook group who are promoting bicycle use. (Bicycle Advocacy Group Malta). It helps you. It helps other drivers (shorter queue's and more parking space). No brainer really.
Edward Mallia
Oct 17th 2011, 17:25
I have been a serious cyclist most of my adult life, but I have been driven off local roads, main roads especially by two considerations. The first is the general disregard of cyclists by car drivers, quite frequently reciprocated by cyclists: going the wrong way down one way streets, going on the wrong side of the road, without lights after dark, and in one instance recently a cyclist going through an Imriehel red light after dark. The second is that the undoubted advantages the exercise of cycling provides, must be more than destroyed by the heavier inhalation of fine particles due to the increased breathing rate.
James Wightman
Oct 17th 2011, 22:58
hi Edward, actually the pollution vs exercise argument has had some pretty good research lately and although pollution may shorten your life by a few days the exersize adds several months plus improved quality of life.
Some drivers are bad, many are good. Same goes for cyclists, some are good, some not so good. But one of the problems is that cyclists tend to ride with what (roads) they are left. If you plan a OWS or system so bike unfriendly your asking to have someone break the rules because they are 'just a bike'. Often car drivers use the same excuse to bully bikes because 'its just a bike'. There is no doubt that cars are king of the road because there are a lot of them. Ergo far more break exactly the same rules - people 'just' on bikes tend to copy them. Its vicarious learning. Best way to fix it is get back on your bike and lead by example, your obvious experience will be most missed.
Saviour Sam Agius
Oct 17th 2011, 10:59
1hr 40mins from Tarxien to Msida? It would've taken you not more than 30mins at a VERY leisurely speed by bicycle. Once you become more used to it, you can probably shorten it down to 15mins. Definitely much faster than the car.
M Bon
Oct 17th 2011, 10:50
Before embarking a journey you can check for traffic jams on Maltese roads so that you can use an alternative route (if available).
This can be done on the following Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/maltatraffic
It would also be greatly appreciated if everyone reports traffic jams encountered to this page.
This can be done by either:
accessing the fb page from your desktop/laptop/tablet browser on http://www.facebook.com/maltatraffic
accessing the fb page from your smartphone browser or Facebook app; or
sending an email to maltesetraffic@gmail.com (enter text in subject only)
sending an sms to 77841930
WARNING: Do not browse/email/sms while driving. Ask a passenger to do it or do it after you are safely parked in a legal spot.
riccardo borg
Oct 17th 2011, 10:44
THE WAY I SEE IS LIKE THIS:
NO PARTY IN GOVERNMENT HAS EVER TRIED TO COMPLETELY STOP OR LIMIT THE IMPORTATION OF USED OR NEW CARS INTO MALTA. AS LONG AS THIS GOES ON THE MORE CARS THERE WILL BE ON THE ROAD WHICH ROAD BECOMES SMALLER EVERY YEAR.
IN SPITE OF THE SIZE OF THE ISLAND, THE TIME TAKEN TO TRAVEL FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER MAKES THE ISLAND LOOK AS IF IT IS A HUGE PLACE AND THAT CARS MUST TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT PEOPLE MUST USE A CAR WHETHER THEY NEED TO OR NOT.
James Wightman
Oct 17th 2011, 14:01
True - basically in simple terms - you've run out of road - i.e you've hit critical mass. problem is having hit it the only way to fix it is to reduce car use something no political party is going to like for fear of losing votes yet in a Catch 22 situation unless they fix the critical mass situation they won't get votes either. So they have kind of painted themselves into a corner.
Mr Joe Camilleri
Oct 17th 2011, 10:40
The person on the right in the white van is using a mobile phone !!!!
Mr Peter Barbara
Oct 17th 2011, 11:41
No it's OK, he's reporting that there is a traffic jam.....!!
Mr Joe Camilleri
Oct 17th 2011, 09:31
simple........TRANSPORT MATA with their ARRIVA FIASCO
Ninette Zammit
Oct 17th 2011, 08:59
I live at Zabbar (near Xghajra) and work at Msida. I start work at 7.45 but I have to leave home at 6.30 in order to arrive on time. Sometimes I arrive at work even after 8. I drive through Zabbar Road, Paola, the Benniena and on to the Addolorata traffic lights. That takes me nearly an hour for a stretch of road only 4 km long. You sometimes see traffic policemen doing absolutely nothing to ease the flow or else texting on their mobiles. I think that the 2 roundabouts mentioned in the letter, namely the Kordin and Mosque roundabouts should be eliminated and traffic lights installed, as happened some years ago near the Addolorata cemetery. At least one is given a chance and not risk an accident when many drivers try to squeeze their car into one lane when reaching these roundabouts. On another note, as mentioned in this letter, sometimes local councils are too eager to install one-way signs. A case in point was at the crossroads near Maypole Bakery, Zabbar. In their eagerness, the local council put up 'no entry' signs in three of the four streets converging on the crossroad. So when one had to exit from the fourth street, one could literally not continue on his way. This was realised or pointed out to the Local Council immediately and the next day the 'no entry' signs in one of these streets were covered with a black refuse bag!! Unbelievable. The last point I would like to make is that sometimes, on my way back home, when trying to avoid the congested Zabbar road, I pass along the parellel street, only to be met by signs that at that time the road is closed because there are Cathecism classed taking place. I know of no other town or city apart from Fgura where motorists have to refrain from using the street where these classes are taking place
GORDON HAINS
Oct 17th 2011, 11:11
I totally agree with Ninette regarding puting traffic lights on a very busy roundabout. No far from where I live (DUNFERMLINE, SCOTLAND) we have a roundabout which has 6 exit points, with out any traffic lights on this roundabout, one would be stuck on it for ages, now you only have to wait, one or 2 minutes at the most before you can drive off.
Gordon Hains
James Wightman
Oct 17th 2011, 13:24
To be honest you could cycle that in half the time. At least on pleasent days. A young friend of mine, cycles from Senglea to MCAST, and also to her part time job at Gattard House on a regular basis. You can actually do the route using a lot of unused back roads and pavements if you were scared of the traffic and take short cuts through Msida gardens, car park by the black pearl etc... You'll also save money and get fit at the same time not to mention time - which nobody will give you back. .