It’s that time of year again when we feel that compelling urge to forgive and forget, or at least to pretend to do so, to be ultra generous and to wish for everlasting world peace, as if peace is something we only think of at Christmas time.

It is also that time of year to look back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It is a time to reflect on the changes we want to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

Looking back through the motoring lens, Arriva yet again dominated the headlines in 2013.

A lot has been said but nothing much has been done really, except for the ban on those bendy buses which seemed to have this unique characteristic to self-ignite.

Indications are that Arriva will continue to dominate the headlines in 2014, whether they pull out or not.

But what other headlines do we wish to see in our media in 2014.

I’ve listed a few, although I don’t necessarily agree with them all:

• Arriva pull out;

• Plans to construct bridge spanning across Malta and Gozo shelved;

• Kappara Junction project to be complete by the end of the year;

• Removal of roundabouts has brought significant improvement in traffic flow;

• Speed limits revised, speed cameras removed;

• Commitment to have 5,000 electric vehicles by 2015 to be exceeded;

• Heavy vehicles off roads at peak hours;

• Parking schemes shelved for good;

• EU funding for monorail underground public transport system;

• Horses banned from all roads;

• No flooding reported in Valley Road after heavy storm;

• All main roads to be resurfaced by end of year;

• Bicycle lanes to be upgraded;

• Action taken on 1,000 emission alerts a month;

• Taxis installed with meters;

• Joe Mizzi stops using the bus;

• Website launched for people to report street damages;

• Road works on December 13 Avenue complete;

• Coast Road widened;

• Pedestrian bridge across Mrieħel Bypass inaugurated;

• New unit launched to handle emergency street repairs.

Whether these headlines will ever feature in the press is really down to Transport Minister Joe Mizzi.

Many of these projects have been promised but how many will actually get off the ground?

In the meantime, I wish all motoring readers a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year; and drive safely.

motoring@timesofmalta.com

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