Transport Malta is “investigating the possibility” of reinstating the ferry station at Senglea (October 30).

Transport Malta should be investigating the possibility of far more than this. A quarter of Malta’s population is concentrated in the harbour area which surrounds Valletta.

This encompasses the Three Cities, Marsa and neighbouring towns on one side and the Pietà/Msida /Sliema/Gżira conurbation on the opposite side.

This makes our main harbour the ideal setting for a comprehensive harbour ferry network with a connecting sea-level tunnel across the Valletta isthmus connecting both sides.

Fears have been expressed about tunnelling beneath Valletta but the isthmus is about 900 metres wide along most of its length so that the creation of a tunnel is quite feasible further inland of Valletta.

It has been argued by TM that such a ferry network would not meet the needs of commuters because it does not correspond to the trajectory of the majority of commuting trips. This argument is invalid because it is based on reverse causation, namely, that people do not follow this trajectory because it is absent.

If an option to cross from one end to the other of the Valletta and Marsamxett harbours were available, people would adapt their journey accordingly.

Ferry transport provides a relaxing way to travel which is not subjectto rush hour traffic delays.

A harbour ferry service has been the subject of discussion for some years. More recently it was discussed in two think tank reports.

Malta’s current transport problems are the result of a persistent, decades-long, mono-modal transport policy which focussed solely on facilitation of private car traffic flow while neglecting public transport and other transport options.

It is now time to think out of the box.