If you want to travel faster, you are being encouraged to use a particular service provider, which is not Malta Public Transport. Vodafone is promoting its service thus: “If only traffic was as fast as our network.” And, focusing purely on the situation on our roads, so say all of us.

Some time ago, a top official at Transport Malta made a statement on TV that was understood to mean that the traffic congestions one very often experiences are no more than perceptions.

As far as is publicly known, that official remains at Transport Malta, as does its chairman and the Transport Minister. They have failed miserably in coming up with solutions without ever being held accountable.

Things are not likely to solve themselves, especially when we learn that at the end of this March licensed motor vehicles numbered 349,386 (up 0.7 per cent over the previous quarter), with almost eight of every 10 being passenger cars.

The European Union has just highlighted delays in Malta’s transport action plan, meant to have been completed last year. When The Malta Independent contacted Transport Malta, a spokesman replied that a strategy and action plan would soon be released for public consultation. However, no date was given.

It seems Transport Malta does not like committing itself to dates. But, then again, that could just be a perception. All we can do now is wait for the publication of the strategy and action plan.

We have been promised better roads, including big projects like the one in Kappara. That will, of course, help, though when work is in progress there is likely to be more traffic congestion, at least in the immediate surroundings, unless remedial action is taken to ease the flow.

But even beyond such projects there is more, a lot more, that needs to be done if we are not to have one big gridlock. The signs are already there. Long tailbacks are evident across the whole island any time during the day, throughout the whole week.

The situation on our roads is such that one can no longer wait for studies, public consultations, discussions and what have you. These are, of course, useful but what is immediately necessary is that urgent measures are taken to ensure that one gets from A to B safely and in the shortest time possible. Time spent in traffic jams is money down the drain. EU estimates put such costs at one to two per cent of GDP.

There are steps that can be taken without delay but there has to be resolve, even by politicians who may fear losing votes. The first thing to do is exercise strict discipline on the roads, which could range from towing away double-parked cars to not allowing parking on both sides in narrow roads.

Refuse collection must be done during the night as also should deliveries to outlets. Road works have to be minutely planned and odd jobs here and there that also slow down traffic need to be well coordinated.

The authorities must fall on Malta Public Transport like a ton of bricks to ensure they give commuters what they are paying for. All means of public transport must be considered and every incentive possible given.

These measures may not be much but, taken as a whole, are likely to make a difference. In the meantime, the big road network projects that can serve Malta well for the next 30-50 years could be taken in hand vigorously.