For the first time since autumn kicked in, traffic yesterday breezed through the normally heavily clogged arterial roads as schools closed for mid-term holidays.

“The worst traffic congestions are definitely found on schooldays,” Transport Minister Joe Mizzi told Times of Malta.

“But it doesn’t mean that whenever schools are closed, the problem is resolved.

“We’re examining a number of ways of ensuring children arrive at school on time and without adding to the congestion.”

We’ve also decreased the size of some roundabouts to allow for a better traffic flow

The government was engaged in discussions with experts and examining the concept of car pooling and the system through which children were transported to school, he said.

“We’re taking it very seriously. We’ve already effected some short-term modifications, such as signage and traffic lights.

“We’ve also decreased the size of some roundabouts to allow for a better traffic flow.”

The government, Mr Mizzi continued, has begun projects such as the one at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, which will now be followed by projects close to the Addolorata Cemetery and the Kappara junction.

“It’s also very important to ensure that public transport is accepted by the Maltese so that as much people as possible shift to making use of it.”

The new bus operator will take over in January, he added, but this will not lead to instant change. The plan was for the operator to gradually implement a programme with new routes chosen through public consultation. New vehicles will also be added.

“We’re moving forward although it doesn’t mean that the problem will be solved – Malta has an enormously high number of cars for the size of its roads. Therefore, in the long-term, we definitely need to be looking at other modes of transport, including sea transport.

“We’re also looking at having a feasibility study on the possibility of having an underground train.”

Across social media, discussion revolved around whether parents should keep using their own cars to drop off their children at school or whether more effort should be directed at sending children to school on a bus or van.

“When school transport is as safe as being in a parent’s car, yes gladly,” one mother wrote on Facebook discussion group The Salott.

“That is, when each child is strapped to their own car seat, bags are locked in the hold, an adult is supervising them to control bullying ­and when kids are picked up half an hour before school starts, not two hours before. No one enjoys driving in the morning. But until that happens, parents will keep driving their children to school, as is our legal right.”

A mother of two teenagers complained about reckless driving and rude behaviour on the part of some drivers.

“Some daily examples are: they drive through one-way streets to avoid traffic, speeding, they don’t stop at stop signs, use mobile phones, smoke and so on and so forth,” she wrote.

“This I vouch for. I reported the cases to their company and at times to the police too.

“When the authorities take serious action – and I mean serious action – one might consider using transport.”

This evening’s edition of Times Talk will discuss the traffic problem in Malta. Watch the programme live on TVM at 6.45pm.