University students trying to catch the early morning bus direct to university from Attard frequently end up stranded or having to wait, sometimes for up to an hour, since the bus, route 810, which leaves from Dingli and passes through Rabat is frequently full up when it gets to Attard.

The demand for this direct bus service is there.

Public transport reduces traffic congestion and avoids extra car journeys if students have to get their parents to ferry them to university or have to drive themselves and add to the parking problem at university, not to mention adding to the traffic congestion in Attard itself.

Since Attard is one of the localities with a high population of university students, the transport authority (ADT) should consider introducing a direct service to Mater Dei and University which starts from Attard. This route is sorely needed.

This is just one example of the urgent need to get an effective and efficient public transport system in place. No amount of traffic control measures will succeed if the nearly total dependence on private cars for commuting remains. Whether we like it or not the car has taken over our streets and lives - nearly 300,000 cars on our roads is one of our biggest problems.