Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1310476
8 OPINION 19.11.2020 I t is an undisputed fact that the island is facing serious mobility problems caused by more cars on the cluttered roads. Many point out that this is the result of new affluence. As the saying goes, motorists are the first to suffer the inconvenience of increased vehicular presence which is making commuting a daily nightmare. is is no exaggeration. Just reflect on studies which indi- cate commuters waste at least 30 minutes a day blocked in traffic. Nobody can in reality dispute the fact that the na- tion's productivity trajectory depends on having an efficient road infrastructure. Equally important is the fact that many of us do not walk as people walk in other coun- tries, if only we provide more harbour ferries, these would relieve the congestion if peo- ple walked to them rather than driving and expecting to find a parking space nearby. Much has been written about the frustration and inconven- ience caused by our gridlocked system but the dangerous levels of pollution must receive equal attention because it is contrib- uting to the early death of many of our citizens. e ministry in charge of infrastructure last year announced that studies are being carried out by Arup, a London-based engineering and consultancy firm, which has worked on some major global projects – including the Sydney Opera House, Silicon Valley headquarters of Apple, Etihad Stadium and the Lon- don Eye. One may comment that a mass public transportation sys- tem was a feature of the 2017 election campaign, with both Labour and PN pledging to conduct studies on the intro- duction of trains on the island. e good news is that within a short span of three years, all of the seven flyovers of the Marsa Junction Project (see picture) are now open to road users. e €70 million project is being heralded by the government as "facilitating direct, uninter- rupted connections between the major routes converging at the busiest intersection of the South bound road network". Time will tell if the new struc- ture does eventually reduce travel time and the carbon footprint. In our hectic life, few stop and contemplate how the proliferation of traffic is the re- flection of acquired affluence by workers who are finding good jobs and have a higher propensity to spend on enter- tainment, food, mobile teleph- ony. Certainly, cheap bank loans also help drivers to buy an- other imported car. As can be expected, the Opposition disa- grees. It laments that the per- ceived affluence is paper thin and wealth distribution is not equitable. A PN spokesman conjures a vision of poverty traps hidden behind the lure of statistics. ey fear that improvements in the economic growth is not percolating down to grassroots level, saying the working poor hypothesis has crept in. Gov- ernment hits back by saying it increased minimum wage by 25% over the past six years and is currently paying €40 million monthly to save the jobs which are furloughed till March next year. It is a dichotomy that while the economy is crippled by the pandemic and obviously not firing on all cylinders (public debt up to 56% of GDP) yet there are still a number of ob- servers (mainly from the med- ical profession) who prescribe another national lockdown is the only cure to stem galloping infections. e prime minister disagrees, rebutting that the Covid 19 situation is under control. Per- haps the silver lining is that due to a 75% drop in tourist arriv- als, we are enjoying cleaner air from reduced car emissions. Still the congestion in traffic does not seem to go away. is dilemma has been the focus of both political parties who each extol their heartfelt wishes wanting to solve the problem. It was no surprise, that a mass public transportation system was a feature of the last election campaign, with both Labour and PN pledging to conduct studies on how best to solve the issue. Since 2013, one can remember various sound bites from lobbyists proposing the construction of the monorail system. is, involves adding both overground and under- ground lines running North- South and West-East, inter- secting at key traffic junctions and feeding at its various stops into other aboveground public transport means. Previous studies had esti- mated the cost of the 70km service line will reach €1.42 billion (equal to 7 years' worth in cohesion funds). Not a small ticket for a tiny economy with a mere €12.4 billion annual GDP and a current €1220 million an- nual deficit. e government, while keeping its cards close to its chest, contends that stud- ies indicate a metro system is only sustainable with a higher population otherwise the fare needs to be subsidized out of increased taxation. In the monorail sphere, many systems are popular such as the Maglev model which uses an advanced technology in which magnetic forces lift, pro- pel, and guide a vehicle over a guide-way. Another option is the hybrid system of buses and rail proposed by Bjorn Bonello, a planning consultant. Which- ever, model is chosen, one has to make certain that stations are located close to residential areas otherwise no one will use them. e million-dollar question is who will foot the bill? Perhaps the answer is in the air when one contemplates the financial assistance that China is reput- ed to offer to friendly coun- tries. is package is part of its policy to help countries which sign up to the initiative name- ly the "One Belt and One Road (OBOR). Historically, one recalls how over the past centuries trade flourished code-named the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that linked China to Central Asia and the Arab world. Bil- lions of dollars have been in- vested by China with an econ- omy currently fully recovered from Covid 19. is policy was launched in 2013 assisting over 60 coun- tries, in a range of infrastruc- ture projects including rail- ways, bridges, roads and ports. e Economist reported how recently Italy's government launched a "Task Force China" to develop a national strategy to boost economic and trade relations with China and guar- antee itself a "position of lead- ership in Europe". is initiative is expected to increase exports from Italy to Asia and attract much needed inward investment in a country plagued by high national debt. Malta may also benefit, if it boldly embarks on this ambi- tious roadmap to attract China investment in a country-wide mass transit infrastructure. Fortune favours the bold so can we strike while the iron is hot? A commuting nightmare to boot George Mangion George Mangion is a senior partner of an audit and consultancy firm, and has over 25 years experience in accounting, taxation, financial and consultancy services. His efforts have seen PKF being instrumental in establishing many companies in Malta and ensured PKF become one of the foremost professional financial service providers on the Island