Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544495
17 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 APRIL 2026 FEATURE Malta's traffic problem transport. From cycling to using the buses and harbour ferries, I discovered a different Malta. This is After a few minutes of waiting, the bus came, and I sat down and looked out of the window like the passenger princess I was. I quickly realised that one of the things I missed from the bus was listening to what people are talking about. It didn't take long for people to start complaining about the bus service and its delays. The subject quickly shifted to complaining about foreigners, but that's a matter for another time. On the journey, our driver informed us that he couldn't pass through the regular route due to an accident in Fgura. While that didn't affect my jour- ney, I would imagine those waiting for the 120 bus in Fgura were less pleased after their ride never showed up. Personally, my bus ride was calm and predictable. I arrived in San Ġwann ex- actly as I had predicted and didn't get stuck in traffic. However, this journey took me an hour, double the time of my car jour- ney. THE FERRY AND THE BUS The ferry, is a mode of transport I rarely use. I never worked in Valletta, Sliema, or any other locality where it operates. Here too, I used my Tal-Linja card as the harbour ferry is free for card hold- ers. To get to Bormla, I carpooled with my father who uses the ferry regularly, and the boat arrived right on time. The view of the Grand Harbour on an early morning was spectacular. The sun was hovering just above Fort St Angelo, the seagulls too were making their commute, and I was happy to be taking it all in. We crossed the harbour in 10 minutes, after which I made my way to the bus terminal to catch the bus to San Ġwann. Luckily, I arrived just before the bus opened its doors, and the ride to work was short and traffic-free. This, however, was the longest com- mute, taking me an hour and 20 min- utes to reach my workplace in San Ġwann from Żabbar. THE BICYCLE My experience riding a bicycle to and from work is the most surreal I've ever had on Maltese roads. After getting a rental bike and helmet from San Ġwann's The Cyclist, I took some practice runs to get acclimatised with the bicycle. Like Żiżża suggested, I had a coffee before the journey and set off from Żabbar. Until I reached Marsa, the journey was serene and easy as I had a few downhill roads in front of me. From Marsa to San Ġwann, I had to ride through busier roads with cars and trucks squeezing past me from behind. During such instances I understood the true meaning of the lyrics, "My car is my sanctuary." But amazingly, I made it to the office in just under 40 minutes. This means that I would have arrived sooner at my workplace with the bicycle rather than my car if there was heavy traffic on the roads. MORAL OF THE STORY What started as a song about traffic turned into a different personal under- standing of the roads I travel through every day. There is no perfect way to commute; only trade-offs we often accept with- out question. But stepping outside my routine made one thing clear—our dependence on cars is not always the most practical choice, even if it feels like the easiest. If I can share one nugget of wisdom I gained through this experiment, it's that just because we think our car of- fers the quickest and most comfortable commute, it isn't always the case. Personally, the experience made me aware of how convenient, stress-free, and at times fun certain alternative modes of transport can be, and I know for a fact that this won't be the last time I will swap my car keys for my Tal-Lin- ja Card. If I can share one nugget of wisdom I gained through this experiment, it's that just because we think our car offers the quickest and most comfortable commute, it isn't always the case Until I reached Marsa, the journey was serene and easy as I had a few downhill roads in front of me. From Marsa to San Gwann, I had to ride through busier roads with cars and trucks squeezing past me from behind The ferry, is a mode of transport I rarely use. I never worked in Valletta, Sliema, or any other locality where it operates