‘We’re already late’: Employers chief calls for cross-party mass transport agreement

President of the Malta Employers’ Association Ivan Refalo is calling for cross-party agreement on the way forward for a mass transport system in Malta.

Malta’s growing traffic problems have long been an issue of debate in the country, with the idea of a mass transportation system having been floated over the recent years, however plans remain on paper. The latest plans had resurfaced just before the general election was announced earlier this year, taking the form of a 24km light rail system which would start off with one line, connecting St Paul’s Bay to the Malta International Airport. Valletta, Qormi and Mater Dei Hospital. A slide presented during the minister's presentation showed that the line would be completed in 10-15 years. 

However recent revelations by the Finance Minister, that the cost of Malta’s energy and fuel subsidies for this year stands at €400 million, and that next year the cost is expected to be the same, have raised questions as to whether the idea of a mass transport system would again be shelved.

Asked ahead of the upcoming Budget whether, given the energy and fuel subsidies, now is the right time to continue talks about a mass transport system, or whether it should be shelved until later, Mr Refalo says: “We are already late.”

“We talk about it in each Budget, but unfortunately we don’t do much,” he says, in reference to the inaction on such a measure.

“This is something that needs cross party agreement,” he adds.

“With the way the population is increasing, we know the frustration people feel when trying to commute getting stuck in traffic and the effect this has. There needs to be a mature conversation, and the way forward agreed upon by both major political parties. Let’s stay away from populist decisions, but we need to act now.”

Through cross-party agreement, the solution will endure beyond individual legislatures, he explains, noting that such a project would not be complete within one legislature. “We encourage both parties to work together to find a real solution.”

He questions whether, with Malta’s population growth, what the situation would be like 10, 15 years down the line.

Malta Employers’ Association Director General Kevin J. Borg adds that the Malta in Motion strategy had good planning, but when it comes to the light rail system idea “which everyone is yearning for,” it had been put on the backburner “because ministers cannot agree whether it is affordable or not.”

“We know that it is not affordable, but what is affordable for a small country? Our small country carries a burden that bigger countries carry, such as security, like having an army, like having embassies abroad, having a Cabinet of I don't know how many ministers. We, as a small country, have to find the resources to do that because it is necessary. And we have come to a situation where even a mass transport system is necessary because our roads are bursting at the seams. We used to have a rush hour, but we don't have a rush hour anymore. It's all the time.”

Traffic issues in the country are also impacting job acceptances. Asked whether the association has heard from employers about any potential employees turning down jobs due to the commute, given the country’s traffic issues, Mr Borg says he has.

“These reports we have received relate to job offers, but also to existing jobs in the south of Malta in particular.” He adds that these are mainly young people who don’t know how to drive, but also others who do drive but don’t wish to spend so much time commuting between their home and place of work.

Solutions such as flexible working hours or working from home don’t really apply in these cases, he explains, “as we are talking about jobs in logistics, retail and also tourism, so they have to be physically present. We all know the traffic situation, especially during the morning and afternoon peak.” This, Mr Borg points out, is why the association continues to insist on the serious consideration of a mass transport system.  “We are aware of the cost, but some kind of solution needs to be found.”

Mr Refalo adds that in the past when someone would say it’s too far to commute from Hal Far to Mellieha, they would think of the situation overseas and see that the commute is nothing in comparison. But now, he says, as the years pass, the traffic situation is being felt more and more.

He adds that foreign nationals generally need to find somewhere to live that is close by to their place of work, he says, “because despite improvements made to the transport system, it is still not good enough.” He himself gets frustrated in traffic, he says, also having to leave for work early and many-a-time go home late.