Legal validation: 31/03/2011

Getting there

Reaching your destination sustainably. Look inside to find out how.

Introduction

In Malta, we have a range of transport options: both private and public. The most common private means of transport are cars; the most common public means of transport are buses. Cycling as a private means of transport is also on the increase slightly, though this is still seen more as a leisure or health activity, rather than as a functional means of reaching ones destinations. As for public transport, ferries are also very significant, particulary for the crossing between Malta and Gozo and vice versa. For many, the Gozo channel crossing is a daily or regular commute; for others it is (...) Read more

Walking and Cycling

Walking or cycling often not only gets you where you want to go faster than a car, particularly in traffic congested areas, but also protects you against a wide range of illnesses and also makes you feel better. These active transportation methods (as they are known) have no emission or pollution effects and you save a lot of money in fuel, transport fees and maintenance of your motorised vehicles. Taking a walk or cycling to your local grocery store can also be very invigorating before starting a hard day of work or a relaxing way to unwind (...) Read more

Buying and Owning a Car

As much as owning a car in Malta is considered a must, maintaining it in perfect condition for your own safety, that of your passengers and people on the road is essential. Moreover, with the ever-increasing prices of fuel, it is worth taking a look at new car engine power sources, new car functioning technologies and practical strategies for reducing fuel consumption. Read more

Urban Transport

There are over 400 million cars and light trucks in the world today. In Malta, 73% of the population own or make use of a car (National Statistics Office, 2009). There is a difference between males and females, with 84.2% of males compared to 61.5% of females owning or using a car. In addition, the car or motorcycle is the mode of transport used most both for going to work or school and for going out. Statistics confirm that Malta now has one of the highest levels of car ownership in Europe and traffic flow data clearly indicates that many of the primary roads regularly reach their (...) Read more

Alternative Fuel and Alternative Power Vehicles

An alternative fuel vehicle is a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than ’traditional’ fossil or petroleum fuels (petrol or diesel). These alternative fuels are called ’biofuels’. Biofuels, such as biodiesel and bioethanol, are made from plant materials like used vegetable oils, rape, wheat or sugar beet. Another biofuel is biogas, which is the gaseous product of the anaerobic digestion (decomposition without oxygen) of organic matter. It is also known as landfill gas or digester gas. Once upgraded to the required level of purity (and compressed or liquified), biogas can be used as an (...) Read more

Using Trains

Whilst in Malta the train is no longer an option as a means of transport, many of us can choose to use this service when travelling abroad. Instead of hiring a car or using air travel when travelling between regions or neighbouring countries it is often more sustainable to opt for the train. In general, rail travel is considered to be an environmentally-friendly means of transport. It is certainly less carbon-intensive than airplanes and less traffic-promoting than travelling by car. In fact, European trains use about seventeen times less fuel than airplanes and are five times more (...) Read more

Air Transport

Over the last half a century, air travel has grown rapidly; and it is envisaged that it will continue to increase, especially due to availability od low-cost flights. Whilst this may have a beneficial impact on the economy when considering all the jobs related to the industry, there are also a number of drawbacks. Noise pollution from airplanes is becoming increasingly unacceptable to those impacted by flight paths or who live in the vicinity of airports. Traffic congestion around airports is becoming more acute. Air pollution near airports and at the sensitive boundary between the (...) Read more

Children and Mobility

Physical activity is essential and for many Maltese children could easily be integrated with everyday routines like getting to school or going to after-school activities. Children could walk to school if it is in their same town or village. This gives them a sense of responsibility and independence. For those living far away from school, school transport or car sharing would dramatically reduce the number of cars and accidents on the road, the stress for parents trying to organise their day around pick-up times, as well as fuel costs and (...) Read more

Future of Mobility

Where is mobility heading? Competition has given rise to cheaper travel. Means of transportation are becoming faster, and ever more comfortable with free wireless connection among many other services on board. Meanwhile, work-from-home opportunities, video-conferencing and online services have proved to be cost-effective. But are there any negative aspects to all this progress? Read more