Pulse And SDM Both Release Park-And-Ride Proposals To Tackle Parking Problems At University

With just two days left before the University of Malta’s student council elections, the two competing student organisations have both suggested a form of park-and-ride system to ease the massive problem of parking at university.

Returning to the game after a three-year hiatus, Pulse’s system would see a minivan drive around three central locations within 15-minutes walking distance of university, picking up students parking outside campus and giving them an organised version of the very-Maltese offer: “ejja, ħa naqtak ftit!”

The van would pass from Msida, San Ġwann and Swatar at “peak hours”.

On the other hand, SDM’s proposal would form a hub much further from campus, with dozens of cars parking in, say, Ta Qali (the current location being used for their pilot version of the initiative) and one bus leaving the hub with all the student passengers every hour.

Both organisations will be offering this service as a one-off test ahead of Wednesday’s election in the hopes of showing off the proposal’s effectivity as well as learning how to properly implement and improve it should they get elected.

Pulse’s trial started today, while SDM’s Let’s Move campaign will be in action on Wednesday 25th.

While the proposals tackle the issue of parking on campus, which many of us who studied there know to be a huge deal, some online comments pointed out the fact that these projects would not be reducing the ever-growing number of cars on our roads and only encouraging more drivers. 

“This is like putting a plaster on a bleeding artery. We don’t need more cars.”

These two proposals are part of a group of transport-related proposals by both sides. Pulse’s full manifesto can be found here, and SDM’s here.

What do you think of the proposals?

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