Updated:
Eight consortia, including some of the biggest bus operators in Europe, have responded to a call for expressions of interest for the operation of the scheduled bus service in Malta.
The call was issued by the Infrastructure Ministry and the ADT as part of the reform of public transport.
The interested consortia include Arriva, which operates in 12 European countries, Transdev, which has operations in Australia, France, Germany and Portugal, Nex Continental, knoown in the US and the UK as National Express, FIN-PART, which include's Italy's SITA as well as the operators of transport systems in Madrid and Barcelona.
193 of Malta's bus owners have also teamed up to form part of one of the bidding consortia. Other local interested companies include Gasan, Paramount Garage and John's Garage.
The expressions of interest have been submitted by:
1. Transdev Consortium - Transdev, CVA Technology Company Ltd., Gee Five Ltd. (wholly owned subsidiary of Gasan Group Ltd.) and Leo's Transport Company Ltd (Paramount);
2. Empresa Monforte S.A. (part of Monbus Group of Companies) with La Hispano Igualadina S.A. (part of Monbus Group of Companies) Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid S.A. , FMC Motors Ltd;
3. FIN-PART S.p.a.- Arriva, Malta Land Transport Plc (which includes some half of the Maltese bus owners), Tumas Group,
4. Go Ahead Group Plc
5. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, Marfina Bus S.A., Transports Ciutat Comtal S.A.,
6.Llorente Bus / Avanza Group
7. NEX Continental Holdings SLU 8.
8. H-Bus Malta Consortium - Hungarian Bus Jarmukereskedelmi Zrt b, nter-Tan-Ker Tanacsado es Kereskedelmi Zrt c., John's Garage Ltd., International Machinery Ltd. Connect Point (Malta) Limited and AllSecure Ltd.
The Infrastructure Ministry expressed its satisfaction at the interest shown, and said this would make possible a complete reform of the sector with new services and better facilities for commuters.
It said the people would be served not only with a better service to Valletta but also services between towns. The new operation would include fast services between important destinations such as Birkirkara, the hospital, the airport, Rabat, Sliema and big car parks serviced with park and ride schemes.
Bus services would be operated more frequently and for longer hours.
The operators would be obliged to use low emission buses, maintained to high standards. The vehicles would be air conditioned and the drivers would wear uniforms.
The call for tenders will be issued in October.