Over 150 drivers, owners and other employees in the public transport sector sought information on working conditions during a meeting held on Wednesday by Transdev Plus, one of the five consortia bidding for the bus service contract.

In this information session, held at the Golden Sands Hotel, in Għajn Tuffieħa, was addressed by Joe Gasan, from Gasan Group, and Francisco Luciano from Transdev.

The consortium consists of Transdev, a leading French transport company with global operations, CVA Technology Company Ltd, operators of the Valletta vehicle access system, Gee Five Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gasan Group Ltd, and Leo's Transport Company Ltd (Paramount Garage).

Sources said several among those present raised questions about their future. One predominant issue was employment conditions. This concern, the sources added, was addressed through "various convincing examples and tangible proposals" drawing on Transdev's strengths.

Mr Luciano was reported saying during the meeting that Transdev offered opportunities of employment, training and other possibilities of career progression for those employ-ed.

Those present were briefed about the global presence of Transdev, which, Mr Luciano pointed out, always sought the partnership of local players to build systems and deliver a service based on the needs of the community it operated in.

Transdev is present in a number of European countries, employs over 46,000 people and handles in excess of two billion passengers a year.