Preferred bus service bidder wants better roads

The location of bus stops and the quality of roads are some of the technical issues being discussed between the government and the preferred bidder to run the bus service, The Times has learnt.

“The chosen company will incur penalties for tardiness so they are surveying every road and bus stop indicating improvements to help them make the journey on time,” Transport Minister Austin Gatt said when asked about the progress of negotiations, which started soon after the Arriva Consortium was chosen as preferred bidder in July.

Dr Gatt would not say when the technical negotiations are expected to end, however, the level of detail being discussed may mean the government’s self-imposed September deadline will be missed.

When the preferred bidder was announced, the Transport Ministry said the new system was expected to be rolled out by March, six months after negotiations are concluded.

The consortium is made up of Arriva International Ltd – a British company employing more than 42,000 people across 12 countries – as well as Tumas Group, which owns 33 per cent.

Arriva was taken over by German state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn last month, a move company officials said would have no impact on the Malta bid.

The 10-year public transport contract should result in a revamped service, which the government hopes will encourage more people to use buses.