Bus breakdowns, faulty ticketing machines and non-functioning destination displays were described as “teething troubles” by Arriva that took over the operation of the public transport service on Sunday.

The service started off with huge obstacles to an efficient delivery as 70 drivers did not turn up for the first day of work on Sunday leading to delays. The number of no-shows dropped to 56 on Monday but the company remained operating at a handicap and delays continued.

However, apart from the sudden lack of staff, a range of other problems cropped up. Onboard ticketing machines did not work, six buses broke down and bendy buses struggled to make it through roads, with one getting stuck near Mater Dei Hospital and another having to be towed.

Apart from that, the display screens on some buses did not work, adding to the confusion also caused by the fact that the routes displayed on the side of a bus did not necessarily reflect its destination.

An Arriva spokesman said all buses had been given a proper running in. Given the size of the bus fleet (264 vehicles) the number of breakdowns and problems with ticket machines was not worrying for the company and these were “ordinary teething troubles”. The problems were more visible as all the fleet was out at once.

The main problems with the bendy buses, the spokesman explained, was illegal parking that caused obstructions when negotiating a bend.

Regarding route branding on the side of buses, the company’s priority was getting buses out there at the moment and not matching the bus with the route.

While the situation seemed to have improved yesterday, with fewer people seen queuing for buses, it is not clear whether this was due to improved efficiency or because some people gave up on using the service.

Arriva staff worked full force to try and solve the problems. Some 55 British drivers arrived in Malta and are being trained to stand in for the 56 drivers who did not show up.

The Maltese drivers who did not report for work objected to the rosters they said were handed out to them in the last minute. They refused to work split shifts and insisted on eight-hour shifts. Last week, the General Workers’ Union reached an agreement with Arriva whereby the shifts will be revised by July 17.

In a media update issued at 4 p.m. yesterday, Arriva director Piers Marlow said: “With the exception of some early technical difficulties in Floriana, which we overcame during the course of the morning, we have run on every route, with a more even spread of service, although with fewer journeys in some cases.

“The general feedback we have had so far today is that there were visible improvements on yesterday’s services but Arriva Malta acknowledges that in certain areas there were delays and longer waiting times.”

The Malta Employers’ Association condemned the unofficial industrial action taken by the 56 drivers.

Many commuters to Valletta took advantage of the new Home-To-Work Connect offered by Coop Services.