Arriva Malta’s managing director Richard Hall has resigned and will be taking on a job elsewhere, the company has confirmed.

Mr Hall was Arriva’s third managing director since the company took over the public transport service two years ago, amid controversy and complaints of shoddy service.

Mr Hall will be replaced by Mark Bowd, who has been engaged with Arriva Malta for several months.

The company said he would continue pushing forward the business and building on the strong foundations and progress achieved so far in delivering the public transportation system.

Mr Hall made an appearance on State television on Tuesday where he announced that the company was looking at introducing double-decker buses, which are narrower and could manoeuvre better around Malta’s roads. He said their introduction depended on the infrastructure.

The first route buses to be introduced in Malta in 1905 were actually double-deckers and served irregularly between Valletta and St Julian’s.

Former London double-deckers were introduced a few years ago as unscheduled tour buses.

Arriva Malta is under pressure to replace bendy buses on some routes but Mr Hall defended their use. He said they were here to stay because they were major people-movers that helped to ease congestion.

Former Arriva managing director Richard Hall. Photo: Jason Borg