Being a worldwide successful bus company (except, unfortunately, in Malta), Arriva would not withdraw without its legal team extracting what was due to the company. Thus, in the coming months, the true facts of the termination will emerge.

The bill continues to get alarmingly bigger. Since the bendy buses were taken off the roads in August, no fares are paid when using the contracted buses because no ticket machines are installed.

I would estimate that between 10 and 15 bus companies have been contracted (including those offering mini-bus services). I can only surmise what this is costing the government.

Some of these buses are ill-equipped for public service because, to mention a few examples, they have no bells, no air conditioning, no supports for passengers to hold on to when entering/exiting and when standing. Where the buses have no bells, passengers must walk to the driver while the bus is in motion to ask him to stop.

Mini-buses are very prone to be a bumpy ride especially if one has to sit on a wheel. Also, passengers often have to open and close doors themselves.

It seems that a good number of the drivers who were handsomely paid off before Arriva took over are now driving these pre-Arriva buses again.

These buses require expert maintenance as they are visually depreciating at an alarming rate. The state of the roads does not help.

At this moment in time, the prospect of securing a good bus service would seem extremely bleak. Even at this early stage of the year, routes 12 and 13 are regularly standing room only at peak times, as I know from experience .

Interesting times lie ahead as the Easter season approaches.