Photo: Jason Borg

I refer to the preferred bidder to run Malta’s new bus service, Autobuses de Leon.

Having searched for information on this company it would appear that they are a suburban small outfit running 14 bus routes, with limited buses and personnel. Malta runs about 90 routes.

The question would therefore be: has Joe Mizzi signed a contract with them or with a larger parent company?

Regardless, there are many questions that need to be addressed.

It would seem very unlikely that much will change.

I cannot envisage any of the present bus contracts or personnel being replaced. Autobuses De Leon do not have sufficient buses nor drivers to send to Malta. It would therefore appear that Transport Malta will still be in charge and overseeing all bus operations.

Autobuses de Leon may be a minor shareholder with minimum clout. Their name may be highlighted in certain areas for publicity reasons.

The main changes will of course be a rise in bus fares and, perhaps, a new banner name.

Plan C could well be another smokescreen, which still does not address the fundamental transport problems.

Time will tell whether or not my scepticism is justified. This time, I would be pleased to be proved wrong.