Talks on the tariff structure of the new bus service are still in progress with the preferred bidder, Autobuses de Leon of Spain, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said.

He was replying to a question in Parliament by Nationalist MP Toni Bezzina on whether a new tariff structure would be introduced. He also asked for details on how it would work.

Earlier, Mr Mizzi said he had needed to join a technical delegation to Spain in July to assess the bid to run Malta’s bus service as he “wanted to avoid any surprises like those encountered by the previous administration”.

Mr Mizzi said that he was taking a personal interest and wanted to verify that the Spanish company had the technical capacity to provide the service as expressed in its bid.

Mr Mizzi’s presence in Madrid, before the official announcement that the Spanish company had been shortlisted, raised eyebrows in the sector and was highly criticised by the Opposition.

Island Malta Buses Ltd – the other major bidder, which comprises local bus owners – was surprised that talks had started before the preferred bidder was announced.

Pressed to justify his presence in a technical evaluation delegation and asked whether this violated the conditions of the expression of interest, Mr Mizzi defended his actions, saying they respected the conditions laid down by Transport Malta.

He said Transport Malta had the right to appoint people to inspect the operations, facilities and quality control processes employed by all the bidders.

“This visit was one of a technical nature to verify what has been offered in the bid,” he insisted.

A few weeks ago The Sunday Times of Malta confirmed negotiations with the Spanish company were close to conclusion and that the company was expected to start offering its Maltese service next year.

Both State subsidies and bus fares are expected to increase as part of this deal.

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