The government has concluded a €2.4 million deal with a UK company to lease 45 brand new air-conditioned buses for a year as part of Malta’s public transport system.

The deal, arranged directly with the UK firm without a call for tenders, angered potential bidders for the service. An expression of interest issued for the public transport concession closes tomorrow.

Sources close to potential bidders, which include the Unscheduled Bus Service, said that the deal on the eve of the privatisation of the public transport system was “unacceptable” as it would burden winners of the concession with substantial added costs.

Confirming the deal yesterday, a government spokeswoman told The Sunday Times of Malta that the lease was necessary to meet demand which is expected to increase, particularly in summer.

More in The Sunday Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

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