The government has twice threatened Arriva with cancelling the bus service contract, Transport Minister Austin Gatt reveals in an interview with The Sunday Times today.

“It’s still on the cards,” the minister says in a broad interview, in the wake of mounting criticism over the new service and ahead of a vote of no-confidence in him.

The interview was held last Thursday, before the minister announced a major overhaul of routes yesterday.

According to the contract, Arriva could start being fined by November 4 if it fails to abide by its obligations, says Dr Gatt. Admitting the new service is still disappointing, he says Arriva will be sending back the British controllers and increasing the number of buses.

Dr Gatt insists his ministry has assumed full responsibility for the routes it mapped out, and has now carried out the necessary changes.

Speaking about the political situation, the Nationalist veteran insists his comments were taken out of context when he recently said his party could be in government for another 20 years.

Asked whether his “arrogant” label could harm his party’s fortunes, Dr Gatt replies: “We’ve won two elections in the last 10 years with Austin Gatt being arrogant all the way. People don’t vote for Austin Gatt. The last election showed us how preconceptions go out of the window when election time comes.

“If PN plays its cards well in these last 18 months, it can still win the election.”