Arriva said today that staffing difficulties caused delays and disruption of bus services this morning but it expects to recover service levels 'during the morning peak'.

"Arriva Malta would like to offer their sincere apologies to all affected customers and thank them for their patience if they have experienced delays today," the company said.

The company has been seeing driver shortfalls ever since it introduced the new service almost two weeks ago. It has since brought in 60 foreign drivers as well as a number of other support staff and subcontracted private companies to operate some of its routes. Commuters, however, have continued to report delays.

Drivers, meanwhile, have complained of long working hours, poor organisation and a lack of facilities for them at Valletta and other termini.

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