Transport Minister Joe Mizzi yesterday denied the private company that bought the bendy buses has violated the conditions set in its expression of interest.

Instead, he insisted the deal was still valid according to legal advice given by Malta Public Transport Ltd’s lawyer, the former Nationalist MP George Hyzler.

“The bid we chose was by far the most advantageous and our lawyer told us we can still strike a deal with the private company,” the minister said.

Asked to justify why the new owners were given a €200,000 discount on their original bid if they chose to scrap the buses instead of exporting them, Mr Mizzi refused to explain but said this was done on Dr Hyzler’s legal advice.

Contacted by this newspaper, Dr Hyzler confirmed he had given this advice but would say no more due to professional secrecy.

Earlier this week, Times of Malta reported various transport companies that had submitted bids, or were in the process of submitting their interest, were furious when they learnt the original expression of interest conditions were “thrown out of the window”.

The conditions, seen by this newspaper, stated the buses had to leave Malta within four weeks from the signing of the award.

Bidders were also asked to write where they would ship the buses on presentation of their bid.

More on the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.