Bus owners yesterday complained that the government had gone back on its promise to give them a 10-year contract on the public transport service when it recently announced they would have to bid for new bus routes under the reforms being planned by the government.

The association of bus drivers accused Transport Minister Austin Gatt of deceiving them.

Before the general election, it pointed out, the government had promised the association a 10-year contract, with compensation if it was not renewed. However, on Tuesday Dr Gatt told Parliament that a call for tenders would be issued by the end of July for the new routes in July as he gave details of the government's planned public transport reform.

The ministry yesterday said it could not award the contract that the association wanted because the EU had turned down the proposal. Instead, the government promised to compensate any of the association's members who would no longer work in public transport.

Still, the association complained of poor consultation, saying that only three meetings had been held about the matter.

"It clearly shows that the minister wants to create trouble especially since the bus owners have invested thousands of euro in this sector," the association said.

The ministry also reacted to this criticism, pointing out out that it had launched a reform consultation document and held a national conference last year.

The association took part and its comments were taken into consideration, the ministry added.

Last July bus owners had taken action over impending reforms when they went on a four-day strike which at some points became violent.