The government has engaged a private security company to reinforce inspections on the buses, checking drivers’ behaviour and whether passengers are paying their fares.

The company is providing about 10 people a day on morning and afternoon shifts for a period of two months, although this number is reviewed every week, a Transport Ministry spokeswoman said.

The measure was taken “to increase the effectiveness and the number of inspections being made, particularly on revenue control and driver behaviour”, she said.

The engagement, however, has raised questions among regular inspectors employed by Malta Public Transport Services.

“We cannot understand what is going on,” one of the inspectors told Times of Malta. “The company is losing millions every month and the government has recruited more people, raising costs. We were doing our duties very well and there was no need for these extra personnel,” another said.

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