Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said this morning that the bus service in the first three months of this year made a 'profit' which was €200,000 higher than in the same period last year when the network was managed by Arriva.

Speaking on TVAM he said complaints were down by half and the number of passengers has increased, as had efficiency.

The bus service has, since January 1, been run by a company formed by Transport Malta.

Mr Mizzi said that there was strong interest in the call for expressions of interest for the running of the bus service, with local and foreign companies being involved. They included companies from Europe and beyond, he said. Many had a track record of experience in public transport. 

During the same discussion, PN spokesman Toni Bezzina said efficiency had not improved, to the extent that people had given up on complaining.

He said late services had been discontinued, and on many routes the elderly, instead of low floor buses, were now having to make do with mini-buses which they found difficulty to board.