Three companies submitted bids to operate the bus service by the closing of the call for expressions of interest today, the Transport Ministry said.
Another submission came after the deadline closed.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said the bids would be evaluated with a view to selecting a serious company which could provide a sustainable, dependable, efficient bus service which would meet the people's expectations.
The minister also said in parliament that Malta Transport, currently running the bus service, in the first three months of this year had revenue of €4,295,492 of which €4,285,170 came from bus ticket sales.
Operating expenses in January and February amounted to €7,272,138. Costs in March are still being calculated.
He was replying to a question by Nationalist MP Toni Bezzina.